Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is set to significantly expand its fleet of electric buses as part of a broader effort to improve public transportation services and increase its share of daily commuters, according to president and group chief executive Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah. The announcement comes in response to recent remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who highlighted the country’s lagging public transport usage as a major concern.
In a post shared on Facebook, Zahid says Malaysia’s public transport usage currently stands at just 25%, contrasting other cities like Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore, which boasts rates above 60%. He also warned that the reliance on private vehicles, with 38.7 million cars registered by the end of 2024, is not only straining infrastructure but also “diminishing quality of life.”
In addressing the issue, Azharuddin stated that Prasarana had promptly presented its full infrastructure improvement agenda to the government following Zahid’s comments. Central to that plan is the electrification of its bus fleet. “The number of buses will be increased, with a focus on electric buses,” Azharuddin said.
The push for electrification aligns with the national objective of raising public transportation’s modal share to 40% by 2030. Azharuddin believes these developments form part of a systematic and actionable plan that can help reverse current trends. “We are working closely with the Housing and Local Government Ministry to upgrade bus stations and pedestrian facilities for better access,” he added.
Other initiatives in the pipeline include more dedicated bus lanes, while the Shah Alam ALRT line is also expected to be completed soon. Azharuddin added that Prasarana is aiming to grow its daily ridership from 1.3 million to 1.5 million by 2026.
(Source: The Star)
