Loke: Rapid Penang starts electric bus services with 15 vehicles, targets 75 by March 2027

Rapid Penang launched its first 15 electric buses as part of a move towards a full electric fleet, with plans to have 75 buses by March next year.

The initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, involves investing approximately RM200 million for 250 electric buses across Rapid Penang and Rapid KL.

Phased deliveries ensure infrastructure readiness, with buses fitted with advanced systems for safety and operational efficiency.

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — Rapid Penang began operating its first 15 electric buses today, marking the start of its transition towards an electric bus fleet, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook today.

“There will be new buses arriving every month to complete Rapid Penang’s fleet of 75 buses by March next year,” he told a press conference after launching the service at the Rapid Penang Depot in Weld Quay here.

He said the initial fleet comprises 14 buses measuring 8.25 metres and one measuring 12 metres.

“The shorter buses make it easier to travel, particularly on the island, where they can enter narrower roads and more densely populated areas,” he said.

Loke linked the rollout to Penang’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

“This is part of the public transport sector’s contribution towards a more environmentally friendly state,” he said.

According to a statement issued by Rapid Bus, the first procurement phase involves 250 electric buses across Rapid Penang and Rapid KL, with 175 allocated to the latter.

At the press conference, Loke clarified that the estimated RM200 million investment covered all 250 buses under this phase.

The procurement is divided into two delivery stages to coordinate the arrival of buses with charging infrastructure readiness and depot requirements.

Under the first stage, Loke said Rapid Penang would receive 40 buses and Rapid KL 110.

Deliveries began in June and are scheduled to be completed by December 31.

He said the second stage involves another 35 buses for Penang and 65 for Rapid KL, with deliveries expected to begin in January and finish by March 2027.

Loke said 150 charging units had been installed at nine depots, including three in Penang, to support the first delivery stage.

Another 100 charging units are planned at six depots, including two in Penang, for the second stage, he added.

He said they have received 52 electric buses for both Rapid KL and Rapid Penang as of October 13.

He explained that the phased introduction would allow it to monitor performance, reliability and maintenance requirements to ensure service continuity.

The buses are equipped with an Advanced Driver Assistance System, which provides driving assistance and alerts to bus captains.

The buses are also equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, which produces external warning sounds to alert pedestrians and other road users, particularly at low speeds.

Loke said the rollout forms part of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad’s plan to acquire 1,600 electric buses between 2026 and 2031 to replace part of the existing diesel fleet across Rapid Penang and Rapid KL.

In his speech, Loke also outlined the bus operator’s future role alongside the Mutiara Line LRT.

“Rapid Penang, as the stage bus operator in Penang, must play a supporting role to ensure first- and last-mile connections are improved and complement this transport system,” he said.

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槟城快捷巴士公司推出了首批 15 辆电动巴士，这是该公司迈向全面电动化车队计划的一部分，并计划到明年 3 月拥有 75 辆巴士。

这项旨在减少碳排放的计划，涉及投资约 2 亿令吉，在槟城 Rapid 和吉隆坡 Rapid 购置 250 辆电动巴士。

分阶段交付可确保基础设施准备就绪，公交车将配备先进的系统，以提高安全性和运营效率。

乔治市，10月17日讯——槟城快捷巴士公司（Rapid Penang）今日开始运营其首批15辆电动巴士，交通部长陆兆福今日表示，这标志着该公司开始向电动巴士车队转型。

“到明年三月，槟城快捷巴士公司将每月都有新巴士到货，届时其巴士车队将达到75辆。”他在槟城快捷巴士公司位于Weld Quay的巴士车厂启动该服务后举行的新闻发布会上说道。

他说，首批车队包括 14 辆 8.25 米长的公交车和 1 辆 12 米长的公交车。

他说：“较短的巴士让出行更加方便，尤其是在岛上，它们可以进入更狭窄的道路和人口更密集的地区。”

陆兆福将此次推广活动与槟城减少碳排放的努力联系起来。

“这是公共交通部门为建设一个更加环保的国家所做出的贡献的一部分，”他说。

根据 Rapid Bus 发布的一份声明，第一阶段采购涉及 Rapid Penang 和 Rapid KL 的 250 辆电动巴士，其中 175 辆分配给 Rapid KL。

在新闻发布会上，陆兆福澄清说，预计的 2 亿令吉投资涵盖了该阶段的所有 250 辆巴士。

采购分为两个交付阶段，以协调公交车的到达与充电基础设施的准备情况和车辆段的要求。

陆兆福表示，第一阶段槟城快捷巴士将获得 40 辆巴士，吉隆坡快捷巴士将获得 110 辆巴士。

交付工作已于6月开始，预计将于12月31日完成。

他表示，第二阶段将为槟城再提供 35 辆巴士，为吉隆坡 Rapid 提供 65 辆巴士，预计将于 1 月开始交付，并在 2027 年 3 月完成。

陆兆福表示，为了支持第一阶段的交付，已在九个仓库安装了 150 个充电装置，其中包括槟城的三个仓库。

他还补充说，第二阶段计划在六个充电站（包括槟城的两个充电站）增设 100 个充电单元。

他表示，截至 10 月 13 日，他们已为 Rapid KL 和 Rapid Penang 接收了 52 辆电动巴士。

他解释说，分阶段引入可以监控性能、可靠性和维护需求，以确保服务的连续性。

这些公交车配备了先进的驾驶辅助系统，可为驾驶员提供驾驶辅助并向公交车司机发出警报。

这些公交车还配备了声学车辆警报系统，该系统会发出外部警告声，以提醒行人和其他道路使用者，尤其是在低速行驶时。

陆兆福表示，此次推广是马来西亚国家基建有限公司计划的一部分，该计划旨在2026年至2031年间购置1600辆电动巴士，以替换槟城快捷巴士和吉隆坡快捷巴士的部分现有柴油车队。

陆兆福在讲话中还概述了巴士运营商未来在珍珠线轻轨项目中的角色。

他说：“作为槟城的公共汽车运营商，Rapid Penang 必须发挥辅助作用，确保改善首末段交通连接，并完善这一交通系统。”

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