Prasarana president and group CEO Azharuddin Mat Sah said that with government support, his team was implementing strategic planning to increase ridership numbers from 1.3 million this year to 1.5 million next year.

“Among the main initiatives are the addition of the light rail transit (LRT) 3 (Shah Alam route) which is expected to be operational by the end of this year, the addition of dedicated bus lanes, and collaboration with the housing and local government ministry to improve pedestrian pathways to bus and LRT stations,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after signing a memorandum of understanding with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei, represented by its executive director Faroze Nadar here today.

According to Azharuddin, Prasarana also plans to expand the Rapid KL On-Demand service and increase the number of electric buses as part of its sustainable mobility agenda.

“Dedicated bus lanes are also very important because they allow buses to increase their frequency and provide faster journeys for passengers,” he said, adding that the systematic and comprehensive approach could contribute towards achieving the 40% target.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously revealed that the use of public transport in Malaysia was still low at around 25%, far behind developed countries like Singapore (67%) or the cities of Seoul (63%) and Tokyo (73%).

He said an efficient public transport system would not only facilitate the daily movements of the people but also act as a catalyst for economic growth, social wellbeing, and inclusive mobility in both urban and rural areas.

Azharuddin also said he had met Zahid recently and discussed, among others, the urgent need for more dedicated bus lanes.