Rapid Bus

Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd is the largest bus operator in Malaysia operating mainly in urban areas of Klang Valley, Penang & Kuantan. As of 2011, Rapid KL service brands unit of Rapid Bus, has operates 167 routes with 1,400 buses covering 980 residential areas with a ridership of about 400,000 per day.[1]

This article is about bus transport operator of Kuala Lumpur. For Kuala Lumpur's bus system, see Rapid KL. For Kuala Lumpur's public transport system, see Public transport in the Klang Valley.
Not to be confused with Rapid Rail or RapidBus.

Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd
Rapid KL Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC parked at Cheras Selatan depot.
Parent
FoundedJanuary 2006
HeadquartersKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Service typeBus service
Routes167
Fleet1,400
Daily ridershipabout 400,000 per day
WebsiteRapid Bus
Rapid KL BYD K9 battery-run electric bus for BRT Sunway Line

Rapid Bus routes were previously operated by Intrakota Komposit Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Berhad; and Cityliner Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Park May Berhad. When it took over, there were 179 routes. Since January 2006, Rapid KL has redrawn the entire network.

Rapid Bus is however not the only bus operator in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley. Other bus operators such as Selangor Omnibus, Setara Jaya bus and Causeway Link also serve the Klang Valley.

History

In October 2003, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad bought over Intrakota Komposit and its subsidiaries from DRB-Hicom for RM177mil. It also paid RM14mil cash for the 364 buses belonging to Cityliner. The original companies were appointed interim operators.

Rapid Bus began the first phase of the revamp of its bus network in January 2006 by introducing 15 City Shuttle bus routes which serve major areas in the central business district of Kuala Lumpur. The buses run between four hubs at the edge of the central business district, namely KL Sentral, Titiwangsa, KLCC and Maluri, and Medan Pasar in the city centre. These bus hubs also serve as rail interchanges, with the exception of Medan Pasar, although it is at a walking distance from Masjid Jamek LRT station.

In March 2006, Rapid Bus revamped the bus network serving Kepong, Selayang, Gombak, Batu Caves, Bandar Sri Damansara and Bandar Manjalara areas which it called Area 2. The areas are now service by four Trunk Routes and 35 Local Shuttle routes when fully implemented. The four trunk routes all begin from the Titiwangsa hub where passengers can change to City Shuttles. At the other end, the trunk routes serve regional hubs where Local Shuttles fan out into the residential suburbs.

On 30 April 2006, the bus network in Area 3 covering Setapak, Ulu Kelang, Wangsa Maju, Keramat, Ampang and Pandan was revamped. Three trunk bus routes serve this area, one from Titiwangsa and two from KLCC while 26 local shuttle routes complete the network for this area.

On 1 July 2006, two express services, four trunk lines and 32 local services were introduced in Area 4. It covers areas including Cheras, Serdang, Kajang, Balakong, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Bandar Baru Bangi.

On 23 September 2006, Rapid Bus' revamp of the Klang Valley's bus network became complete with the introduction of new routes in Area Five which covers Subang Jaya, USJ, Puchong, and Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang south of the Federal Highway; and Area Six which covers Damansara, Bandar Utama, Kota Damansara and areas of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang north of the Federal Highway.

On 21 April 2007, sixteen months after the first step of the first revamp, a second major revamp was undertaken on the entire bus network on grounds of feedback from commuters who wanted the buses to ferry them from their housing estates direct to the city centre, that is with less or without much need to change buses in the middle of their journey.[2]

This revamp saw the routes being adjusted (e.g. B112 [Maluri — KL Sentral], formerly 112, now passes by Jalan Hang Tuah/Pudu/Tun Tan Cheng Lock instead of Jalan Maharajalela/Sultan Sulaiman), extended (T40 [Kajang — Maluri], is now U40 and is extended to Pasar Seni LRT), merged (T41 [Serdang Komuter — Maluri] and 414 [Serdang — Bandar Sungai Long] become U41 [Pasar Seni LRT — Bandar Sungai Long]) or discontinued (route 107 ceased operations on that date).

On 1 December 2015, a third revamp, known as The Bus Network Revamp (BNR) was carried out by SPAD to improve urban public transport in Greater Kuala Lumpur/ Klang Valley. This procedure has caused RapidKL to surrender most of its bus routes to other bus providers such as Causeway Link, Selangor Omnibus, Setara Jaya and Nadi Putra, and also changes to the route numbers.

