Rapid Penang (stylised as rapidPenang) is a public bus brand operating within the George Town Conurbation in Malaysia. Established in 2007 as a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia, it serves as the main public transport system within the state of Penang, with routes extending into neighbouring towns in Kedah and Perak. Rapid Penang forms part of Rapid Bus, which also operates public bus services across the Klang Valley and Kuantan.
As of 2025[update], Rapid Penang's fleet comprises 350 buses operating on a total of 47 routes throughout the conurbation. Additionally, since 2024, Rapid Penang has been expanding its demand-responsive transport (DRT) service, with a fleet of 17 vans to address last mile connectivity at specific locations within Penang.
History
Prior to the introduction of Rapid Penang in 2007, public bus services in Penang had been run by several competing private operators. The operators were plagued by fragmented zoning, inadequate asset maintenance and financial mismanagement.[3][4]
In 2004, the Yellow Bus Company, one of the largest public bus operators in the state, abruptly ceased operations due to a price war and financial losses.[5][6][7] The continued deterioration of Penang's bus operators prompted the state government to intervene. Under Chief MinisterKoh Tsu Koon, the state government in 2006 attempted to revive the public bus system by rezoning routes to designated operators.[3][8] This proved unsuccessful, forcing Koh to seek assistance from the Malaysian federal government.[4][8][9]
In 2007, Prasarana Malaysia, a government-owned company, launched Rapid Penang.[4][9] While some quarters within Penang voiced their objections to the federal takeover of the state's public transportation, Koh's administration defended the move, arguing that federal expertise and financial resources were necessary to improve the public bus system.[10][11] Rapid Penang initially began its services on 31 July that year with a fleet of 150 buses.[3][12] Of the 150 buses, 110 were allocated to George Town to service five corridors, while the remaining 40 buses were assigned to Seberang Perai 's three corridors.[3] In 2013, Rapid Penang, along with Rapid KL and Rapid Kuantan, was merged into Rapid Bus. While the Rapid Penang brand is retained, its assets and staff were transferred to the newer entity.[13]
As of 2025[update], Rapid Penang 's fleet consists of 350 buses operating on a total of 47 routes across the George Town Conurbation.[1][14] In 2024, a demand-responsive transport (DRT) service was introduced in George Town. This service adopts a ridesharing model akin to Grab, aimed at improving last mile connectivity at areas not accessible by conventional buses.[15] A total of 17 vans were originally deployed at selected suburbs.[16][17] Rapid Penang has plans to further expand the DRT, with an addition of 21 vans scheduled by June 2025.[17]
As of 2025[update], Rapid Penang operates 47 routes across the George Town Conurbation, with some extending into neighbouring Kedah and Perak. Of the 47 routes, 26 are within George Town and 15 are in Seberang Perai. There are two cross-strait routes connecting the two cities. The remaining four routes are interstate services that link Seberang Perai with nearby towns in Kedah and Perak.[14]
italics indicates an ongoing construction or proposed project.
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