BAS.My Ridership Rises As Government Spending Tops RM200 Million Annually - Loke

KOTA BHARU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The Federal Government spends more than RM200 million annually for the implementation of Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST), or BAS.My, nationwide.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said public response to the service has been encouraging and continues to trend upward, including in Kelantan, where BAS.My has been fully implemented for more than six months.

“Although today marks its official launch, passenger numbers have been rising over the past few months, and the BAS.My service has been well received by the people of Kelantan, particularly senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities (PWDs),” he told reporters after officiating the launch of the BAS.My Kota Bharu here today.

Loke said Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud had also reported positive feedback from local residents, including in his own state constituency, with many users registering to enjoy the service.

The minister said the use of concession passes and free fares for senior citizens, students and PWDs has been a key factor in boosting ridership, and the government encourages eligible groups to fully utilise the service.

Loke explained that BAS.My operates under a fixed-cost model, whereby the government pays operators monthly based on scheduled trips and distances, regardless of passenger numbers.

Under the five-year service contracts, operators face no financial risk, enabling them to secure financing and invest in new buses.

“This approach differs from the past, when operators were exposed to losses, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership declined, and services became unsustainable,” he said.

For Kelantan alone, he said the government allocates more than RM21 million annually to ensure continuity of the BAS.My service.

While ridership nationwide has generally been encouraging, Loke noted that usage rates vary by state depending on travel patterns and public acceptance.

“We hope Kelantan will be among the states with high usage, as the policy is applied uniformly nationwide, including concession passes and free fares for PWDs, senior citizens and students,” he said.

Loke also said the MADANI Government is mindful of public transport costs borne by commuters, citing the introduction of the BAS.My 30-Day Unlimited Travel Pass.

The pass, launched in August 2023 at RM50, was reduced to RM30 starting in November 2025 following approval based on recommendations by the Land Public Transport Agency.

“This means users in Kota Bharu, for example, only pay RM30 for unlimited travel on all 16 BAS.My routes for 30 days,” he said.

By comparison, he said commuters travelling daily from Tumpat to Kota Bharu would normally pay RM2.60 per trip, or RM5.20 per day, but with the 30-Day BAS.My Pass, the cost for 20 working days is RM30 instead of RM104, representing savings of about 71 per cent.

The BAS.My Kota Bharu service covers 16 routes across 11 local authority areas, including Kota Bharu Municipal Council (Islamic City), and the district councils of Bachok, Gua Musang, Ketereh, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah, Tumpat and Jeli.

The service is supported by 64 buses comprising eight electric midi buses, 24 low-floor mini buses and 32 mini buses, all equipped with air-conditioning, GPS systems, electronic ticketing machines and closed-circuit cameras to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

-- BERNAMA