40km cap for RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme

KUCHING: The RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme will now take a route of not more than 40km and it will start on Jan 1, 2024.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said it is timely for the state government to review the subsidy model so that the programme will be cost effective and at the same time, achieve the programme’s goal and objective.

“On Dec 26, the Ministry of Transport Sarawak invited all the 11 bus companies operating in Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Miri and Bintulu to inform them of the new model for the RM1 flat rate that was approved by the government,

“The details of the stage bus routes and schedules were made known to the bus companies for their confirmation and this new programme will start on Jan 1, 2024,” Lee said in a statement.

He said the subsidy programme will be carried out with the stage bus companies until 2025, adding that the charge rate for bus ride is only RM1 per trip per person, which is very affordable to the users.

“The Sarawak government through the Ministry of Transport will work towards periodical review to improve and expand stage bus services in the state. It is the government’s hope that the initiative will continue to encourage more people to use the public transport,” he said.

The programme has benefited the rakyat, especially the B40 group, since its implementation in May 2020.

The number of ridership has shown an impressive increment of 75 per cent from 2021 to 2023 where the average ridership has greatly increased from 209,055 per month in 2021 to 364,725 per month in 2023.