The nature of public transportation in KL and the Klang Valley continues to change. After the rise in toll charges and LRT fares, and amist the ongoing strife between traditional taxi concessionaires and ridesharing apps like Uber and GrabCar, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has announed that the Klang Valley’s bus network is to be revamped, beginning tomorrow, December 1.
The overhaul will split the Klang Valley’s bus routes into eight “corridors” spanning a total of 9,202 kilometres and 241 routes, 35 of which will be brand new.
SPAD aims to decrease wait times for commuters on heavily-used routes to between five and 30 minutes at each stop, and will delegate each of KL’s 11 city bus operators to specific routes in order to eliminate competition between them along profitable routes.
The restructuring will also result in 1,500 buses across the Klang Valley being freed up to serve routes more optimally. SPAD also plans to put up 3,000 information signboards and 3,700 new bus stop signs across the city by the end of next year to encourage KLites to use public transportation networks.
Best of all, the major shift will not hit commuters’ wallets – bus fares are to remain unchanged in light of the new system.
“What the people are going to experience is a reliable service with shorter wait times,” SPAD CEO Azharuddin Mat Sah told The Star Online‘s Patrick Lee.
The eight new corridors and their corresponding bus number clusters are as follows:
Jalan Ipoh Corridor: Bus numbers 100-199
Kepong, Rawang, Sentul, Gombak
Serviced by: RapidKL, Selangor Omnibus, Setara Jaya
Jalan Pahang Corridor: Bus numbers 200-299
Gombak, Wangsa Maju, Setapak, Hulu Klang
Serviced by: RapidKL, Len Seng
Ampang Corridor: Bus numbers 300-399
Pandan Mewah, LRT Ampang, Ampang Point, KLCC
Serviced by: RapidKL
Cheras Corridor: Bus numbers 400-499
Kajang, Pandan, Pudu, Bangi
Servciced by: RapidKL, Sri Indah
Sungai Besi Corridor: Bus numbers 500-599
Putrajaya, Desa Petaling, Seri Kembangan, Serdang
Serviced by: RapidKL, Sri Indah, Metrobus, Nadi Putra
Klang Lama Corridor: Bus numbers 600-699
Puchong, Taman Desa, Kinrara, Petaling Jaya Selatan
Serviced by: RapidKL, Metrobus
Lebuhraya Persekutuan Corridor: Bus numbers 700-799
Port Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang
Serviced by: RapidKL, Cityliner, Seranas, Causeway Link
Damansara Corridor: Bus numbers 800-899
Kota Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Pantai Dalam
Serviced by: RapidKL
SPAD has posted details on the massive overhaul on its official website. The commission also welcomes any feedback from the public; to let them know what you think, call them at 1-800-88-7723.
