Just last week, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng presented Budget 2019 in Parliament. The two-hour presentation was broadcast for the entire country to see. One announcement, in particular, caught the attention of many Malaysians as it had to do with the allocation of money for public transport.
It was also revealed that the government is allocating RM240 million annually for the highly anticipated unlimited monthly passes for rail and bus services. Today (5 November), Transport Minister Anthony Loke spoke at a press conference to provide more details on this monthly pass. Here’s a brief summary of what to expect;
1. The monthly passes do not cover KTM services for now
Source: ikim.fm
The Transport Minister was quoted by the Malay Mail, saying that there will be two types of passes;
- The RM100 unlimited monthly pass for Rapid rail and bus services.
- The RM50 unlimited monthly pass for Rapid Bus services alone.
These passes can be utilised for all LRT, MRT, BRT, Monorail, and Rapid Bus services within the Klang Valley. KTM is not included. However, Anthony Loke was quoted by The Star as saying,
“KTM Komuter trips are longer and therefore will cost a lot more. It also has a different ticketing system to the one used by Rapid. However, the government has a plan to reduce the cost of the KTM Komuter service which will be announced later. Of course, the long-term plan is to integrate the KTM Komuter system with Rapid.”
2. Commuters can start registering for the passes in December 2018
Source: Budak Bandung Laici | Blogspot
According to The Star, the Transport Minister says the ministry hopes to launch the pass in early December. The launch will be officiated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
3. Passes are available for purchase starting 1st January 2019
Source: The Sun
Starting 12.01am on the first day of 2019, Malaysian commuters can already begin purchasing these unlimited monthly passes. Anthony Loke was quoted by The Star as saying,
“Users can start registering for the pass in December, and it can be utilised from 12.01am on Jan 1. So if you are out celebrating the New Year’s countdown, you can already use the pass to travel back home.”
4. These passes last up to 30 days
Source: The Star
To clarify on the exact length of these month-long passes, Anthony Loke said that they last exactly 30 days. He was quoted by Sinar Harian as saying,
“The passes are not based on months and can be used at any time. For example, if a commuter starts using their pass today (5th November), that means the last date that it can be used is on 4th December.”
5. Only Malaysians are eligible for these passes, and you can buy them using your MyKad
Source: Malay Mail
Anthony Loke added that both the RM100 and RM50 passes can be purchased using either MyKad for ordinary citizens or MyTentera for army personnel. Purchases can be made using the Touch N’ Go facility. Meanwhile, MyKid card holders between 7 and 12 years of age can buy these passes through their parents, according to Sinar Harian.
6. The monthly passes can be purchased at all MRT & LRT stations
Source: NST
These passes can be bought at all LRT and MRT stations, as well as at 4 bus hubs in Shah Alam, Greenwood (Gombak), Sri Nilam (Ampang), and the Kajang terminal.
The Transport Minister also said that an estimated 45 per cent of Rapid Rail commuters and 100 per cent of bus users will benefit from these passes.
He added that 200,000 Malaysians are expected to use these unlimited monthly passes.
What are your thoughts on the Transport Ministry’s initiative? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: Budget 2019: LGE Confirms Monthly RM100 Travel Pass to Launch in January 2019
