Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
THE Penang government launched the ninth route of its Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) free shuttle service in Bayan Baru on July 16.
The daily service started operational the following day from 6.30am to 11.30pm with four green-coloured buses plying the 10km route.
Batu Maung assemblymember Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, who is also the state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman, said the RM15 million initiative by the state government covers 12 routes in both island and mainland.
“Apart from helping to reduce congestion, it’s convenient for the people to use public transport. One also does not need to find a parking lot,” Abdul Halim said when he launched the CAT Bayan Baru near the Olive Tree Hotel.
“The bus frequency is every 20 minutes subject to the traffic situation. The free shuttle service will also help commuters to ease their cost of living. In all, the plan is to deploy a total of 52 buses for the 12 routes.”
Among those present at the launch were North East District officer Zepri Saad, RapidPenang head of operation, control and support Osman Amir, Jafri Md Zain (who represented Barat Daya police chief Supt A. Anbalagan) and Sungai Ara JKKK chairman Amirulzaman Ismail.
Together with several other guests, Abdul Halim later hopped on a CAT bus for a ride.
It took them past the Mini Stadium in Sungai Ara, Tunas Muda, Bayan Baru police station, Bayan Baru Health Clinic, SMK Raja Tun Uda, Pantai Hospital, Giant, Taman Gedung Height, Gedung Height flats, Astaka Bukit Gedung, Masjid Umar Al-Khattab, Sunshine Square, Mayang Mall, SPICE Arena, SJKC Min Sin, Kompleks Bukit Jambul and Kampung Jawa.
The roads involved were Jalan Mahsuri, Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Jalan Tengah, Jalan Mayang Pasir, Persiaran Mayang Pasir, Cangkat Mayang Pasir and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.