KOTA SAMARAHAN, May 9 — The BAS.MY concession card usage has now been expanded to include Form Six students and trainees at government-owned training institutes nationwide, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said that previously, the unlimited travel facility was only offered to Malaysian school students (aged seven to 17), senior citizens (60 and above) and registered persons with disabilities.

Loke said that for Kuching and Kota Samarahan, it is expected to benefit about 2,350 Form Six students and more than 3,200 trainees at government-owned training institutes.

“Nearly 850,000 passengers have used the BAS.MY Kuching service as of April.

“This move is hoped to reduce financial burden as well as increase the use of public transport among both groups,” he said at the launch of the new route for the BAS.MY Kuching stage bus transformation programme here today.

Loke also gave an assurance that BAS.MY fares will remain unchanged despite global economic uncertainty, adding that the monthly unlimited travel pass had previously been reduced from RM50 to RM30.

He said there was no reason to increase fares as the government subsidises both fuel and operational costs under the contract model with bus operators.

“The government does not intend to make a profit from this service. We want more people to use public transport because it is an important and affordable alternative,” he said.

He said the ministry, through the Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, has introduced six new BAS.MY routes in Kuching and surrounding areas.

“The routes began operation on April 1, namely Q11 (Arang Road), Q12 (Taman Hui Sing), Q13 (Siburan), Q14 (Summer Mall), Q15 (Stutong Baru/Kuching Sentral) and Q16 (Taman Sukma).

“The launch of these new routes is not only aimed at expanding bus coverage, but also ensuring the public has access to more efficient, comfortable and reliable transport,” he said. 

He also said the government is planning a second phase of BAS.MY expansion, which will focus on secondary cities such as Sibu and Bintulu in the near future. — Bernama