“Besides the Central Area Transit (CAT) bus in George Town, the state government currently subsidizes two other bus services that commute from Seberang Perai to the island everyday.”
The latter services, he added, shuttles people who live on the mainland to the Bayan Lepas free industrial zone as well as the state administrative centre, Komtar.
Even then, he pointed out, it’s worth restating that the Penang Government also did indeed try to provide free bus services throughout the entire state during peak hours on weekdays.
In 2011, said the MP, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wrote an official letter to Prasarana, the Ministry of Finance-owned company operating the Rapid Penang bus services in Penang. “The Penang Government made an offer of an annual grant for the provision of statewide free bus services.”
“Unfortunately, Prasarana did not accept the offer.”
Zairil was commenting on the Sarawak Chief Minister making the claim that the Pakatan-led Penang Government has not been able to take over private bus companies operating in the state, “despite being in power for two terms.”
He thinks that perhaps Adenan was not aware that the Penang Government did indeed consider starting its own bus company, but was thwarted by licensing issues. “Unlike in most countries where public transport is regulated by local or state authorities, in Malaysia it’s entirely controlled by the Prime Minister’s Department through the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).”
“Needless to say, cooperation is not always forthcoming.”
It does not make sense to compare Penang to Sarawak when the latter is a resource-rich state with an annual budget of RM6 billion, six times larger compared to Penang’s less than RM1 billion budget, said Zairil. “With so much resource at its disposal, the fact is that Sarawak has the capacity to undertake great policy initiatives including DAP Sarawak’s proposal to triple the number of buses and provide free bus services in key areas in the state.”
In any case, he wants to thank Adenan for agreeing to provide free bus services in Sarawak. He also wants to thank the Sarawak Chief Minister for his “immediate and positive response to my challenge for him to emulate the Penang and Selangor Governments in providing free bus services for the people”.
He was referring to media reports where Adenan was quoted as saying: “DAP has still failed to provide free bus services to the people there (Penang), except in the city area…. It has also failed to show any signs of taking over the private bus companies operating in the state despite having been in power for two terms”.
At the same time, Adenan also added that “in any case, we will consider it (providing free bus services in Sarawak).”
Zairil is however glad that Adenan has agreed to consider implementing a policy idea from the DAP Sarawak election manifesto. “This is a positive development that would benefit the people of Sarawak, and acknowledgement that DAP produces good ideas.”