KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The Bangsar and Universiti LRT stations will soon be renamed to Bank Rakyat-Bangsar and KL Gateway-Universiti as part of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s Station Naming Rights Programme to boost the state-owned company’s non-fare revenue.

Group president and chief executive Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz told English daily The Star that the programme launched last year was part of initiatives to increase usage of public transport through continual upgrading infrastructure and facilities.

“This innovative and mutually beneficial partnership will result in better services and facilities for commuters along the Rapid KL network. The partner meanwhile benefits from new exposure and consumer engagement opportunities,” he told The Star.

Prasarana owns Rapid Rail that operates the Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT lines along with the monorail network in the city.

According to the report, Bank Rakyat and Suez Capital have signed deals to rename the Bangsar and Universiti stations respectively.

Last Friday, the Bukit Bintang monorail station was renamed to AirAsia-Bukit Bintang.

The rebranding of the Bangsar LRT station located 700m from Bank Rakyat’s headquarters is expected to take place this evening.

The report also read that Prasarana is looking to grow its non-fare revenue to 30 per cent by 2017, which aside from the selling of name rights, will also be sourced from cultivating property development related businesses, advertising, parking facilities and retail outlets.