Tuesday 14 October 2014

Malls launch free shuttle service

Malls launch free shuttle service

GURNEY Plaza and Gurney Paragon Mall, two popular shopping malls here, have introduced a free Rapid Penang loop shuttle bus service.

The service, which is fully sponsored by the two malls, offers transport between the two malls and around the Pulau Tikus area.

It is also expected to reduce traffic congestion near and around the malls, especially during peak hours and holidays.

From 8am to 11pm daily, the shuttle bus will make a total of 16 trips hourly.

It starts at Gurney Plaza and makes 19 stops along the way in Jalan Kelawai, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Burmah and Jalan Pangkor, and ends at Gurney Paragon Mall.

The bus in blue and purple is easily recognisable and distinct from the regular Rapid Penang, which is in blue and yellow.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey, who helped initiate a two-month trial of the shuttle service last year, said the bus connected Pulau Tikus with the two malls.

“People can now park their car in Pulau Tikus and take the bus to the malls or the other way around.“

“This will give more convenience to drivers who would be able to save time looking and waiting for a place to park.

“They can also take in the sights in Pulau Tikus, especially the Wat Chayamangkalaram and Dhammikarama Siamese and Burmese temples, and sample the famous hawker food before or after visiting the malls,” she said after launching the shuttle service with state Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow in Jalan Kelawai recently.

Yap praised the two malls for making the effort to ease the traffic congestion in the area and encouraging people to use public transport.

“We are trying to promote public transport with the aim of reducing air and noise pollution as well as traffic congestion,”” she said.


Chow Kon Yeow (left), Yap Soo Huey (second from left) and Rapid Penang chief operating officer Major (rtd) Mohd Shukri Abdul Rahman (fourth from left) launch the new service.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~