THE Transport Ministry will carry out strict enforcement of penalties for illegally using the special lane for buses.  

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this ensured the lane was not exploited by other motorists and was part of the government’s efforts to ensure public transport, especially bus services, grew to be more popular.  

“My approach has always been carrot and stick. If the carrot (benefit) doesn’t entice them, we will use the stick (enforcement). People prefer not to take buses because there is a possibility that they will be stuck in traffic jams and the frequency is unpredictable. That’s why we are putting much effort into introducing bus lanes. 

“We have two bus lanes currently – Jalan Ampang and Jalan Genting Klang. If these two corridors are successful, we are looking at having more,” he said at a press conference after presenting the 2023 Performance Report and 2024 Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) plan at Menara UOA today. 

Loke said the average number of passengers targeted this year is 285,000, an 18% increase from 241,000 in 2023. 

He said his ministry was working with local authorities on implementing the proof-of-concept process for the expansion of two special bus routes in the Klang Valley district involving Jalan Ampang and Jalan Klang Lama to Jalan Puchong. 

In addition, Prasarana aimed to upgrade 117 bus stops, 11 pedestrian walkways, and 15 bus hubs this year. 

Loke said his ministry had set a new policy for Prasarana to purchase electric buses starting from 2025 as part of efforts to increase the use of green vehicles (green mobility) in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap initiative. 

“Next year, we will try to purchase new buses in the direction of EV buses. There was just another new purchase involving 310 diesel buses and I have told Prasarana that this will be the last purchase of diesel buses. After that, the procurement of buses is towards EV buses,” he said. – Bernama, January 9, 2024.