Federal government spends over RM200 million yearly on BAS.My, with ridership rising nationwide and Kelantan seeing strong uptake after six months.
KOTA BHARU: The Federal Government spends more than RM200 million annually to implement the Stage Bus Service Transformation (BAS.My) nationwide.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said public response to the service has been encouraging and continues to trend upward.
This includes in Kelantan, where BAS.My has been fully operational for over six months.
“Although today marks its official launch, passenger numbers have been rising over the past few months,” Loke told reporters after officiating the launch.
He said the service has been well received by the people of Kelantan, particularly senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities.
Loke explained that Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud had also reported positive feedback from local residents.
The use of concession passes and free fares for key groups has been a major factor in boosting ridership.
The government encourages all eligible groups to fully utilise the service.
Loke detailed that BAS.My operates under a fixed-cost model.
The government pays operators monthly based on scheduled trips and distances, regardless of passenger numbers.
Under the five-year service contracts, operators face no financial risk, enabling them to secure financing and invest in new buses.
“This approach differs from the past, when operators were exposed to losses,” he said.
He noted this was particularly acute during the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership declined.
For Kelantan alone, the government allocates more than RM21 million annually to ensure service continuity.
While national ridership is encouraging, Loke noted usage rates vary by state depending on travel patterns.
“We hope Kelantan will be among the states with high usage,” he said.
The policy is applied uniformly nationwide, including concession passes and free fares.
Loke also highlighted the government’s focus on reducing costs for commuters.
He cited the introduction of the BAS.My 30-Day Unlimited Travel Pass.
Launched in August 2023 at RM50, it was reduced to RM30 starting in November 2025.
“This means users in Kota Bharu only pay RM30 for unlimited travel on all 16 BAS.My routes for 30 days,” he said.
By comparison, a daily commuter from Tumpat to Kota Bharu would normally pay RM5.20 per day.
With the pass, the cost for 20 working days is RM30 instead of RM104, saving about 71%.
The BAS.My Kota Bharu service covers 16 routes across 11 local authority areas.
It is supported by 64 buses, including eight electric midi buses and 24 low-floor mini buses.
All buses are air-conditioned and equipped with GPS, electronic ticketing and CCTV for passenger safety.
