Negeri Sembilan stops free bus service

 

Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said those who used the free bus service were mostly foreign nationals instead of locals. (Bernama pic)

SEREMBAN: 

The Negeri Sembilan government’s free bus service for the Seremban, Jempol and Nilai routes was terminated on June 1, said menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.

He said the service had to be discontinued due to low public response, and that it was replaced by the myBAS service, operated by the transport ministry.

“We have been operating the free bus service for a long time, but the response has been less than encouraging. Most of the users were foreign nationals, not locals.

Since we now have the myBAS service, which is a public bus service covering the same routes across all areas and districts in the state, we feel that the free bus service is no longer necessary,

 he said at a press conference after the state executive council meeting here.

He said the myBAS service also offered similar benefits, including free rides for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, children and school students.

He added that about 90 myBAS buses were available, covering all districts in Negeri Sembilan.

The public can still use this bus service as usual, according to the scheduled routes. However, if there is a strong demand to reinstate the free bus service, we will reconsider it,

 he said.

The state government began the free bus service on Jan 21, 2020, running one bus every hour from 6.30am to 5.30pm, covering routes in Seremban, Nilai and Jempol.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin said the state government would review proposals to upgrade the infrastructure at bus terminals in all districts.

He said that a thorough study needed to be conducted to avoid 

white elephant

 projects due to lack of use and low public interest.

“There is no point in creating something that does not fully benefit the people. If we proceed, we must also consider the maintenance costs.

However, if it truly benefits the people, the state government has no issue with reviewing and upgrading the existing terminals,

 he said. - FMT