KUALA LUMPUR: More buses will be added to ensure the efficiency of public transport in the Klang Valley and to encourage its utilisation by an additional 40 per cent.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke gave his assurance that public transport will be improved so that the public would be more confident in utilising it.
"In the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), one of the issues highlighted was the efficiency and reliability of buses," he said adding that the dependency on Light Rail Transit (LRT) alone was not enough to minimise traffic problems.
"We must move in unison which is why it is crucial to have an integrated development between the increase in trains and buses.
"I am aiming for at least 1,000 Rapid buses to be operational in the Klang Valley by the end of this year," explained Loke during a press conference at the LRT Pasar Seni station today.
Loke stated that towards the end of the year there will be numerous plans to enhance public transportation, including the ongoing maintenance of Rapid buses and the outsourcing of other bus operators so that there will be more buses available in Klang Valley.
He said the ministry was currently working with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to pave the way for more bus lanes to ensure that bus journeys were more secure and faced fewer constraints.
"Therefore I hope that the public will opt for public transport once repair and restoration works are done," he said.