Malaysia Launches World's First Elevated Electric Bus Rapid Transit System

This month, Malaysia launched in Kuala Lumpur the world's first all-electric Bus Rapid Transit system. BRT–Sunway Line has over 3 miles of elevated route through the city, and will be operated by 15 electric buses supplied by BYD.

Mark Kane

By: Mark Kane

Jul 26, 2015 at 4:30pm ET

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BYD electric bus at BRT-Sunway Line, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (image: MYrapid)

Last month, Malaysia launched in Kuala Lumpur the world's first all-electric Bus Rapid Transit system.

BRT–Sunway Line has over 3 miles of elevated route through the city, and will be operated by 15 electric buses supplied by BYD.

It's expected that this year BRT–Sunway Line will be used by 2,400 passengers per hour, and in 20 years it will go up to 5,200.

BYD buses can go up to about 155 miles (250 km) on a a single charge, taking up to 67 passengers.

"Breaking new frontiers in public transportation, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak today officiated Malaysia’s first elevated Bus Rapid Transit system, the BRT–Sunway Line (BRT-Sunway Line) - the nation’s newest initiative in enhancing mobility amongst the community and reducing traffic congestion in the Klang Valley.

Implemented under the innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme via the collaboration of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Sunway Berhad, the landmark project was also officially penned as the first BRT project in Malaysia in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) - the official keepers of Malaysia’s outstanding records and achievements.

To operate with environmentally-friendly buses and completed three weeks ahead of schedule, the project, which is the first fully elevated BRT service in Malaysia, was also recorded as the nation’s first electric bus public transportation system by MBOR."

Prasarana Chairman Tan Sri Ismail Adam said in his speech at the official ceremony:

“This is indeed a historical day for Malaysia. Today marks a new beginning in Malaysia’s public transport services. We hope that the success of this project will inspire other corporate companies to collaborate with us under the PPP umbrella for new initiatives to further promote effective public transport services in Malaysia.

On behalf of Prasarana, I would like to congratulate Sunway for their visionary outlook and working with us to have an elevated BRT system for this growing township. We have very good working relationship and that had allowed us to complete the project three weeks ahead of schedule."

Sunway Group Founder and Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah said:

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“We have achieved a remarkable milestone for the nation's public transportation at large. We believe that this first-of-its-kind project in Malaysia will be setting the minimum benchmark standard and model for all future BRT lines and public-private initiatives."

“I am pleased to inform that the BRT-Sunway Line has been completed three weeks ahead of schedule.”

BYD electric bus at BRT-Sunway Line, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (image: MYrapid)

Source: myrapid.com.my, thestar.com.my

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