Mohd Azizi (second from right), senior MBPJ staff and councillors trying out the electric version of the PJ City Bus. — NORAFIFI EHSAN/The Star
PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be adding two new routes covering Damansara Damai and Bandar Utama, and acquire at least 10 new buses, to expand its PJ City Bus service.
“We allocated a total of RM10.9mil under MBPJ’s 2018 budget for PJ City Bus service – RM8mil for the existing four routes, plus RM2.9mil for the two new ones.
The new buses will include at least two electric versions,” said Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain.
“The new routes – to be called PJ05 and PJ06 – will cover the northern parts of Petaling Jaya, though the route alignment and bus stops are yet to be determined.
The PJ City Bus is a free bus services launched in May 2014.
There are presently 22 buses, including two electric versions, plying a total of four routes.
PJ01 covers Jalan PJS 3/11 in Taman Medan to University of Malaya Medical Centre, PJ02 covers Taman Jaya LRT Station to SS2 via Jalan Bukit, PJ03 covers Taman Bahagia LRT Station to SS6 Kelana Park View while PJ04 covers Taman Bahagia LRT Station to Kampung Tunku/ Sea Park via SS2.
The buses operate daily from 6am to 9pm, with a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes on working days.
They are disabled-friendly and equipped with free WiFi. Each bus can accommodate up to 59 people.
Of the four routes, Mohd Azizi said about 70% of the users were from the PJ01 route.
“Based on our record, the waiting time for PJ01 has exceeded our targeted frequency.
“We will need to address that, either by adding a new bus or removing one from other existing routes,” he said.
MBPJ has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records with the “Most Number of Free Shuttle Bus Services Provided by Local Authority” title.
Mohd Azizi later launched the PJ City Bus App, a mobile app developed and managed by MBPJ’s Planning Department.
“The app benefits both users and city council. Users can find out about bus routes, locate the nearest bus stop and track the estimated bus arrival time,” he said, adding that the app used a real-time tracking system.
“For the city council, it allows us to monitor the bus operations for reports and analysis purposes. For example, we are able to assess the ridership and departure performances, such as whether the bus is on time or late.”
The PJ City Bus App is available for download on Android devices. It will be made available for iOS devices next month.
Meanwhile, Mohd Azizi said MBPJ planned to expand its closed-circuit television (CCTV) with loudspeakers to other commercial areas such as Section 14.
“The existing system has been successful in reducing the number of illegally or double-parked cars in the Section 52 commercial area, and has been well-received by the public.
Earlier this year, MBPJ paired its CCTVs with loudspeakers at 12 locations along the one-way-loop in Section 52 in a move to provide better surveillance and traffic management in the area.
It enabled the council to observe real-time traffic and announce via loudspeakers directing motorists to re-park their vehicles if they were illegally or double-parked.
If the directive is ignored, enforcement officers will issue either a summonses, clamp or tow the vehicle away.
For details on PJ City Bus routes, visit http://bit.ly/2yQa8Ew
