TRANSIT took note of the recent launch of an expanded RapidKL Women-only bus service by Minister for Women, Family & Community Development Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
RapidKL reports that 92% of 1,400 respondents to a poll commissioned by RapidKL “liked” the service and 94% wanted it expanded.
TRANSIT has always felt a significant concern about the idea of gender-based segregation in public transport. We recognize the current need for services based on factors like heavy crowding, large numbers of female passengers using public transport, and complete lack of enforcement.
We do not “want” women-only bus service (or train services) to be “necessary” in Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR: Eight more routes have been added to the women-only Rapid Lady Bus.
The service, which was launched in December by RapidKL with seven routes, now has 15 routes in the Klang Valley.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who launched the additional routes, said the service was useful for women, senior citizens and the disabled.
Women getting on a special RapidKL bus for women during the launch by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil at PWTC in Kuala Lumpur. - AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star
“Some women find it uncomfortable travelling during peak hours so we are giving them a choice of the ladies-only bus,” she said at the Ministry’s 10th anniversary celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) yesterday.
RapidKL Bus chief operating officer Datuk Mohamed Hazlan Mohamed Hussain said based on the first trial run, 92% of 1,400 respondents supported the concept while 94% of them wanted the bus routes extended.
The Rapid Lady Bus has two services at 6.45am and 7.30am and at 6pm and 6.45pm daily.
The eight new routes are:
Taman Jasa Utama to Medan Pasar
Pandan Indah to Maybank Puduraya
Damai Perdana to Bukit Bintang
Taman Medan to Pasar Seni
Taman Sentosa to Pasar Seni
Bandar Utama to KL Sentral
Taman Dato Senu to Pasar Seni, and
Kelana Jaya LRT station to Subang Parade via Sunway Pyramid.
TRANSIT Says:
Our comments are above. We do not “like” the concept of “ladies-only” services but we recognize that these services are currently necessary because of problems that appear to be beyond the control of public transport operators.
That said, the overwhelming disappointment with enforcement on the the KTM Komuter Koc Wanita suggests that if the operators sees this as a solution that does not require large investment and a good source of Public Relations, the effect will not last long.
RapidKL Bas Wanita has the advantage over KTM Komuter because the buses are a more controlled environment and these services are, like the Bus Expressway Transit, a Peak Hour addition to existing bus services.
But TRANSIT still wants an expansion of the existing E-buses to service more areas of the Klang Valley.
By the way, Shahrizat also launched the RapidMobiliti service for OKU patrons at the same event – strange that it did not make the papers.
2 replies on “Eight more routes for women-only buses”
It’s irony to know that developed countries like Japan, United Kingdom, USA, France and so on do not need any gender oriented public transportation. On the contrary, developing country like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and so on need this kind of service. Just think about it thoroughly and carefully, so called civic and civillised.
Hi Jeffrey
Women-only carriages were first introduced to the public mindset when they were introduced in Japan’s trains.
They are also present in other countries where “macho” culture is present and women are treated with less equality than they deserve and a ‘protection of the fairer sex’ mindset is perpetuated.
Transit Malaysia 
2 replies on “Eight more routes for women-only buses”
It’s irony to know that developed countries like Japan, United Kingdom, USA, France and so on do not need any gender oriented public transportation. On the contrary, developing country like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and so on need this kind of service. Just think about it thoroughly and carefully, so called civic and civillised.
Hi Jeffrey
Women-only carriages were first introduced to the public mindset when they were introduced in Japan’s trains.
They are also present in other countries where “macho” culture is present and women are treated with less equality than they deserve and a ‘protection of the fairer sex’ mindset is perpetuated.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT