Search

Vaccine recipients laud low fare bus programme

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
PPV Sibu Indoor Stadium is one of the bus destinations in the implementation of the Bus Fare Program as low as RM1.

SIBU: The RM1 Low Price Bus Fare Programme to bring vaccine recipients who do not have transportation to the Covid-19 vaccination centre (PPV) has received encouraging response from the public.

Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association advisor Lau Khing Seng said the programme was a win-win arrangement between the state government, bus companies and the people.

“This programme is well received by the community, especially those who do not have their own transportation. The benefits are not only for them but also all those involved in the implementation of the programme.

“For example, Sibu Jaya, the usual one-way fare from the city is RM6. However, under this programme, the people only have to pay RM1.

“The daily schedule of bus companies that participate in this programme is from 6am to 5pm. However, for some PPVs with a smaller number of vaccine recipients, the bus schedule is until 3pm every day,” he said on Sunday.

On bus size, Lau stressed that larger buses are used for PPVs far from the city centre and smaller buses for PPVs located less than 6km from the city.

“This type of arrangement is good because the bus company has good results when trying this approach. For the government, if they use other methods to bring the people to PPV, the government will be charged higher costs such as involving individual cars for the purpose.”

He added that the bus would stop right in front of the PPV, especially the smaller buses.

Vaccine recipients wait for their turn to get vaccinated at the Sibu Indoor Stadium.

The Sarawak Ministry of Transport in collaboration with relevant agencies and bus companies has provided this service to bring people to PPV in major cities in the state including Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Miri.

The public can view the route and bus schedule to the PPV at www.https://mot.sarawak.gov.my.

Transport Minister Datuk Lee Khim Sim said that with the programme, those eligible for vaccination have the option to use public transport.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.