GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd plans to acquire 1,600 electric buses by 2031 to replace some diesel buses in the Rapid KL and Rapid Penang networks.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the first phase would involve the acquisition of 250 electric buses at a cost of RM200 million, comprising 175 for Rapid KL and 75 for Rapid Penang.
He said the procurement by the subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd was part of the government’s efforts to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon public transport system, in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the National Transport Policy 2019-2030.
“The first stage involves the acquisition of 150 electric buses, with 40 allocated to Rapid Penang and 110 to Rapid KL. Deliveries began in June 2026 and are scheduled to take place in stages until the end of this year.
“The second stage involves the remaining 100 buses, with 35 allocated to Rapid Penang and 65 to Rapid KL. Deliveries for this stage are expected to start in stages in January next year and are targeted for completion by March 2027,” he said at a press conference after launching the Rapid Penang electric buses at Weld Quay Depot here today. Also present was Prasarana chairman Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad.
To support the operation of the buses, Loke said 150 charging units would be installed at nine depots, including three in Penang, for the first stage, while another 100 units would be provided at six depots, including two in Penang, for the second stage.
As of Tuesday, Rapid Bus had received 52 electric buses under the first phase, comprising 37 in Kuala Lumpur and 15 in Penang, while the remaining buses would be delivered in stages according to the set schedule, he said.
He said of the 15 buses received by Rapid Penang, 14 were 8.25m buses and one was a 12m bus, which would be deployed for services on the island and in Seberang Perai.
