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Rapid Penang

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Rapid Penang
Weld Quay Bus Terminal in George Town, Penang
ParentPrasarana Malaysia
Founded31 July 2007
HeadquartersGeorge Town
Service areaGeorge Town Conurbation
Service typePublic bus
Routes47
Fleet350 buses[1]
Annual ridership16,270,231 (2024)[2]
OperatorRapid Bus
Websitehttps://myrapid.com.my/bus-train/rapid-penang/

Rapid Penang (stylised as rapidPenang) is a public bus brand operating within the George Town Conurbation in Malaysia. Established in 2007 as a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia, it serves as the main public transport system within the state of Penang, with routes extending into neighbouring towns in Kedah and Perak. Rapid Penang forms part of Rapid Bus, which also operates public bus services across the Klang Valley and Kuantan.

As of 2025, Rapid Penang's fleet comprises 350 buses operating on a total of 47 routes throughout the conurbation. Additionally, since 2024, Rapid Penang has been expanding its demand-responsive transport (DRT) service, with a fleet of 17 vans to address last mile connectivity at specific locations within Penang.

History

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Prior to the introduction of Rapid Penang in 2007, public bus services in Penang had been run by several competing private operators. The operators were plagued by fragmented zoning, inadequate asset maintenance and financial mismanagement.[3][4]

In 2004, the Yellow Bus Company, one of the largest public bus operators in the state, abruptly ceased operations due to a price war and financial losses.[5][6][7] The continued deterioration of Penang's bus operators prompted the state government to intervene. Under Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon, the state government in 2006 attempted to revive the public bus system by rezoning routes to designated operators.[3][8] This proved unsuccessful, forcing Koh to seek assistance from the Malaysian federal government.[4][8][9]

In 2007, Prasarana Malaysia, a government-owned company, launched Rapid Penang.[4][9] While some quarters within Penang voiced their objections to the federal takeover of the state's public transportation, Koh's administration defended the move, arguing that federal expertise and financial resources were necessary to improve the public bus system.[10][11] Rapid Penang initially began its services on 31 July that year with a fleet of 150 buses.[3][12] Of the 150 buses, 110 were allocated to George Town to service five corridors, while the remaining 40 buses were assigned to Seberang Perai 's three corridors.[3] In 2013, Rapid Penang, along with Rapid KL and Rapid Kuantan, was merged into Rapid Bus. While the Rapid Penang brand is retained, its assets and staff were transferred to the newer entity.[13]

As of 2025, Rapid Penang 's fleet consists of 350 buses operating on a total of 47 routes across the George Town Conurbation.[1][14] In 2024, a demand-responsive transport (DRT) service was introduced in George Town. This service adopts a ridesharing model akin to Grab, aimed at improving last mile connectivity at areas not accessible by conventional buses.[15] A total of 17 vans were originally deployed at selected suburbs.[16][17] Rapid Penang has plans to further expand the DRT, with an addition of 21 vans scheduled by June 2025.[17]

Routes

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See also: List of bus routes in Penang

As of 2025, Rapid Penang operates 47 routes across the George Town Conurbation, with some extending into neighbouring Kedah and Perak. Of the 47 routes, 26 are within George Town and 15 are in Seberang Perai. There are two cross-strait routes connecting the two cities. The remaining four routes are interstate services that link Seberang Perai with nearby towns in Kedah and Perak.[14]

Since 2024, Rapid Penang has been expanding its DRT service by deploying vans to address last mile connectivity at specific areas of George Town, such as Ayer Itam, Paya Terubong, Tanjong Tokong, Tanjong Bungah, Bayan Lepas, Jelutong and the city centre.[16][17] In 2025, the service was extended to the mainland, covering Butterworth and Seberang Jaya.[18]

Fleet

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As of 2025, Rapid Penang's fleet consists of 350 buses.[1] As with other Prasarana brands such as Rapid KL and Rapid Kuantan, Rapid Penang's bus fleet is managed by Rapid Bus.

Model Image Year Introduced Bodywork Unit Introduced Notes/Comments
Dong Feng 2007 Scomi Coach (Formerly MTrans) 3 Used for training purposes
Higer 2007 SKS Bus, BadanBas, Pioneer 40 Partially retired
King Long 2007 DRB-Hicom Defense Technology 40 Partially retired
Scania K270UB 2009 DRB-Hicom Defense Technology 30 (12m)
170 (10.5m)
Scania K250UB 2013 DRB-Hicom Defense Technology, Gemilang Coachworks 120[19]
Alexander Dennis Enviro500 2016, 2022 3 (with an additional 30 added in 2017)[20] "Due to operational reasons, RapidPenang’s fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMCs have been transferred to RapidKL's fleet"

Was used for routes 101, 102 and 301 on Penang Island

Reintroduced in February 2022 for routes 301 and 302.[21]

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 2017 ? Transferred to RapidKL's fleet
Hino Poncho 2021 Trialing on route 11 and route 201.
2024 In service as part of the DRT fleet

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c McIntyre, Ian (31 October 2023). "Rapid Penang to launch demand response transit early next year". The Vibes. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Ridership". Rapid Bus Performance Update. RapidKL. 21 February 2025. Archived from the original on 3 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Bagheri, Younes (January 2010). "Public transportation modelling to determine the performance of bus services: Case study of Penang Island" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  4. ^ a b c "Rapid KL solution for Penang bus woes". The Star. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  5. ^ Ng, Su-Ann (2 January 2004). "End of the road for Yellow Bus after 58 years". The Star. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  6. ^ "MESYUARAT KEDUA PENGGAL PERTAMA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG KESEBELAS". Penang State Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  7. ^ Sharom, Noorashikin (2014). "The roles of Rapid Penang towards sustainability public transportation in Penang" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  8. ^ a b Singh, Sharanjit (2 April 2006). "Tempers fray over the new bus system". New Straits Times. p. 25. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b Ahmad, Moaz Yusuf (19 December 2007). "Bus wars in Penang reflect poor planning". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  10. ^ Veranggan, Athi (27 February 2007). "Penang's 'outsider' bus service draws flak". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  11. ^ Veranggan, Athi (4 April 2007). "State government defends RapidPenang's entry" (PDF). Malaysiakini. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  12. ^ Opalyn Mok (1 July 2013). "Rapid Penang rolls on under Rapid Bus". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  13. ^ Opalyn Mok (1 July 2013). "Rapid Penang rolls on under Rapid Bus". Malay Mail. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Rapid Penang - Bus". MyRapid. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  15. ^ Edmund Lee (2 November 2023). "DRT service to be launched in Penang next year". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  16. ^ a b McIntyre, Ian (19 August 2024). "Penang to Introduce E-Hailing Van Service to Ease Traffic Congestion". The Vibes. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  17. ^ a b c Opalyn Mok (24 April 2025). "Rapid Penang Rolls Out On-Demand Vans in George Town, Jelutong and Bayan Lepas from This Saturday to Tackle Congestion". Malay Mail. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Rapid Bus to launch three new routes, enhance On-Demand service with extra vans in Penang from March 15". Malay Mail. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Additional 120 buses for Rapid Penang - Prasarana". Bernama. Factiva. 11 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Firm adds 30 more double-decker buses to its fleet - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Rapid Penang Provides Double Decker Bus Service Starting 1 Feb 2022". Penang Foodie. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
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