RM15 mln investment on BRT-Sunway Line Electric Buses - Prasarana

The government has invested RM15 million to purchase 15 eco-friendly, battery-operated electric buses from China for the Bus Rapid Transit-Sunway Line (BRT-Sunway).

Prasarana Group president and chief executive officer, Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz said the buses which cost RM1 million each, were bought from BYD Company Limited, a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries, based in Shenzhen.

"Currently, the electric buses are using conventional battery to store its energy and we are trying to look at the latest technology to replace the battery and lower the maintenance cost of the system.

"We will continue to prepare ourselves to seek the latest innovation in this green technology, and to support the government agenda on enhancing green technology and improve the people's lifestyle," he told reporters after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Prasarana Group and Han Culture Centre here today.

On the possibility of increasing the number of environmental-friendly buses in the Klang Valley, Azmi said the government would look into demand depending on the location.

Fully elevated with a distance of 5.4km, the BRT-Sunway Line serviced by 15 environmental-friendly buses, seven stations, including one with ‘Park n Ride’ facilities and a depot, began operations on June 1, last year.

The seven stations are Station Sunway–Setia Jaya, Mentari, Lagoon, SunMed, SunU-Monash, South Quay and USJ 7 as the final station.

With a top speed of 80km/hour, the buses each have a capacity of 67 passengers. - BERNAMA