New app for fuss-free Rapid Penang rides
GEORGE TOWN: From Monday, Rapid Penang commuters can enjoy smoother public transportation thanks to the company’s new app for the iPad and iPhone.
Its chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said commuters with the app, named Rapid Penang iPlanner, would be able to check the arrival time of Rapid Penang buses which are all equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System).
“For example, if you are waiting for a bus somewhere in Datuk Keramat, you can open the application and click on a bus stop and it will indicate the time of the next bus’ arrival.
“The app can be downloaded from Apple’s app store via iTunes for free,” he said, adding that the app would be especially useful to visitors.
“It will tell commuters which bus to take and where to transit based on where they are travelling from,” he said.
Azhar was speaking to reporters during his farewell luncheon yesterday. He has been appointed National Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chief operating officer effective next month.
He said ridership was expected to increase from 35 million to 48 million per year with 200 additional buses, adding that bus frequency would be improved to between five and seven minutes on major routes.
“Among the extra buses are some 60 double-deckers which will be available in the first quarter of next year.”
Azhar described his four-year tenure at Rapid Penang as eventful.
He said the many innovative ideas introduced such as Intelligent Computer Information System (ICIS), which provides commuters with real-time information on the arrival time of buses, and free WiFi had propelled Rapid Penang’s success, which started with only three million ridership in 2007.
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Posted by admin on April 6, 2011 under Tourism News.
