View Full Version : PenangRapid Buses:Vs Monorail
Familiar ground for anyone who has had the slightest dealings with Thailand's dope-crazed bus drivers: :eek:
Rapid Penang bus drivers under fire
By BERNARD SEE
PENANG: Rapid Penang bus drivers’ attitude on the road has become a cause for concern, said state DAP Action team chief Tham Weng Fatt.
"I have personally received more than 40 complaints from motorists about the bus drivers 'King of the Road' attitude over these past two months.
"I conducted a check on my own and found that they speed, beat the traffic lights and stop wherever they like to pick up passengers,” he told a press conference here on Friday.
Tham said most complaints came from motorists travelling along Jalan Burma, Jalan Jelutong, Jalan Air Itam, Jalan Paya Terubong Lebuh Chulia and along Weld Quay.
"I would like to urge motorists to join me in the fight to identify these drivers," said Tham, who urged motorists to note down the number of the bus and also the time and place that the incident took place and send it to him.
Tham said what he was doing was as a concerned citizen and not a politician, adding that motorists could call him at 012-4289937 to report the drivers' behaviour.
Rapid Penang corporate communications assistant manager Yap Lee Ying when contacted admitted that the company had received a few complaints about the drivers.
"Most of the complaints were for speeding and failure to issue tickets. Passengers can complain to us directly by calling 04-2381313 or through e-mail (careline@rapidpg.com.my).
"Disciplinary action against the drivers can be in the form of dismissal for major cases or a reduction in their incentive payments," she said.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/23/nation/20071123142355&sec=nation
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The RapidPenang buses look pretty neat, but are not exactly heaving with passengers. Despite Penang's extensive tram, bus & trolley bus public transport in network in the past, it looks like most Penangites will be very reluctant to give up their Wiras, Kancils & motorcycles. RapidPenang is complaining that other bus companies are straying into their allocated bays at Komtar Bus Station to poach their passengers. So the City Council has promised more inspectors at bus terminii and interchanges to prevent this from happening.
http://www.nst.com.my/Wednesday/Letters/2112648/insidepix1
[Photo: New Straits Times]
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Public transport: Spare us these 'bus wars'
By : MOAZ YUSUF AHMAD, Subang Jaya, Selangor
IT was a surprise and disappointment to read in the newspapers that the low-key competition between RapidPenang and the older bus companies had started to turn into "bus wars" ("RapidPenang gets council help" - NST, Dec 18).
Sadly, the fact that this is occurring reflects that the government still has a poor approach to public transportation planning and operations.
We are often told that competition is healthy in a market economy. In theory, competition leads to lower prices and better services. However, anyone involved in public transportation and public transit knows that unregulated competition is the worst enemy of good service. Bus operators will compete to offer lower prices but sacrifice the quality of service.
When competition leads to hyper-competition, bad things begin to happen. Proper service is forgotten. Schedules are ignored. Maintenance is deferred to save money. Poorly trained, inexperienced drivers are hired.
All these combine to reduce service quality and drive customers away from the market.
This starts a downward spiral that will adversely affect service and lead to more customers turning to private transportation. This is what happened in Penang as well as in other cities in the past.
The fact that price wars are occurring shows that we still do not understand how public transportation should be regulated.
In December 2005, I told a traffic engineer in the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang that the new "hub and spoke" system would not work unless they provided strong regulation and enforcement of the actions of the bus operators.
That new system failed soon after its introduction on April 1 last year, becoming an "April Fool joke".
When the idea of the government-run operator (Bus Negeri Pulau Pinang and RapidPenang) was first mooted late last year, I suggested that the best way to fix the problem was to create a local transportation authority to regulate services.
It is clear that adding a government-subsidised operator to a competitive market would not solve the transportation problems of Penang, just as it has not solved problems in Kuala Lumpur.
Even before RapidPenang began operations in August, there was already a great deal of grumbling about the competition and perceptions of unfairness. I wrote then that the government should regulate the market to give space to the other companies instead of allowing competition because it would lead to "bus wars" that would damage the industry once again.
Just five months after RapidPenang started operations, we can already see the results.
I do not understand why, after all these past problems, the government does not step in and regulate the market properly. Have they not learned from history, from the numerous examples in Penang and other cities?
