RapidBET introduced (Update #6)

• Updated with additional articles about RapidBET 3 & 4
• Updated with image of RapidBET 3 & 4
• Updated with article about RapidBET 3 &4

RapidBET or “Bus Expressway Transit” was introduced to the residents of the Klang Valley on 12 January 2010, with two new routes from Kota Damansara and Cheras to KL.

Information about the RapidBET can be found in our earlier posting, and on the new (just posted today) RapidBET section on the  RapidKL website.

Various articles on RapidBET can be found here:

• Commuters: Extend service time of RapidBET (Star Metro);
• Press Release on RapidBET 3 & 4 (RapidKL);
• RapidBET extends services to Subang Mewah and Taman Sri Muda (The Star);
• RapidKL on the fast track (Malay Mail);
• Two more RapidBET routes starting today (The Star) – information on RapidBET 3 & 4;
• RapidBET a ‘good start’ (The Star) – comments from TRANSIT;
• Shah Alam and Subang Jaya commuters to enjoy express service (The Star);
• New public transport system gets off to a good start (The Star);
• Commuters impressed by speedier journey (The Star);
• Tram-like buses for 2 cities (NST);
• RapidBET service to cut travel time (Malay Mail);
• Syarikat Prasarana lancar RapidBET (KOSMO).

1) RapidBET 1 – Kota Damansara – Pasar Seni

click here for a larger view of the image above

2) RapidBET2 – Sg. Long – Pasar Seni

click here for a larger view of the image above.

3) RapidBET 3

Subang Mewah <=> Pasar Seni (by way of NPE)

Pickup points:

1. Blok K Meranti, Persiaran Subang Mewah
2. Court 7 USJ 8, Jalan Mulia
3. Summit USJ, Persiaran Kewajipan
4. Sunway Pyramid, Lebuhraya NPE
5. LRT Bangsar, Jalan Bangsar
6. KL Sentral/KL Monorel, Jalan Tun Sambanthan

Departure Time (Sbg Mewah): 6.15am,6.30am,6.45am & 7.00am
Departure Time (Pasar Seni): 5.30pm,6.00pm,6.30pm & 7.00pm

Commencement Date : 21-1-2010

4) RapidBET 4

Taman Sri Muda (Shah Alam) <=> Pasar Seni via KESAS & NPE

1. Sri Muda Bus Hub
2. Rumah Pangsa (Persiaran Budiman)
3. Sunway Pyramid (Lebuhraya NPE)
4. LRT Bangsar (Jalan Bangsar)
5. KL Sentral (Jalan Tun Sambanthan)
6. Pasar Seni (Jalan Sultan Mohamed)

Departure Time (Taman Sri Muda): 6.15am,6.30am,6.45am & 7.00am
Departure Time (Pasar Seni): 5.30pm,6.00pm,6.30pm & 7.00pm

Commencement Date : 21-1-2010

Click here for a larger view of the image above.

The following article is an update on RapidBET:

RapidBET bus system from KL to Kota Damansara and Sungai Long (Update)
By YENG AI CHUN

KUALA LUMPUR: Bus users in Shah Alam and Subang Jaya can look forward to cutting their travel time to the city centre by half when the RapidBET bus system is rolled out next week in their area.

They join commuters from Kota Damansara and Bandar Sungai Long, who started using the system Wednesday [TRANSIT: That should say Tuesday.].

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat announced the second set of routes after launching the RapidBET1 bus from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni, via the Penchala Link.

The Bandar Sungai Long to Pasar Seni via the Grand Saga Highway route also began its run Tuesday.

He said the RapidBET bus system is part of the effort taken for the improvement of urban public transport under the national key results areas (NKRAs).

“What is important is that we walk the talk, we identified the problems, we brainstormed day and night over the concerns of the people [TRANSIT: But did they ask the people to participate in the brainstorming?] in the hope that by initiating some of the changes, we would be able to shorten the traveling time in the best interest of improving the quality of life and quality of bus service for the commuters.

“And I presume by so doing, ultimately this will also be a good booster to our bus service and at the same time, I believe this will attract more commuters to help enhance the ridership as well,” said Ong in a press conference.

Ong had boarded the RapidBET1 bus from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni early in the morning with Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd Chairman Tan Sri Izzuddin Dali, group managing director Datuk Idrose Mohamed and RapidKL officers on its maiden route.

The system called Rapid Bus Express Transit (RapidBET), is part of an overall plan to upgrade the speed and comfort of the Klang valley’s bus system, cuts travel time by half and is available at peak hours in the morning and evening at 15-minute intervals.

RapidBET utilises less congested highways to link heavily populated areas and the city centre.

The service has limited stops and aims to get the commuters to work in half the time of the regular buses.

“RapidBET would also be extended to other areas but it would depend on the demand for such a service.

“Other states would also be in the plan as Klang Valley is not our only focus. But for a beginning, we want to make sure the system works before extending it to other areas such as Penang and Johor Bahru,” he said.

Ong added the Government is also looking into having feeder buses and park-and-ride facilities in residential areas to further cut commuting time.

Currently, the regular bus U88, plies the route from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni and the journey takes two hours or more depending on the traffic.

Maximum fare for U88 is at RM3, which is the same as the fare for RapidBET1.

The RapidBET1 bus from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni operates during peak office hours from 6.30am to 7.15am and from 6pm to 6.45pm.

It aims to get commuters to work and back from work within an hour bus ride.

There are 3,000 commuters using the bus U88 during peak hours and about 30% of the commuters embark at the Pasar Seni station.

TRANSIT Says:

Like it or not, BET is the best that we have at the moment. TRANSIT is disappointed that we were not allowed to be present at the discussions that led to the implementation of BET (and future BRT). We hold strongly to our view that public transport users should be included in the planning of public transport service.

At the same time, we hope (there’s that word again) that the Urban Public Transport panel will open up and start working with the public, now that BET has been initiated.

We are confident that with cooperation, all stakeholders can work together to improve public transport in the Klang Valley and the whole of Malaysia.

But if all stakeholders do not come together and work together, then perhaps the RapidBET will go the same way as the unsuccessful Trunk Buses and Express Buses.

We do not want that to happen and are prepared to work together with all stakeholders to make it work. Can RapidKL, Prasarana and the Ministry of Transport say the same?