The Sarawak Government through the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) has decided to extend the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme until 2025 which among others, offer a flat rate for Kuching bus services.
Initially started in 2020, the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme involved 11 bus companies within Sarawak in Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu.
According to the news report by Borneo Post which quoted a statement from the Ministry of Transport Sarawak, the program had seen an increase in bus ridership since its inception.
The report said that the increase was from 209,055 in 2021 to 364,725 in 2023, about 75 per cent in increase, with Kuching having the highest number of ridership.
Another report by Borneo Post in October 2023 mentioned that almost nine million users had used the bus service since 2020.
Smaller radius for service
However, as the Ministry of Transport Sarawak extends the duration of the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme, it has also decided to reduce the distance of coverage.
This will directly impact the rates offered by Kuching Bus services as well.
From 1 January 2024, only bus services within 40KM of the city centre would be covered by the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme.
This is to improve the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme’s cost-effective approach as it works towards achieving goals.
The new model will also see all 11 bus companies under the current programme invited to participate with the Sarawak government now waiting for their confirmation of participation.
Improving frequency and punctuality
In October 2023, Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin was quoted as saying by MalayMail that the government is keen to make sure the bus service in Sarawak was improved.
He was stated as saying that the services should be frequent and punctual, adding that there is no point to encourage people to use public transport if the bus service is not frequent and punctual.
To address this issue, Lee also suggested that dedicated bus lanes be introduced within Sarawak, similar to what had been done for the up-coming Autonomous Rapid Transport (ART) vehicle.
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