The Selangor state government has announced that it will be launching an app that aims to solve the issue of last-mile connectivity in public transportation. The app will provide van service commuters for users to reach places that aren’t connected via buses or trains.
Calling the service demand-responsive transit (DRT) vans, Ng Sze Han, state executive councillor for public transport said that it would be introduced in the first quarter of 2023. Under the state’s RM25 million Selangor Mobility initiative, RM3 million has been allocated for this smart routing app.
In an interview with The Vibes, Ng said:
“It will navigate the narrow and concentrated commercial zones and housing areas at pick-up points, unlike buses, which can’t serve some sections”
The DRT vans will provide commuting services in a 5km to 8km radius in six localities, each of which will offer van transit hubs. Local councils that will have the services are Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Klang Municipal Council, Selayang Municipal Council, Petaling Jaya City Council, Subang Jaya City Council, and Shah Alam City Council — a trial run will possibly be run in Bandar Baru Puchong in February.
Test run provider Kumpool Ride said that trial runs for DRT vans have started since April in Petaling Jaya, Cyberjaya, and Subang Jaya with a recorded usage of around 273,000 passengers with 182000 trips, or a ratio of 1.5 pax per booking. Kumpool only charges RM1 for its van e-hailing service and in October, it expanded its services to Wangsa Maju and Setapak in collaboration with Rapid KL.
Ng confirmed that the DRT vans won’t be free like the Smart Selangor buses, but assured that the service will still be heavily subsidised and have reasonable prices. Kumpool Ride’s head Chun Hean Goh said that its pilot run has seen an average customer retention rate of 60%, improving first- and last-mile connectivity by 80% to 90%.
The state exco added that the DRT concept won’t be limited to vans, hinting at a possible expansion to other transport modes in the future. It’s unclear whether Kumpool will be the exclusive service provider for the state’s app or other e-hailing firms will be joining when it launches.
(Source: The Vibes)