It is relatively simple to understand - unregulated competition will ultimately destroy public transit. Proper, regulated competition leads to improved service.
Once again, I would like to call on the government to start regulating public transportation properly. Begin by setting up local authorities in Kuala Lumpur and Penang to plan out the routes that need to be served and the level of service needed.
Cancel all existing permits to private companies and let them apply to provide service on the new, government-regulated routes. Under this system, instead of competing with each other for customers, these bus companies will compete to offer the best service. If they fail to offer good service, they will lose the routes to other companies.
If subsidies are necessary to maintain proper levels of service (and they often are), then the government can provide proper subsidies. It can subsidise routes, rather than companies. The commuter benefits and the "bus wars" will be a thing of the past.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Letters/2112648/Article/index_html
Promotion for RapidPenang drivers
By : Phuah Ken Lin
GEORGE TOWN: All 230 RapidPenang bus drivers will be referred to as "captains" from next year once they complete an ongoing internal evaluation to improve their services.
RapidPenang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said the upgrade in status was to recognise the drivers' commitment in serving about 40,000 passengers daily.
"Our passenger list has increased by about 20 per cent since we started services in August, so we intend to improve our performance.
"By promoting the drivers to captains, RapidPenang gives them a sense of belonging," said Azhar at a media appreciation gathering yesterday.
He said the feeling of bus ownership would encourage drivers to be more courteous when dealing with passengers.
To ease the complaint procedure by commuters, Azhar said all RapidPenang bus drivers were required to display their identification on board the bus.
"The identity cards are to remind drivers that they are accountable for any misconduct," he said, adding that the company was drawing out the guidelines required for drivers to qualify for promotions.
Following the encouraging response from RapidPenang's maiden express bus service between Balik Pulau-Peng-kalan Weld, Azhar said a similar service would be introduced between Butterworth-Nibong Tebal and Tanjung Bungah-Pengkalan Weld early next year.
"With fewer stopovers, the express service will shorten the travelling time between the destinations, which augurs well for working commuters," he said.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/2113231/Article/index_html
RapidPenang services to cover whole state soon
GEORGE TOWN: RapidPenang, which has been operating for less than a year, has transformed public bus services on the island with more than six million passengers using its service in the past five months.
The company's excellent performance has earned the commendation of the state government and the Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
"It has been excellent and I hope they extend their services, especially on the mainland," Nor Mohamed said in Seberang Jaya yesterday.
He said the services would cover the whole of the mainland soon.
Meanwhile, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said people had given encouraging feedback regarding the services.
"The number of people using it is increasing every month and this is a sign of the confidence people have in RapidPenang.
"I am sure it will become everyone's choice of public transportation in the future," he said after witnessing the launch of the company's website and guide book by Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon here.
Koh also presented certificates of confirmation to 25 selected RapidPenang bus captains.
Also present were RapidPenang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad and its board of director members Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid and Ong Thean Lye.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the RapidPenang bus services on July 31, last year.
The service was touted as the beginning of better things for the public transportation system in Penang.
The poor state of the public bus system in the state had been criticised by commuters and non-governmental organisations for many years.
RapidPenang, a company under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, had made an initial purchase of 150 new buses for RM50 million.
Dr Teng, however, reminded RapidPenang's management not to be complacent with their present services but to strive for greater improvement.
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http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2148111/Article/index_html
Rapid Penang strike leaves Penang commuters stranded
By BERNARD SEE, K. KASTURI DEWI and K. SUTHAKAR
PENANG: Thousands of bus commuters rushing for work and last minute Chinese New Year shopping were stranded at bus terminals and bus stops on the island when Rapid Penang ceased its operations due to a strike by its drivers.
They were caught unaware and left standing for hours as the 100-odd bus drivers refused to start their engines when reporting for work at 6am Tuesday.
Many of them were late for work when 120 of the 150 Rapid Penang buses did not leave the depot in Sungai Nibong and bus terminals at Komtar, Weld Quay and Balik Pulau. However, the Rapid Penang bus service in Seberang Prai was unaffected.
Irate bus commuters felt the timing was bad as many of them were also rushing to go to their hometowns in view of the Chinese New Year holidays.
The drivers decided to go on strike as their demands for better perks were not entertained by the management.