On 18 June 2020, Rapid Bus released new features on real time locations of bus in Google Maps, via collaboration with Google Transit.[3][4][5][6] Almost 170 RapidKL's bus routes are covered with this real time feature, and were expanded to MRT feeder bus service. Rapid Bus also plans to expand the application to Rapid Penang, and Rapid Kuantan in the future.

Services

Using Rapid Bus in Rapid KL brands

Nomenclature (Before BNR): 2006-2015

Rapid Bus operates four types of bus services: City Shuttles (Malay: Perkhidmatan bandar), Trunk Buses (Perkhidmatan utama), Local Shuttles (Perkhidmatan tempatan) and point-to-point Express buses (Perkhidmatan ekspres).

City Shuttles have red destination boards, trunk buses have blue boards, local shuttles have green boards and express services have orange boards.

Rapid Bus has also divided up the Klang Valley into six areas:

  • Area One : Kuala Lumpur City Centre (Central Business District)
  • Area Two : Kepong, Segambut, Selayang, Batu Caves, Gombak, Jalan Ipoh and Sentul
  • Area Three : Setapak, Wangsa Maju, Ulu Klang, Setiawangsa, Keramat, Ampang and Pandan
  • Area Four : Cheras, Kajang, Ulu Langat, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Semenyih, Sungai Besi, Seri Kembangan, Serdang and Balakong
  • Area Five : Klang, Shah Alam Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Jalan Klang Lama and Puchong
  • Area Six : Shah Alam Utara, Subang, Damansara, Petaling Jaya Utara, Bangsar and Kota Damansara

Route numbers for the local shuttle are prefixed by the letter T (for Tempatan), e.g. T323. Route numbers for the express services are prefixed by the letter E (for Ekspres), e.g. E11A.

There was a prefix for trunk shuttles which is U (for Utama) e.g. U410 and for city shuttles which is B (for Bandar), e.g. B114. Later all the prefix were demolished due to the revamping of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) except the local shuttle T (Tempatan) services.

The Bus Network Revamp (BNR): 2015-present

The Ampang Corridor, Cheras Corridor, Sungai Besi Corridor, Klang Lama Corridor, Lebuhraya Persekutuan Corridor, Damansara Corridor, Jalan Ipoh Corridor, and Jalan Pahang Corridor were revamped under the Bus Network Revamp reorganization.

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has divided up the Klang Valley into 8 stage bus corridors:

  • Jalan Ipoh Corridor
  • Jalan Pahang Corridor
  • Ampang Corridor
  • Cheras Corridor
  • Sungai Besi Corridor
  • Klang Lama Corridor
  • Lebuhraya Persekutuan Corridor
  • Damansara Corridor

The Bus Network Revamp has been implemented by Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) as of 1 December 2015.

Bus routes
See also: List of bus routes in Greater Kuala Lumpur

Former bus routes served by Rapid Bus

Before the implementation of the Bus Network Revamp (BNR) by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), this is the former routes being served by Rapid Bus.

