Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Monday, 28^th November 2011: 

KTB should delay their termination of their Cityliner bus services by at least 2 weeks 

The Penang state government is requesting KTB to delay their termination of their Cityliner bus services by at least 2 weeks till 15 December 2011 to give time to finalise negotiations on continuing bus services. I had met KTB's Executive Chairman And Managing Director Dato' Sri Mohd. Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh together with Penang State EXCO member for public transport Chow Kon Yeow last week to discuss about their intention to terminate the bus services on 21.11.2011.

However KTB extended the termination till 1st of December 2011. The 32 Cityliner buses ply 7 routes carrying 560 people daily in Seberang Perai:-

1. Butterworth to Baling: BKE, Karangan - Kuala ketil - Baling (2 buses)

2. Butterworth to Padang serai: Penang sentral-chain ferry- Taman Inderawasih- chai leng park- sungai dua- pokok sena - kampung selamat. (6 buses)

3. Butterworth to Bukit Mertajam: Penang sentral-chain ferry- Taman Inderawasih- chai leng park- pacific mall - Jalan Baru - permatang Rawa. (10 buses)

4. Butterworth to Taman Pelangi: Penang sentral-chain ferry- Taman Inderawasih- chai leng park- pacific mall- kawasan perindustrian perai - Taman Pelangi. (2 buses)

5. Bukit Mertajam to Kuala Juru: B.M Plaza -Desa Damai - Jalan Kebun Sireh- Simpang Juru- Simpang Semilang- Kuala Juru.( 2 buses)

6. Bukit Mertajam to Parit Buntar: B.M Plaza -Desa Damai - Jalan Kebun Sireh- Bukit Tengah- Simpang Juru - Valdor - Permatang Tinggi- Jawi - Nibong Tebal - Parit Buntar. (4 buses); and

7. Bukit Mertajam to Nibong Tebal to Parit Buntar (4 buses)

After preliminary discussions, the State Government of Penang has been informed by Konsortium Transnasional Berhad that the Cityliner bus services in Seberang Perai will continue at least till 1 December 2011. The Penang state government hopes that the termination can be extended by KTB for another 2 weeks till 15^th December 2011.

There are total fleet of 32 Cityliner stage buses, with 28 buses operating all 7 routes. The termination of service by city liner will affect the public transport user, and cause inconvenience to them. According to KTB city liner is running severe losses and it is no longer viable for the company to operate their services.

Meanwhile, the State Government is in active negotiations with KTB to seek out a viable and feasible remedy for the longer term. The Penang State Government will also negotiate with Rapid Penang to find solution.

The Penang State Government urges SPAD (Land Public Transport Commission) to intervene with funding and resources as well as to review both social routes(unprofitable but providing for rural areas) and popular routes to ensure that they are served by the respective bus companies. If bus companies serving social routes can not be given popular routes, there should be some subsidy or assistance from SPAD.

The Penang State Government recognises the importance of public transport as an important social good and has provided free bus services. This year the state government spent more than RM 2 million to provide 16 BEST ( bridge express shuttle service transit) buses between Seberang Jaya and the Bayan Lepas FIZ and 3 buses touring the heritage enclave of George Town for free.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister