KUANTAN: New stage buses will hit the streets in the state capital from May next year under the Stage Bus Service Transformation 2.0 (SBST 2.0) programme.
The new operator will replace Rapid Kuantan, which has been providing stage bus services in Kuantan, Pekan and Kuala Pahang for 12 years.
State Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim said the new operator has not been finalised and the matter is still under assessment.
"Based on information from the Land Public Transport Agency, the new concessionaire will start operating in May next year.
"Rapid Kuantan will continue to operate until the new concessionaire takes over."
He said this at University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP) in Tanjung Lumpur here today.
Earlier, Razali witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between UCYP and International Islamic University Malaysia to develop the Pahang Food Security project for students.
Razali dismissed claims that the move to end Rapid Kuantan's services was politically motivated.
He said Rapid Kuantan did not participate in the SBST 2.0 bidding process, citing rising operational costs.
"It is an open tender and has nothing to do with politics. Rapid did not submit a tender."
He gave an assurance that the new operator would continue to service the 16 existing routes and offer an unlimited monthly travel pass for RM50 and a concession card for the disabled, students and the elderly for a one-off registration fee of RM10.
On Dec 4, it was reported that Rapid Kuantan chose not to make a bid for the SBST 2.0 following a decision by Prasarana's board of directors. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1143631/rapid-cease-stage-bus...)