It's no Fun Anymore

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hi,

On the few times that I've visited Penang it's always been a challenge to get to grips with the bus system, and it's a wait, long, long at the bus stops. Or not. I always ask fellow bus-stop lingerers for directions etc. and carry a book.  And then there's the discussion about chancing it with a taxi - always a bit of aggro with the negotiation which is always one-sided, and the taxi driver tells you that RM40 is cheap and you know you've been had, again.

So the fun bit of bus-stop waiting and not really knowing what's going on is now about to disappear.


July 14, 2010 : Rapid Penang's new display System
GEORGE TOWN (July 14, 2010): Rapid Penang today unveiled the country’s first ever Intelligent Commuter Information System display system for stage buses at the Komtar terminal here.

Similar to ETA systems installed at airports, it also uses Global Positioning System (GPS) to map out movements of all Rapid Penang buses while calculating the exact time of arrival of each bus to the terminal.

Rapid Penang CEO Azhar Ahmad said today the system would help regain the people’s confidence in public transport, especially in Penang.

"We first started this system at our kiosk at Penang International Airport as a pilot project and we are now going full swing at Komtar bus terminal because of the huge volume of passengers using it every day," he said.

"We will later extend this service to other areas throughout the state which includes exploring opportunities to work with shopping complexes," he added.

"This system will eliminate the uncertainty faced by commuters as they do not know when the next bus is coming. They can now plan their journey and avoid the long waiting time."

Rapid Penang has an average of 75,000 commuters every day. Azhar said the company expects to receive 200 buses from the federal government to augment its current fleet of 350 buses by the third quarter of next year.
End of Article
TheSun
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=49390

One smart-alec point. How to plan your journey and save the long waiting time? I don't get it. When I turn up at the bus stop and find that that there's going to be a long waiting time, how does knowing about it shorten it?  "oops it'll be 25 minutes so I go somewhere else instead" Or is the waiting time in hours in which case why not spend the money to improve the bus service instead of being helpful and letting everyone know how bad the service is. Latest technology, you can't beat it.

In my spot in Perak the local authorities are spending cash (not mine, hehehe      ) on putting timers on the traffic lights. It lets you know that you have 45 seconds etc. before the lights change. Why? It was never a problem, and certainly not a problem on a motorbike - what lights?

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hi,

On the few times that I've visited Penang it's always been a challenge to get to grips with the bus system,

You could always jump in that car that you bought?

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Have to say, that after having lived in Thailand 2 years and Philippines 6 years before coming to Malaysia, I find the bus services pretty good by comparison. Maybe I am just lucky that where I live is serviced by quite a few buses that can take me where I need to go. At least Rapid Penang and Rapid KL buses are kept clean and seem to be roadworthy.

Not sure if the new system of timed boards will be help any though. Maybe it will on the basis that at least you know how long you have to chat to other waiting travellers before your bus arrives.

As an aside, just had my first experience of the bus terminal at Bukit Jalil. What a nightmare place that is. The bus touts are a real pain, especially when you actually know what bus service you want to travel with, and when you enquire as to what time the bus leaves,..........they lie!!

The trip back to Penang was actually pretty good though. What a fantastic road!

Regards

Ken

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hi,

The old merc from Perak to Penang. Touch 'n Go all the way.

I haven't been to Bukit Jalil as I haven't been via KL since Puduraya closed, but I've used the Larkin bus station in Johor Bahru many times. The touts there read pretty much the same, very sticky and hard to shake off. You arrive at the station and move towards any ticket office and you'll attract a tout who makes sure that he pushes in first to establish that you're his "referral" so he gets a cut. It makes going round the ticket offices to see what's available a bit of an exercise.

I've tried the "no thank you" and the "don't want" approach. And the keeping quiet. And just going straight to Dunkin' Donuts to plan a strategy. The ticket fare from JB to Ipoh is 1/2 the price, as it's in RM, when travelling from Larkin rather than Beach Road in Singapore. But with the touts and the fact that coaches on internal routes are the poor end of the fleet, I eventually gave up and paid the extra in Singapore.

I've found that Puduraya in KL was much better for looking around for tickets with limited interference. Guess there's so many more people than Larkin so no need for the touts to act like velcro, I don't stick out like a sore thumb, and it's easy to disappear in the crowd.

Puduraya is supposed to re-open next month so Bukit Jalil will probably revert to being somewhat out in the sticks.

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Talking about Taxis, Have you noticed they have this "Metered Taxi. Haggling Prohibited" sign on them. Has anyone ever managed to get a taxi to turn on their meter. I never have, and they get really stroppy if you ask them to.

So the "Haggling Prohibited" bit is obviously one sided.

