RapidKL, the operator of the capital’s LRT, Monorail, and feeder bus lines, is rolling out a brand new public transport system in Bandar Sunway and Subang Jaya, featuring a first for Malaysia – electric-powered buses.
The buses, an innovation first used in Curitiba, Brazil in 1974, have made their way to our shores, in part due to RapidKL’s preparation for an eventual increase in fossil fuel costs, the aim to reduce traffic congestion in Bandar Sunway’s notoriously-clogged streets, and a desire to provide more eco-friendly transportation to urbanites.
The new bus line will also minimise the cost of providing a transportation service to users in the area, as it will do away with the added infrastructure of building a whole new rail line in Subang.
Amanz reports that the 15 buses procured for the project will service seven stations on the 5.4km-long route. Each bus has a maximum capacity of 67 passengers, and can achieve a top speed of 80km per hour – more than enough for heavy suburban traffic. The buses are also wheelchair friendly.
The BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) Sunway system expects to transport 2400 passengers every hour, and will connect users in the area to the Setaia Jaya KTM Komuter station and the new USJ 7 LRT station, set to begin operation next year.
Photos: Amanz
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