Rapid Manjung, the public bus service operator for Manjung District, was officially launched on Friday, March 16 by Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. The launching ceremony was held at Lumut Maritime Square.
The initiative, an integral part of the National Blue Ocean Strategy blueprint, was made possible by the state government with the collaboration of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Manjung Municipal Council.
There are ten shuttles in the first phase covering two specific routes, averaging 45 minutes each way. The routes are: Manjung to TLDM Lumut (22km) and Manjung City Loop (31km). The Manjung City Loop covers schools, market, hospital, government buildings, recreational spots and residential areas.
Operating since the beginning of March, members of the public got to ride the buses for free during the first month.
“We believe an efficient, conducive and comfortable transportation system would help promote socio-economic growth in the district,” said Mohd Azam Omar, the chief executive officer of Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd.
“The Rapid programme was first introduced about three years ago in Kamunting, Larut, Matang and Selama District and Manjung is the second district in Perak to have it. In Ipoh, we’ve Perak Transit. We plan to provide more of such systematic and efficient transportation services in other densely-populated towns, such as Bagan Datuk and Teluk Intan,” Zambry told reporters.
Mei Kuan
