GEORGE TOWN: Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus) plans to acquire 1,600 electric buses in stages by 2031 to replace some of the existing diesel buses in the Rapid KL and Rapid Penang networks.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the first phase involved acquiring 250 electric buses at a cost of RM200 million, comprising 175 for Rapid KL and 75 for Rapid Penang.
He said the procurement by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s (Prasarana) subsidiary was part of the government’s efforts to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon public transport system, in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the National Transport Policy 2019–2030.
“The first stage involves the acquisition of 150 electric buses, with 40 allocated to Rapid Penang and 110 to Rapid KL. Deliveries began in June 2026 and are scheduled to take place in stages until the end of this year.
“The second stage involves the remaining 100 buses, with 35 allocated to Rapid Penang and 65 to Rapid KL. Deliveries for this stage are expected to begin in stages in January next year and are targeted for completion by March 2027,” he said at a press conference after launching Rapid Penang’s electric buses at the Weld Quay Depot here today.
The event was also attended by Prasarana chairman Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad.
To support the operation of the buses, Loke said 150 charging units would be installed at nine depots, including three in Penang, for the first stage, while another 100 units would be provided at six depots, including two in Penang, for the second stage.
As of Oct 13, Rapid Bus had received 52 electric buses under the first phase, comprising 37 in Kuala Lumpur and 15 in Penang. The remaining buses would be delivered in stages according to the set schedule, he said.
Of the 15 buses received by Rapid Penang, 14 were 8.25-metre buses and one was a 12-metre bus. They would be deployed for services on the island and in Seberang Perai, he added.
Loke said the launch of Rapid Penang’s first electric bus service today marked a new era for the state’s public transport system, in line with efforts to gradually replace its existing fleet with newer, more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Meanwhile, he said Rapid Penang would play an important role in complementing the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project once it was completed, particularly in strengthening public transport connectivity across the state.
“Of course, Rapid Penang, as the provider of stage bus services in Penang, needs to play a supporting role to ensure that first-mile and last-mile connectivity and other aspects can be improved, complementing this transport system,” he said.