Previous route numberDestinationNew route number under BNR
U3Bandar Baru Selayang - Medan PasarSetara Jaya (Route 151)
U4Desa Aman Puri - Medan PasarSelangor Omnibus (Route 104)
U5Taman Melati LRT station - Lebuh AmapngNot in service (replaced with route T203 by Rapid Bus; towards Danau Kota / Jalan Genting Klang)
U8Damansara Damai - Medan PasarSelangor Omibus (Route 103)
U11Taman Sri Sinar - Medan PasarSelangor Omibus (Route 121)
Previously served by Setara Jaya (December 2015 - March 2016) and Causeway Link (March 2016 - July 2017)
U13Taman Ehsan - Medan PasarSelangor Omibus (Route 120)
Previously served by Setara Jaya (December 2015 - March 2016) and Causeway Link (March 2016 - July 2017)
U21Ukay Perdana - Chow KitNot in service (replaced with route T222 by Rapid Bus; towards Sri Rampai LRT station)
U22Sri Nilam - Lebuh AmpangNot in service (replaced with route 300 by Rapid Bus)
U25Seksyen 10, Wangsa Maju - Lebuh AmpangLeng Seng and Rapid Bus (Route 251/252)
U42Putrajaya Sentral - Serdang railway stationNadi Putra(now transferred route to KR Travel and Tours, Route 502)
U69Putra Perdana - Pasar SeniCauseway Link (Route 601)
Previously served by Metrobus (December 2015 - October 2016)
U75APantai Dalam Komuter station - Pasar SeniNot in service
U83KL Sentral - Solaris Dutamas via Bukit DamansaraRapid Bus (Route 850)
No longer in service as of 1 December 2017, replaced with Route 852, starting from Titiwangsa
U84Kelana Park View - Pasar SeniNot in service
U85Taman Paramount LRT station - Pasar SeniNot in service (replaced with route T790 by Rapid Bus; towards Mid Valley Megamall)
U91Klang - Pasar SeniNot in service (replaced with routes 700 by Seranas, KKBB and 708 by Rapid Bus)
700: Klang - Pasar Seni
708: Klang - Sunway Pyramid via Shah Alam
U209Taman Selayang Utama - Medan PasarSetara Jaya (Route 152)
U222Jinjang Utara - Medan PasarSelangor Omnibus (Route 120)
Previously served by Setara Jaya (December 2015 - March 2016) and Causeway Link (March 2016 - July 2017)
T229 Metro Prima Kepong - Bandar Baru Selayang Rapid Bus (Route T121)

No longer in service as of 1 December 2017 (replaced with SMART Selangor route MPS1 and Setara Jaya route 151)

U429Putrajaya Sentral - CyberjayaNadi Putra (Route 520)
E1Putrajaya Sentral - Pasar SeniNadi Putra (now transferred route to KR Travel and Tours, Route 500)
T515Puchong Utama - Pulau MerantiCauseway Link (Route 608); from IOI Puchong Jaya LRT station
Previously served by Metrobus (December 2015 - January 2016) and Nadi Putra (January 2016 - October 2017)

Using the service

Rapid Bus new bus system expects users to hop on more than one bus to complete a journey. This is unlike the previous Rapid Bus bus system and that still in use by other bus operators in the Klang Valley, where most bus services begin in the suburbs, follow a trunk route to the city, then perform a sweep in the city centre before terminating.

Instead, Rapid Bus users are expected to use a combination of its four types of services to complete journeys. Local Shuttles take users in the suburbs to hubs, usually bus terminals or LRT stations, where users transfer to LRTs or trunk buses to continue their journeys to the city or elsewhere in the Klang Valley. The city centre is served exclusively by GoKL City Bus.

Fares

Effective 1 September 2009, all Rapid Bus buses will be issued a single journey tickets for their city shuttle (BANDAR), local shuttle (TEMPATAN) & express (EKSPRES) bus routes which replaced the daily unlimited ride tickets. As for trunk shuttle (UTAMA) bus route, the tickets will be issued based on the number of zones covered. For example, if a person travels across three zones on the trunk shuttle (UTAMA) bus route, the bus fare is RM 2.50 for single journey. The ticket must be kept while on board for inspection by RapidKL officials failure of which the ticket must be purchased again if the ticket is lost while on board during the inspection.

Spouse and a total of 4 youngsters under 15 years old are allowed to accompany the pass holder free on weekends and public holidays.

Effective 10 April 2019, all RapidKL buses is implementing full cashless journey for all routes by stages, in which the bus only accepts Touch n Go card only for user convenience. The systems were fully implemented by 27 May 2019.[7]

The fares for each zone per single journey is as follows

Zones travelled (RM)
Zones 1 2 3 4/BET
Adults 1.00 1.90 2.50 3.00
Concessions 0.50 0.90 1.20 1.50

Unlimited journey monthly-pass were also available for Malaysian-citizens, at RM30 per month.

Schedules

Detailed schedules of bus services are not published, although headway information and operating hours is publicly available.

Headway:

  • City Shuttle: 10 to 20 minutes
  • Trunk Line(UTAMA): 15 to 30 minutes
  • Local Shuttle (TEMPATAN): 30 to 75 minutes

There are scheduled services that are not subject to the above headways.

