SEREMBAN: The Ministry of Transport has introduced the 'myBAS Concession' pass which offers free fares to people with disabilities (OKU), the elderly and children as well as schoolchildren aged seven to 17, using the stage bus service, starting today.

Its minister, Anthony Loke said over 2,500 target group users will benefit from the travel cost subsidy implemented under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme in Seremban, Ipoh and Johor Bahru, managed by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).

"In line with the Madani Economy concept, the SBST initiative helps improve the public transport network in the three cities as well as ease the burden of the rising cost of living on the target group.

"The targeted free fares will be extended to the SBST programme in other states in stages," he told reporters when launching the 'myBAS Concession' card at the Seremban bus terminal here today.

Those eligible can register at the myBAS service counter by producing their identification documents such as MyKid, MyKad or MyTentera. Children aged six and below are not required to register

Loke said the bus service involves 58 routes in Seremban (23), Johor Bahru (19) and Ipoh (16).

He said the myBas Concession operator has been operating for seven years and the ministry will reopen the tender when the contract expires at the end of this year.

In another development, regarding the insufficient bus service for the journey from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur, Loke said the problem was not because there was a monopoly but because the bus operator was not operating.

"There are seven operators servicing the route between Seremban and Kuala Lumpur but only two, or at times one, are operating. This is the biggest issue facing the people of Seremban who have to travel back and forth to work in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

He said the ministry would discuss with bus operators to deal with the issue, adding that it was prepared to issue additional permits to operators.

"We understand that operators complain that this service is not profitable and they suffer losses due to high operating costs and lack of passengers except during peak hours in the morning. We are discussing to get them to continue and find ways to help them earn a reasonable income," he said.

-- BERNAMA