KOTA KINABALU, Aug 14 — After four months of operation on its initial two routes, Kota Kinabalu’s new fixed-schedule BAS.MY “pink bus” service is now running across all eight routes, giving commuters more options for getting around the city and surrounding areas.
The full rollout of routes S01 to S08 began last Tuesday, completing the phased introduction of the service that started on April 1 with routes S01 and S05.
The first two routes have already recorded strong demand, with 194,265 passengers using the service between April 1 and August 10.
The figure is expected to increase with the addition of the six remaining routes — S02, S03, S04, S06, S07 and S08.
The expanded network is intended to make public transport a more practical option for daily travel, particularly for residents who do not own cars or motorcycles.
Buses now operate from 5.30am to 11pm daily, with services running at intervals of between 15 and 30 minutes.
A total of 48 new buses has been deployed to connect the main hubs at KK Sentral and Menggatal with the eight routes.
The service also offers free concession cards to students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (OKU), with 960 people registered so far.
For commuters who depend on public transport, the concession scheme could help reduce the cost of daily travel, while the expanded network provides greater connectivity between residential areas and key destinations.
The buses are also equipped with real-time GPS monitoring, allowing their movements to be tracked, as well as cashless payment and e-ticketing systems.
Safety and accessibility features include closed-circuit television cameras and designs aimed at making the buses more accessible to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The full operation of BAS.MY Kota Kinabalu is part of the Federal Government’s Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme implemented through the Transport Ministry.
The programme involves an allocation of RM17.6 million a year, or RM88 million over five years.
Earlier this year, civil society group Sabah Entitlement and Equity Now (SEEN) and Api-Api assemblyman Loi Kok Liang raised questions about the fleet procurement of the buses.
The Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) subsequently defended the process, saying operator Jaguh Bayu Sdn Bhd was selected through the government’s ePerolehan system following technical and financial evaluations. LPKP also said the use of smaller buses was intended to suit Kota Kinabalu’s narrower roads and existing bus stops.
There were also concerns during the early rollout that awareness of BAS.MY remained low, with Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin previously urging wider publicity to familiarise residents with the new service.
