KOTA SAMARAHAN (May 9): BAS.MY Kuching has launched six new routes, as part of efforts to improve public access to more efficient, comfortable and reliable transport services.

The routes are Q11 Arang Road, Q12 Taman Hui Sing (both departing from and returning to Saujana Bus Terminal in the heart of Kuching), Q13 Siburan, Q14 Summer Mall (Kota Samarahan), Q15 Stutong Baru/Kuching Sentral, and Q16 Taman Sukma (departing from and returning to Kuching Open Air Market).

Officiating at the event in a shopping mall here, Transport Minister Anthony Loke encouraged more people to make use of the service.

“Make public transport your primary choice in daily life.

“With this small change, we can create a significant impact on the future of Kuching city and its surrounding areas,” he said.

BAS.MY, the federal government’s initiative through the Transport Ministry, has received encouraging response and strong acceptance from bus users in Kuching since its launch on March 5 last year.

“Based on this feedback, the six new routes were introduced and commenced operations on April 1,” said Loke, adding that as at April, a total of 847,644 passengers had used the bus service in Kuching, while 15,283 individuals had registered as BAS.MY concession card holders.

“I was also informed that the operator provided free registration for the first 300 participants in conjunction with today’s event,” he noted.

The minister also said as a measure to ensure all segments of society could access the service, the BAS.MY 30-day unlimited pass had been reduced from RM50 to RM30 for Malaysian citizens.

Furthermore, he announced that the government had agreed to expand the BAS.MY Concession Card eligibility to include Form 6 students, as well as trainees at government-owned training institutes.

“This initiative will benefit 2,350 Form 6 students and more than 3,200 trainees currently pursuing studies at government training institutes around Kuching, and in Sarawak.”

Loke said that previously, the card was only extended to students aged 7 to 17, as well as university students, but he agreed to the proposal to expand the eligibility when it was brought to his attention.

The concession card is also available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs), allowing them to enjoy free travel on all BAS.MY routes.

Also present were the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan; Ministry of Transport Sarawak permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng; Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak chairman Michael Kong; Biaramas Express Sdn Bhd managing director Lai Sin Kiong; Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, Stampin MP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.

Credits: Kentigern Minggu, The Borneo Post 2026