DBKL said the charge will be implemented in stages, involving four routes around the city centre, namely the green (route 1), purple (2), red (3) and blue (4) lines, Bernama reported.
“Payment transactions are cashless, namely through Touch ‘n Go cards, QR codes, credit cards or debit cards. However, it is free for all children aged 12 and under, including non-citizens,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Malaysian citizens who use the MyKad with the Touch ‘n Go feature would now need to register their MyKad to continue enjoying the GoKL bus service free of charge.
DBKL said it had set up registration counters for this purpose from Dec 1 at three locations, namely the KLCC bus terminal, Titiwangsa (Pekeliling) terminal and the Pasar Seni terminal from 7am to 12pm, and 2pm to 7pm. Commuters may also register at the counter at the lobby of Menara DBKL 1, which is open only on Wednesdays, from 9am to 4pm.
Earlier this month, FMT reported that several migrant activists were up in arms over DBKL’s decision to charge non-Malaysians for the GoKL bus service, which was previously free for everyone.
Mahi Ramakrishnan, founder of Beyond Borders, asked why the government had made such a “divisive move” at the expense of foreigners, who rely on public transport. She said the new rule would also affect stateless people, and urged the government to reverse the decision.
New Su Shern, Project Liber8 executive director, said the government needed to take into account the various challenges that migrant workers faced on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, Bar Council migrant, refugees, and immigration affairs committee co-chairman M Ramachelvam described the rule as regressive and discriminatory. He pointed out that many countries provide free transport services to commuters regardless of nationality.
In October last year, then deputy federal territories minister Jalaluddin Alias said statistics showed that almost half of the passengers using the free bus service were foreigners, and that the government would consider making them pay for its use.
He said the government would have collected RM9.2 million a month if it charged RM1 to the foreigners using the bus service.