The situation had also caught Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon by surprise and he asked the two parties to solve the matter immediately.
The visibly annoyed Dr Koh said: "I’m shocked and surprised as this incident should not have happened.”
Speaking to reporters Tuesday after presenting prizes to winners of the National Integrity Debate competition at Universiti Sains Malaysia here, Dr Koh said the company must also provide an answer to the state government, the public and its workers.
He said the company has the responsibility of providing efficient services to the public.
Rapid Penang board member Ong Thean Lye said the drivers wanted to hold the company for ransom when they demanded for additional wages.
"We had a talk with about 100 drivers at our Sungai Nibong depot but could not come to an agreement as their demands were unreasonable.
"We agreed to increase their daily allowance from RM25 to RM30 but that was not enough as they wanted a salary increase of RM200 to RM900 a month.
"They also asked that their probation period be shortened to two weeks from the usual three months and that they be given transport allowance," he said.
Ong said many drivers had agreed to the new terms and agreed to sign a new contract but peer pressure prevented them from doing so.
In the end, they were all asked to go home and those still interested in keeping their jobs were asked to report for work today, he added.
"We will see how the turnout is before deciding on the next course of action. Commuters will have to bear with us while we try to solve the problem," he said.
Rapid Penang started plying various routes in the state with 150 buses on Aug 1 last year and now attracts about 40,000 passengers daily.
RapidKL busdrivers also mounted strike action today:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=3102
Penang Rapid has a web page now.
Website on Rapid Penang
RAPID Penang commuters can now view online bus route maps and find out which buses go to their destinations by visiting its website http://www.rapidpg.com.my
Reason I mentioned this is they will be using photos from my book on Penang Transport
Ric
A Malaysian Government minister is encouraging legal action against RapidKL for the strike action taken by its drivers and those of RapidPenang:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=19737&postcount=2
Rapid Penang buses back on the road
By K. KASTURI DEWI
PENANG: Thousands of bus commuters sighed in relief as Rapid Penang buses resumed operations on the island after a one-day strike by its bus drivers.
Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said the 93 buses left the company’s depot in Sungai Nibong in batches from 7am with services back to normal by 1.30pm.
On Tuesday, thousands of commuters rushing for work and last minute Chinese New Year shopping were left stranded when the bus drivers went on strike to demand better pay and perks.
Azhar, who apologised to Penangites for the "unexpected turn of events'', said there was a possibility that the drivers had been instigated by "certain quarters".
“However, it has definitely nothing to do with anything political,'' Azhar told a press conference Wednesday at the Rapid Penang office in Lorong Kulit here.
Azhar said the company had recorded losses of RM50,000 due to the disruption of services on Tuesday.
He said some of the issues which the drivers were not happy about had been "ironed out''.
He said more than 80 drivers have signed an agreement with the company not to strike again.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/6/nation/20080206183656&sec=nation
I kind of feel the most important item in this article is at the bottom - that there will be an airport bus service. I remember the first time I went to Singapore and got to the downtown hotel by bus. If one is travelling light and not on desperate business, a decent bus service is far more interesting than being crammed in a taxi where you can't see very much. Hate dealing with taxi drivers anyway!:
2008/07/01
Pay your bills while on the bus
By : Audrey Dermawan
GEORGE TOWN: RapidPenang has introduced a new service which enables commuters to pay their bills or top up their handphones.
For a start, the RapidPay service -- touted as the first of its kind in the region -- will be available on 25 buses.
The service is available to those with automated teller machine cards from Affin Bank, Alliance Bank, AmBank, Bank Islam, CIMB Bank, EON Bank, Bank Rakyat, Hong Leong Bank, Public Bank, Maybank and RHB Bank.
Commuters can use the service to pay their bills from Celcom, Maxis, DiGi, TMnet, Jaring, TD Tone, TimeContact, Redtone, Postpay and Chatz (IDD/STD calling cards).
Under the system, a commuter only needs to insert the bank card, key in the required transaction and the payment amount, type of account and the personal identification number before confirming the payment. A receipt will be issued for every transaction.
Commuters can also buy F1 tickets for the Sepang race as well as Plusliner express bus tickets from a terminal located next to the driver.
Instructions on how to use the service will be available in the bus.
