THE Transport Ministry has introduced the myBAS Concession pass that offers free travel for people with disabilities, the elderly and children as well as schoolchildren aged seven to 17, using the stage bus service, starting today.

Minister Anthony Loke said more than 2,500 people would benefit from the travel cost subsidy implemented under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme in Seremban, Ipoh and Johor Baru, managed by the Land Public Transport Agency.

“In line with the Madani Economy concept, the SBST initiative helps improve the public transport network in the three cities as well as ease the burden of the rising cost of living for the target group.

“The initiative will be extended to other states in stages,” he told reporters when launching the myBAS Concession card at the Seremban bus terminal today.

Those eligible can register at the myBAS service counter by producing their identification documents such as MyKid, MyKad or MyTentera. Children aged six and below are not required to register.

Loke said the bus service involves 58 routes – Seremban (23), Johor Baru (19) and Ipoh (16).

He said the myBas Concession operator had been operating for seven years and the ministry would reopen the tender when the contract expires at the end of the year.

On the insufficient bus service for the journey from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur, Loke said the problem was not because there was a monopoly but because the bus operator was not operating.

“There are seven operators servicing the route between Seremban and Kuala Lumpur, but only two, or at times one, are operating. This is the biggest problem facing the people of Seremban, who have to travel back and forth to work in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Loke said the ministry would discuss with bus operators to solve the problem.

He said it was prepared to issue additional permits to operators.

“We understand that operators complain that this service is not profitable and they suffer losses due to high operating costs and lack of passengers, except during peak hours in the morning,” he said.

“We are discussing to get them to continue and find ways to help them earn a reasonable income.” – Bernama, August 15, 2023.