KUANTAN: Rapid Kuantan, which has been providing stage bus services in the state capital here since 2012, will cease operations soon.
Pahang Public Works, Transport, and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim said, however, Rapid Kuantan had given the assurance that it would continue providing its services until a new concessionaire was appointed.
Replying to a question from Chan Chun Kuang (PKR-Semambu), Razali said the Pahang government had a meeting with Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) and the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) on Oct 8 to discuss the bus services in the state capital here.
"Apad has tabled an open tender concerning the new Stage Bus Service Transformation 2.0 (SBST 2.0) programme (between 2025 and 2030) for Kuantan. Apad said Rapid Kuantan attended the briefing, but did not tender a bid following a decision made by Prasarana's board of directors.
"SBST 2.0 will involve 16 routes, which will be reviewed before the tender is granted. A second study will be conducted after the tender is issued to check on the effectiveness of the routes.
"The second tender, which will be conducted after nine months, will take into account the views of the state government and local authorities.
"The state government will monitor the stage bus operations so that the newly appointed operator enhances its services to the people.
"Although Rapid Kuantan did not enter the bidding process, it will continue to operate until the new concessionaire signs the acceptance letter," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Pahang State Legislative Assembly sitting in Wisma Sri Pahang here today.
Razali said the new concessionaire would continue to provide an unlimited monthly travel pass for RM50 and concession card for persons with disabilities, students and the elderly, who will pay a one-off RM10 registration fee.
On a supplementary question from Chan on whether the Pahang government would assist Rapid Kuantan employees once the operator ceased its services, Razali said the 103 staff members had been offered options.
"The staff can continue serving by taking up jobs in Kuala Lumpur or other states where Prasarana is operating or choose the voluntary separation scheme offered by Rapid.
"The state government will hold discussions with the incoming concessionaire to explore employment opportunities for the workforce."