RapidBET - Rapid Bus Express Transit

In 2010, SPAD introduced the express transit system in Klang Valley, namely BET, where the buses utilize less congested highways to link between heavily populated areas and city centers in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Penang. Naturally, by using the highways, travel time is reduced as the highways are less congested than the normal routes. The service will have limited stops and rely on feeder buses and park-n-ride facilities to ensure sufficient ridership. With BET, travel time is expected to be reduced by up to 50 percent on certain BETs.

There were only 3 BET services operated by RapidKL and 1 express service in RapidPenang. Except for RapidPenang, these services are only available on weekdays and during the morning and evening rush hours only. For this initial introductory stage, BET will run at 15 minute intervals during the morning and evening peak hours. Frequency and service periods will be increased at a later stage depending on the demand for each route.

Buses for BET routes are about two to five buses initially and will be reviewed from time to time as the demand grows. BET is more of an enhancement to the current services, whereby the focus is more to shorten the travel time. Fare for single journey on RapidKL is RM3 for adults and RM1.50 for concession, at flat rate.

Kuala Lumpur district area
Double deck bus on BET7 Sri Nilam-Lebuh Ampang in the morning rush hour at Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. This route is the most heavily used than any other BET services.

The only remaining BET inside Kuala Lumpur district area is the BET7, from Sri Nilam at Bandar Baru Ampang, parallel to 300 service until LRT Ampang, then bypass through Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) until Jalan Tun Razak interchange, then re-merge on 300 at Ampang Park LRT station before terminating at Munshi Abullah bus hub. This route is the most heavily used than any other BET's, and the bus only runs on morning rush hour, 4 trips daily. The fleet used is the Alexander Dennis Enviro500 and Volvo B8L double-decker bus.

Alexander Dennis Enviro500
Volvo B8L

To Putrajaya
BET17 route at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, Putrajaya in the evening rush hour.

Two BET services serve the Putrajaya Presint 2 central district for government employees between Selayang, Batu Caves, Melawati and Putrajaya. The bus runs 4 trips daily per route, 2 morning trips to Putrajaya and 2 return evening trips. Fleet used is Mercedes Benz CBC1725 buses.

BET16 just arrive at Warta Baru, Selayang

Penang express service
  • 401E - Pengkalan Weld, Penang - Queensbay Mall - Bayan Baru - Bayan Lepas International Airport - Balik Pulau via Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway (normal service as 401)

Discontinued

Below were discontinued routes due to several reasons, such as ineffective route or low demand. This low demand were due to the MRT or LRT services already served the area.

Bas Wanita - Bus for ladies only

In early December 2010, RapidKL introduced the very first 'Bas Wanita' services in Malaysia, which a bus will serve exclusively for ladies passengers only during morning and evening rush hours. Like KTM Komuter's Ladies Coach, this service is intended to avoid sexual harassment on the fully loaded normal buses during rush hours.[8] 7 routes were put on trial with addition 8 routes after successful trial, with addition of letter prefix 'W' at the end of route number to distinguish with normal services(e.g. U6W, U80W). Special stickers and signange were placed to make the services more visible. This services were proved successful, but it was later discontinued due to bus shortage.

RapidPenang Intercity

In 2 August 2015, RapidPenang introduced the very first intercity route from Penang Sentral to Sungai Petani and Parit Buntar. This route uses Scania K250UB (previously Alexander Dennis Enviro500), and the frequency is one hour per bus.

Minibus trial
RapidKL Hino XZU midibus leased from Kiffah (right, T300) and Selangor Omnibus (left, T304).

In September 2019, RapidKL re-introduced the minibus service to improve first-mile connectivity, especially for sharper and narrower routes.[9] T300 is the first trial route to operate minibus service, using Hino XZU high entry midibus leased from Kiffah Travel and Tours for 3 months. Later on 15 September 2019, another route, T304 were put on trial, using Hino XZU high entry midibus leased from Selangor Omnibus for 3 months.[10] One of the fleet were equipped with wheelchair hydraulic lift for wheelchair access.

Hino Poncho test bus on route T784 at Damansara Utama. This is the shortest minibus on any other fleet used.

On 20 October 2019, RapidKL put another bus on trial using newly imported Hino Poncho minibus leased from Hino Motors Malaysia, which served the T784 service for 3 months.[11] This bus later transferred to Batu Caves for another trial on T201 service.

