Dubbed the Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT), the service, which costs RM15 million, would be fully borne by the state government, said State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee Chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said it was being introduced in a Hub-and-Spoke concept, meaning the CAT service would function as a feeder bus connecting users to the main routes – beginning from a smaller station to a bigger centralised station for a longer journey.
Chow said several routes had been identified, namely George Town 2, Tanjong Tokong, Sungai Dua, Bayan Baru, Ayer Itam, and Balik Pulau (on the island); and Bertam, Bukit Mertajam, Simpang Ampat, Nibong Tebal, Seberang Jaya, and Batu Kawan.
“These routes have yet to be finalised, though The bus service operations will be from 6am to 10pm daily and the service is free for all Penangites.
“The CAT service will pass through main routes covering key places such as hospitals, schools, government offices, shopping malls, markets, as well as institutions of higher learning.
“To date, 12 routes have been identified as having the potential to be CAT routes,” he said at a press conference here today.
Chow said the service was being introduced to encourage the use of public transport and reduce dependency on private vehicles. This will, in turn, help reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
While this service was free, Chow said commuters would still need to pay RapidPenang fees for buses plying the main routes.
The state government had previously introduced the Central Area Transit service in 2008, and subsequently the Bridge Express Shuttle Transit (BEST) in 2011.
In fact, the CAT service is an extension of the Central Area Transit service, which covers the George Town heritage area.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was also present at the press conference, said the state was moving quickly to roll out its planned initiatives before the general election was called.
He said this followed a declaration by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the Barisan Nasional would reclaim Penang in GE14. A similar remark had also been made by Gerakan, he said.
That was why, he added, the Penang government had to roll out its programmes much earlier.