Two new "on-demand" van services to debut in Petaling Jaya

PLS USE There are currently 247 Rapid bus routes in Klang Valley with a total of 846 buses serving an estimated 233,239 passengers daily. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: On-demand vans that are part of Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd’s “Demand responsive transit” (DRT) will be available for residents of Taman Bahagia and Taman Paramount here starting Thursday (May 2).

The new DRT services covering routes T785 and T783 may be booked using the Kumpool app to allow better first-and-last-mile connectivity for users hearing to and fro the two LRT stations.

In a statement on Tuesday (April 30), Rapid Bus CEO Muhammad Yazurin Sallij said that these two new DRT services would allow greater convenience and flexibility for commuters.

“The on-demand transit services that are currently available in Wangsa Maju and Setapak have been well received. As per government approval, we are now launching DRT in several other areas to provide more convenience and efficiency for our passengers,” he said.

Rapid Bus will analyse the reception from the residents of Taman Bahagia and Taman Paramount for up to four weeks to smoothen the eventual transition of buses to a fleet consisting entirely of DRT vans.

The DRT vans charge a flat fare of RM1, regardless of travel distance, with the fare payable through Touch n’ Go or cash, other than Prasarana’s unlimited travel passes such as the My50, MyCity, Family Pass, OKU Smile Pass.

The DRT vans will operate daily from 6am to 11.30pm, and have greater flexibility in pick-up and drop-off points, compared to buses that tend to call only on existing bus stops at Taman Bahagia and Taman Paramount.

“This DRT service also promises a shorter journey time as the vehicle need not make calls at every stop if there are no orders,” read the statement, which added that more information can be obtained from Rapid KL’s social media channels or www.myrapid.com.my.