Luxury on wheels

Luxury on wheels

IF you think travelling on a public bus is boring, try hopping on one equipped with a computer, flatscreen television and PlayStation 3.

The newly launched Rapid Hitz on Wheels bus, which is touted as the first of its kind in the country, kicked off in George Town on Thursday for a three-month trial run.

A joint effort between Rapid Penang and AMP Radio Networks, it is specially tailored to those aged between 16 and 24.

Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said they hoped to shift the youngsters’ mindset on public transport with the introduction of Rapid Hitz on Wheels.

“Many of them view public buses as just the transport mode of the low-income group when it can actually be a fun way of travelling for professionals and youths,” he said after launching the bus with AMP Radio Networks executive director Datuk Borhanuddin Osman on Thursday.

Crew of Hitz.fm, an English radio station under AMP, will drop by at different bus stations to pick up 15 lucky commuters for a short free tour.

There will be live broadcasting and quizzes on the bus from time to time. Those who answer the questions correctly will receive goodies.

The crew will also provide free canned drinks and magazines for commuters.

Those who wish to enjoy the fun ride can look out for the bus from 4pm to 10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when it takes the route along Belissa Row in Pulau Tikus, Gurney Drive, Farquhar Street, Weld Quay and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling before returning to Belissa Row.

On Friday from 6pm to midnight, Rapid Hitz on Wheels can be spotted along Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Bayview Beach Resort, Jalan Fettes and Jalan Burma.

From 3pm to midnight on Saturday, the bus will go to Gurney Drive, Penang Bridge, Jalan Juru, Weld Quay, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Belissa Row.

On Sunday from 11am to 8pm, the bus will ply the route from Belissa Row to Jalan Perak, Jelutong Expressway, Jalan Aziz Ibrahim, Weld Quay and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah before returning to Belissa Row.

Borhanuddin said they chose to have the first of its kind Rapid Hitz on Wheels in Penang because they believed Penangites were quite receptive to changes.

“We want to promote public transport to youths before they decide to purchase cars and make the roads more congested,” he said.

Asked if there were plans to have more of such buses or extend the three-month trial period, Borhanuddin said they would decide later.

Azhar later introduced press members to the company’s first 'Go Green’ concept bus that was developed to promote environmental-friendly public transportation system.

Designed with flora and fauna images in the interior, the bus is equipped with pipe-in music of nature’s sounds, including the chirping of birds.

-News courtesy of The Star-