RapidPenang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said the system was introduced for the convenience of passengers.
"It is simple. We hope to expand the service in the near future to enable commuters to also pay their utility bills.
On another matter, Azhar said RapidPenang would start a service to the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.
Eight buses will operate between 6.35am and 11pm, with one bus every 30 minutes. The fare is RM2.
The three main stops for the service are Pengkalan Weld, Komtar and the Sungai Nibong express bus terminal.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/2282027/Article/index_html
Thursday July 31, 2008
Buses more suitable for Penang
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/31/north/Rapid.jpg
[Photo: The Star - Man-in-charge: Azhar is confident that Rapid Penang can solve the state's public transportation woes.]
HAVING more buses on the streets will be a more feasible solution to public transportation woes in Penang than building a monorail system.
Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad, who supports the deferment of the federal-funded monorail project, said public buses are more suitable for Penang.
“The monorail costs too much but does too little. It is more suited for point-to-point travel rather than mass rapid transit, which is what we need. The monorail is like a theme park ride.
“A more feasible solution would be to have more buses on the streets, which is what we are doing.
“By the end of next year, Rapid Penang will have 200 new buses. The first 30 buses will arrive at the end of this year - the rest will be delivered in stages.
“We recently established our Rapid Penang Academy to train bus captains and mechanics. By next year, 120 new captains will join our existing team of 270,” he said.
Azhar said he is confident that Rapid Penang could solve the state’s public transportation woes.
“But it is not just about having more buses. We need to improve existing infrastructure and facilities,” he said, adding that the company has forwarded a proposal to the state to help improve public transportation.
He said bus lanes could be introduced to ensure smoother traffic flow.
“The state should also provide adequate and affordable parking, especially at places like Komtar, Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth and Batu Kawan (when the second Penang bridge is ready) to implement the ‘park-and-ride system’ especially for those travelling between the island and mainland,” he said.
Azhar said Rapid Penang is running a campaign to encourage the public to leave their vehicles at home.
“If we can change the public’s mindset about taking buses, we can solve the state’s traffic congestion problem.
“In the past, buses were seen as a means of transportation for the lower income group but I think that if we can provide cheap, efficient and comfortable service, everyone from students to professionals will be more than willing to travel by public buses,” he said.
Acknowledging that Rapid Penang was “not perfect”, Azhar said it was committed to continue improving its services.
“When the new buses come and the global positioning system (GPS) is installed in all our buses, the current 25 minutes waiting time will be reduced to 10 minutes.
“Sixty per cent of the new buses are wheelchair-friendly. If the state accepts our proposal to adopt all 303 bus stops on the island and those on the mainland, we will make sure that it is comfortable and disabled-friendly.
“We now have 40 wheelchair-friendly buses but we had to remove the ramps because the bus stops were not disabled-friendly.
“It will cost us about RM3mil just for the first phase of construction because we need to have proper shelters if we want people to take the bus,” he said, adding that the entire project would take more than three years to complete.
Asked if Rapid Penang has achieved its objective after one year of operating here, Azahar said it had.
“According to a state survey conducted in April, 66.6% of our passengers were happy with Rapid Penang. Nonetheless, we will continue to improve and we welcome healthy and fair competition.
“Every Friday, my staff and I take the bus to work for ‘quality control’ and I appreciate feedback from the public as well as NGOs like Citizens for Public Transport (CEPAT).
“In our first month, ridership was 1 million. Now it is 1.45 million - that’s an increase of 40%. With the new buses, 14 new routes covering north and south Seberang Prai, Nibong Tebal, Juru, Kuala Muda, Kepala Batas and Bukit Mertajam will be introduced.
“There is a demand for our service from those living in Tasik Gelugor, Kulim and Padang Serai but are working in Penang.
“By 2010, we should be able to service these areas but for now, our priority is to improve public transportation in the state,” he said, adding that the company was currently negotiating with companies in the Bayan Lepas free industrial zones (FIZ) to ply the area.
“We should be able to provide the service by the end of the year once we get clearance from the Customs Department,” he said, assuring that there would not be a fare increase in the “near future”.
“If we do increase our fares, it is because we do not have a choice. For every ringgit earned, 95 sen goes to our operations cost,” he said.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/7/31/north/1698083&sec=North
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