Rapid Bus, the Rapid KL bus operator in the Klang Valley, is ready to expand its fleet with electric buses as part of its Rapid Bus fleet electrification programme. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the initiative will be rolled out in stages through two phases starting this year.
The Prasarana subsidiary plans to purchase 100 electric buses in the first phase of the programme, with these to be deployed in the Klang Valley and Penang. The acquisition process will be carried out in stages and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, phase two will see the procurement of 481 new electric buses starting in 2025, with the entire procurement process expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.
“Prasarana/Rapid Bus’ effort to purchase electric buses of various sizes and technologies is aimed at deep understanding of electric bus technology before increasing the number of buses to fulfill the government’s wish to make Kuala Lumpur a low carbon city as planned,” Loke said in the Dewan Rakyat, answering a follow-up question from Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) during the Supply Bill 2023 debate.
“In addition, the government is also considering the possibility of purchasing electric buses through leasing to ensure that the buses received are always up to date with the latest advances in energy technology,” he added.
The gradual move to EV buses follows the electric bus test run carried out in April last year, in which four BYD battery-powered buses were deployed for three months on selected routes in the Klang Valley. The two test routes were Route 400 from Damai Perdana to Lebuh Pudu Hub via Bukit Bintang; and Route 650 from Taman Desa to Pasar Seni Hub.
