The Penang government has been accused of succumbing to euphoria over the upcoming RapidPenang bus service and overlooking the interests of local bus companies.

From Aug 1, a total of 150 RapidPenang buses, imported from China at a cost of RM31 million, will start plying five main corridor routes on the island and three in Seberang Perai.

Sungai Puyu state assemblyperson Phee Boon Poh hit out at the state government for not safeguarding the interests of the local bus operators and, in fact, ignoring them altogether.

He suggested a policy to amalgamate and re-adjust the routes assigned to both RapidPenang and the other bus companies.

"Even though the profit margin will be thinner, the companies would survive. The policy at present will allow RapidPenang to monopolise the services," he said.

He said local bus operators are only likely to reinvest in their operations by upgrading buses when they are confident of their future.

"As it is, the future looks bleak to them because of RapidPenang's arrival," said Phee, who highlighted the issue at last week's Local Government Consultative Forum chaired by state executive councillor Dr Teng Hock Nan.

Teng, who oversees local government, traffic management, information and community relations, has promised to look into the issue.

KGN-Hin, Milan, Transit Link (PP) Sdn Bhd and minibus companies operate about 200 stage and minibuses on Penang island.

Seberang Perai bus operators are United Traction Company Sdn Bhd (UTC) which has provided services since 1947; Park May Bhd which has run the Cityliner service for 30 years; Syarikat Perkhidmatan Pengangkutan Federal Bhd; and Transit Link.

Park May Bhd chairperson Mohd Nadzri Mohd Salleh said RapidPenang's future expansion to the mainland would make it difficult for his company to survive.

"Even now, we are facing fierce competition with other transportation modes such hired cars and private vehicles," he said.

Compulsory compliance

UTC manager Chew Beng Huat said RapidPenang should not rush to operate in Seberang Perai because "the service on the mainland has always been efficient, cheap and reliable".

He suggested that RapidPenang should focus on improving the bus service on the island.

RapidPenang chief executive officer Douglas David agreed that the bus service on the mainland "is far better" than that on the island.

"However, under the state government's policy, RapidPenang will have to expand its service throughout the state. RapidPenang can't do anything about it. We have to comply," he told malaysiakini.

RapidPenang is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rangkaian Pengangkutan Intergrasi Deras Sdn Bhd, which wholly owned by the Finance Ministry Incorporated.

The island's main routes will link Weld Quay in George Town with Teluk Bahang, Air Itam, Bayan Baru and Balik Pulau, and between Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau.

The mainland's corridor routes will link Butterworth with Kepala Batas, Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal.

A link bus service will also be operational via Penang Bridge between Bayan Baru on the island and Megamall Pinang on the mainland.

The company will operate 35 high- and low-density routes - 28 on the island and seven on the mainland - and deploy 135 buses to ply the routes at any one time. About 120 of the buses will cater to the needs of the disabled, senior citizens and children.

The introduction of RapidPenang buses is so crucial to the Gerakan-led state government that Teng, a frontrunner to become the fourth chief minister, has even put his political future on the line.