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In KL I find that getting a metered taxi is not difficult. Sometimes you have to ask "strongly."
In Penang not only is getting a meter turned on impossible even haggling is a waste of time.
Driivng a taxi in Penang is like being  a member of a coffee club. You sit around and chat all day. The idea of actually getting  a fare from a local is completely foreign to your modus operandai.
It'll change some day but don't hold your breath.

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If one has lived in Penang before Rapid Penang, you will find that the old system was not even worth waiting for. The first time I took RapidPenang was 2 years ago when they first introduced the new buses. Once I had to wait over an hour for the bus. I gave up and never use it again during that visit. But, I have been following their progress and improvement, and last trip in Penang - I used RapidPenang to every places I wanted to go. And, if timed properly, the longest I had ever waited was 15 mins. That was incredible for Penang. I have not for once taken the taxi during the 6 weeks stay in Penang!

I like the idea of them introducing the new system to make the commuting even better. I mean if I know the next bus I is another 20 mins wait, I can always walk into Prangin Mall for a bit of cool air, rather than sitting in the horrid cement bench in an ill ventilated space of Komtar central bus station. I hope they will introduce at Queensbay Mall as a trial for shopping centre. Then, I can wait at Coffee Bean, or walk around in a  nice, comfort environment then waiting at the bus stop outside in hot temperature. That is progress. I am all for it for making Penang a better commuting place.

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I like the idea of them introducing the new system to make the commuting even better. I mean if I know the next bus I is another 20 mins wait, I can always walk into Prangin Mall for a bit of cool air, rather than sitting in the horrid cement bench in an ill ventilated space of Komtar central bus station. I hope they will introduce at Queensbay Mall as a trial for shopping centre. Then, I can wait at Coffee Bean, or walk around in a  nice, comfort environment then waiting at the bus stop outside in hot temperature. That is progress. I am all for it for making Penang a better commuting place.

I think you are right, especially at places like Komtar and Queensbay where it is just so uncomfortable to wait not knowing how long it will be.

Until we can organise a car we avoid taxis when possible, and use Rapid Penang all the time, and as I said before, compared to where I have come from, it is quite a relief.

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Rapid Penang great service except the air con a bit cool for my taste, I'd use the old Blue/Black Hinh bus service drivers are good all windows open its an enjoyable ride I like, and at least they give you change if you don't have correct fare, was on Hinh from G'town to Ferringhi January a load of senior school boys got on sat at rear of bus where I was, they got the cigs out passing around getting their quick sneaky fix, that I could put up with but as their were 2 distinct groups of lads mostly sturdy/heavy build and loud, other standard slim Asian size I recall different school blazers, well 2-3 of the sturdy lads pinned a small lad against the bus side tried to force cig into his mouth , he certainly from his actions did not want to smoke was struggling as best he could. Bus driver could see in his mirror but did nothing, What should you do? Well I stood up 6ft 2" tapped the sturdy lads on the shoulder < perhaps wrong> I  said look the little lad doesn't want to smoke can't you leave him alone. That worked the heavy mob moved off but gave me some bad looks as they left the bus. All thoughts comments welcome. :(e

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You have misunderstood the sign on the sides of taxis these days..... "Metered Taxi. Haggling Prohibited" ..... it means yes, I do have a meter but don't hassle me to use it!!!

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You have misunderstood the sign on the sides of taxis these days..... "Metered Taxi. Haggling Prohibited" ..... it means yes, I do have a meter but don't hassle me to use it!!!

Every taxi I have caught in Malaysia I have been able to haggle on the fair---especially if you know what it should cost

I have had a few drivers that have ran the meter as a comparison for what the price should be, as an example 20myr is always the number given for Penang times square to the Gurney (song river)--real price on a meter is 10myr

the usual 10- 12myr quoted price for almost anywhere around Georgetown, usually comes to 4myr

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Penang taxi is okay as long as the car is clean and doesn't smell, like sweaty Indians. Sorry, no offense. But I have taken a few and a few times, I really could not take the strong odour in the car. And, why can't they have the A/C serviced for the comfort of passenger. And, meter?? What meter?? It is there for look. Best to know the price, as said by Breathless. Know the price, ask the price before jumping in. Otherwise, RapidPenang MYR$2 to most places. That is a too cheap. Love the bus A/C, put me to sleep each time.

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The last time we were in KL, it took four attempts before we found a taxi driver that would agree to use the meter but alas he took us the long way and we end up having to pay almost as much, have we negotiated on a price. 

However, I was so impressed that he agreed to use the meter that I wanted to give him a tip but I didn't have any ringgit left seeing as it was a trip to Central Station, KL to catch the airport bus. Infact, he ended up accepting one ringgit less than shown on the meter. 

I rather put up with the inconvenience of unreliable service than be packed like sardines in the Tokyo railway carriage.