Budget 2025: Govt to ensure efficient public transport, RM200 mln for Sabah, S’wak rural flights

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The government will continue to ensure efficient, affordable and comfortable public transport for all Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said when tabling the MADANI Budget 2025 today.

He also announced that Prasarana has procured 250 electric buses this year and that the Transport Ministry has begun procurement of 12 Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) passenger train carriages, with 50 more carriages to be procured via lease through government-government partnership with China.

“The My50 monthly pass will be continued to the benefit of 180,000 Prasarana rail and bus users in the Klang Valley, (while) bus coverage in the Klang Valley will be boosted with RM10 million prepared to add 47-kilometre special bus lanes involving Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Cheras and Jalan Gombak.

“(Also), 100 bus stops in Klang Valley will be upgraded with the cooperation with government-linked companies and the private sector for the safety and comfort of passengers,” he said during the tabling of the Budget 2025 at Dewan Rakyat here today.

He also stated that Prasarana will prepare van services to send students to school from selected train stations at 50 sen per one-way trip, with the Sri Rampai Light Rail Transit (LRT) station and Melati LRT as initial stations for the service.

“In addition, the government has agreed to providing free fares for all university, polytechnic, community college and matriculation students in the country who use the BAS.MY service,” Anwar said.

Anwar, who is Finance Minister, also announced an allocation of over RM200 million to continue the Sabah and Sarawak rural air service, which will include the opening of new routes from Kota Kinabalu to Layang-Layang and Miri to Long Banga.