On 16 November 2020, another trials were implemented, using 2 Toyota Hiace and 1 Hyundai Starex vans on newly-created route T252 for 4 months.[12]

All buses were returned after trial contract ended, except Hino XZU Selangor Omnibus, which is successfully implemented and continued service on route T300.

Bus Fleet

As of June 2014, the Rapid Bus fleet consists of 1,400 vehicles.[13]

Double decker buses
Double-deck buses

Single Deck Buses
Single-deck buses

Decomissioned
A bunch of decomissioned buses were left abandoned at Sentul Depot
  • MAN SL 252 (previously used by Intrakota from 1994, decomissioned in 2007)
  • Iveco Turbocity 480 (previously used by Intrakota from 1994, decomissioned in 2012)
  • Mercedes Benz OH1318 (previously used by CityLiner Park May in the 90's, decomissioned in 2007)
  • Dennis Dart (previously used by Putraline feeder bus in 1998, decomissioned in 2007)
  • Dongfeng DHZ6120RC2 (decomissioned in 2019, part of RapidKL fleet were sold to Setara Jaya and Kiffah Travel and Tours)
  • Anyuan JXK6120 (decomissioned in 2019)
  • King Long XMQ6122 (decomissioned in 2017, part of the fleet were sold to Setara Jaya)
  • Higer KLQ6118 (decomissioned in 2015, preserved by RapidMobiliti)
  • Higer KLQ6121G (decomissioned in 2020)
  • JAC (part of RapidPenang minibus fleet, decomissioned in 2010)
  • Sheng Long (caught on fire in Melawati depot)
  • Hino XZU (leased from Kiffah Travel and Tours, end of trial contract)
  • Hino Poncho (demo bus, end of trial contract)

Bus Depots

Rapid Bus headquarters complex were located at Cheras Selatan, where all training purposes, bus academy, new bus testing and major maintenance and overhaul takes place. It also holds as the largest depot than any other Rapid Bus depot. Other depots include Batu Caves, Shah Alam and Maluri depots for RapidKL, Lorong Kulit, Mak Mandin and Pengkalan Weld depots for RapidPenang, Nibong Tebal depot for RapidKamunting, and Semambu depots for RapidKuantan. Specially built BRT Sunway Line depot located at Sun U-Monash station, Sunway, while Sungai Buloh and Kajang depots houses the MRT Feeder buses.

See also

References
  1. Surin Murugiah (27 June 2008). "RM4.9b to boost urban,rail transport systems". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
  2. "Back to those 'minibus' days". NST. 18 April 2007.
  3. "Aplikasi Google Maps Untuk Bantu Rancang Perjalanan Dengan Bas". Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  4. "Google Maps app to help Rapid bus users plan trips". Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  5. "Rapid Bus collaborates with Google Maps app to help users plan trips, view real-time location of buses". Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  6. "https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/06/19/rapidkl-users-can-now-plan-bus-trips-via-google-maps/". Retrieved 21 June 2020. External link in |title= (help)
  7. "Rapid KL Buses to Implement Full Cashless from 15 April - Media Releases | MyRapid Your Public Transport Portal". www.myrapid.com.my. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  8. "Bas Rapid Khas Untuk Wanita Dilancar - Semasa | mStar". www.mstar.com.my. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  9. "Minibus returns as RapidKL looks to solve first-mile coverage for commuters | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  10. "Laluan Kedua Projek Percubaan Bas Midi Rapid KL - Media Releases | MyRapid Your Public Transport Portal". www.myrapid.com.my. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  11. "Projek Percubaan Bas Midi Dapat Sokongan YB Menteri - Media Releases | MyRapid Your Public Transport Portal". www.myrapid.com.my. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  12. "Rapid Bus mulakan perkhidmatan percubaan van perantara LRT laluan T252". Malaysiapost. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  13. "Rapid bus buy tow trucks worth RM3m to reduce maintenance costs". Bernama. Factiva. 5 June 2014.
  14. 120 RapidKL buses coming to Klang Valley streets
  15. Rapid Bus gets 90 Volvo double deckers
  16. BYD delivers 15 electric buses for world’s first battery electrified BRT in Malaysia
  17. RapidKL adds 150 buses to increase efficiency of public transport system
  18. Scania to Deliver 360 New City Buses to RapidKL and RapidKuantan
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