KUALA LUMPUR:The Ministry of Federal Territories (KWP) through its agency Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) has introduced a free bus service for the Putrajaya area which will start operating on November 1.

Its Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the service was one of the initiatives under the KWP Caring Region to help the people, especially Putrajaya residents, reduce their cost of living in terms of transportation as well as facilitate business in Putrajaya.

"At the same time, the free bus facility will encourage domestic tourism activities in Putrajaya that can help revive the local economy.

"This free bus facility is only for Malaysian citizens and will cover all existing Nadi Putra bus routes," he said in a statement on Monday.

He said the free bus initiative which involves an estimated cost of RM12 million a year is very relevant in strengthening efficient and beneficial connectivity for the well-being of the people, especially the people of the Federal Territory of Putrajaya.

"With the availability of this facility, it is expected to be able to increase by 50 per cent Nadi Putra bus passengers for the year 2021," he said.

To further enhance the free bus service, he said the route and frequency of Nadi Putra buses had been restructured involving 12 routes around Putrajaya.

“The main service route, T500, was introduced which started at Complex E and will go through Government Complexes along Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Precinct 1 (Complex A, B, C, D & E) and Persiaran Perdana (Precinct 2, and 3) up to Dataran Gemilang Precinct 4.

The frequency of this main route is every 5 minutes during peak hours (6.30 am to 9.00 am and 4.00 pm to 6.40 pm), every 10 minutes during non-peak hours and 30 minutes for nights, weekends or public holidays.

"Meanwhile, the remaining 11 service routes will go through residential, commercial and office areas other than in Precincts 1 to 4 with a frequency of every 15 minutes during peak hours, 20 minutes during non-peak hours and 30 minutes at night, weekends or public holidays," he said.

Apart from Putrajaya Sentral as the main station, there are two stops at Complex E, Precinct 1 and Dataran Gemilang, he said Precinct 4 is also used as a transit that connects the main service route with several other service routes to facilitate passengers.

In the same development, he said KWP and PPj with a firm commitment from the company that manages and operates the Nadi Putra bus operation, Putrajaya Transport & Tours Sdn Bhd (PAPTT) Public Transport Company will also increase the number of buses to make a total of 40 buses, namely 37 diesel buses and 3 electric buses in stages starting next year.