Nearly 50,000 Use BAS.MY Free Bus Service, Mostly Senior Citizens - Loke

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The BAS.MY free bus service offered by the Transport Ministry (MoT) has benefited a total of 49,611 people as of August this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said 78 per cent of passengers enjoying the free bus service under the BAS.My concession card programme are senior citizens, followed by students (13 per cent), persons with disabilities (six per cent) and university students (three per cent).

“The BAS.MY service under the Stage Bus Service Transformation Programme focuses on state capitals and surrounding areas, particularly outside the Klang Valley.

“As of October 2025, the service has been operating in Kangar, Kota Setar, Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu and Kuching. The service is also being gradually introduced in Kota Kinabalu,” he said during question time. 

He was responding to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who wanted to know the number of BAS.MY concession card users by state and the percentage breakdown by category.

Loke said Johor Bahru recorded the highest number of BAS.MY concession card users with 16,832, followed by Kuching (10,215), Ipoh (7,304), Seremban (6,310) and Melaka (4,668).

On the lack of bus stop facilities, he said the government would continue strengthening public-private partnerships to expand such amenities nationwide and boost public transport usage.

He said that despite ongoing efforts, there were still challenges in terms of funding and resources, as the provision of bus stops also requires cooperation from local authorities.

Loke said the MoT is currently implementing a public-private partnership model that allows private companies to sponsor and maintain bus stops in exchange for advertising opportunities at those locations.

“Not all bus stops need to be built by the government or local authorities. We can provide the sites, and the MoT is developing a programme where private companies can adopt bus stops.

“This will be a win-win for everyone. I hope work to enhance bus stops and pedestrian walkways will continue,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA