Malaysia has always been supportive of the transition to electric vehicles despite the inadequate infrastructure across the country. Earlier, the government even announced plans to offer more incentives to promote the domestic EV ecosystem. Recently, the GoKL free bus service has also made the switch to use electric vehicles. The service is going to run battery electric vehicles (BEV) to turn Kuala Lumpur into a low-carbon city. The launch of the new electric bus and new routes for the GoKL free bus service took place yesterday.
GoKL free bus service switch to electric bus
The switch will begin on 1 November 2021, starting the operation in Wangsa Maju first. The operation is in line with the first zero-carbon township initiative in Kuala Lumpur, towards carbon reduction by 2030.
According to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the BEV service is an action plan to be implemented in a more targeted approach around the city.
In line with the launch, the BEV bus design has a new green wrapping. The minister explained that the new design promotes “living a healthier lifestyle”.
Full use of electric bus by early 2023
Eventually, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will replace the old buses with BEVs by 2023. According to Shahidan, they will gradually increase the number of electric buses according to a schedule.
Moreover, an electric bus can complete a journey of up to 250 kilometres (km) for a single charge of the batteries.
GoKL free bus service new routes 2021
Meanwhile, the Hijau Serindit route (Parrot Green Line) and Kelabu route (Gray Line) are the two new routes for the GoKL free bus service, effective 1 November 2021.
Hijau Serindit route (Parrot Green Line)
The 13.8km Serindit Green Line will start from the Maluri MRT Transit Hub to Bandar Sri Permaisuri.
Kelabu route (Gray Line)
The 16.7km Gray Line will start from the Cochrane MRT terminal to Bandar Tun Razak.
These two new routes have been created to give passengers more choices by changing the mode of transport from bus to rail.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim
(Source: BERNAMA)
