MAIN CAMPUS, 6 May – In line with focus on empowering welfare, community and sustainability, on May 6 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Rapid Penang collaboration launch ceremony was conducted at Padang Kawad USM introducing a new route of T310 service which operates in the campus are, then reaches to Terminal Ekspres Sungai Nibong, Kompleks Bukit Jambul and Queensbay Mall.

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Present to complete the symbolic launch was the Vice Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed with the Head of North Region, Rapid Bus Sdn. Bhd., Ahmad Shabuddin Abdullah.  Also present was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Industry and Community Network, Professor Dr. Azlan Amran; Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student and Alumni Development Affairs, Professor Dr. Shaharum Shamsuddin and the President of the Student Representative Council, Muhammad Nazmi Hakimi Mohd Eiman.

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According to the Vice Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, this new route will open a new chapter in public transport services in Penang and will directly provide facilities especially for USM students as well as other local residents in this area.

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“This matter is in line with USM’s focus on empowering welfare, community and sustainability related to various aspects including economic aspects in the state of Penang”, said Abdul Rahman.

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This route will be implemented for 3 months starting from 2 May 2024 until 31 July 2024, where this service is provided from 6 A.M. to 10.30 P.M with fares from RM 0.90 to RM 2.10. 

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Before starting the trial buses on 2 May 2024, with the collaboration of the society Bike Commute Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Rapid Penang, students were encouraged to get their Mutiara passes for RM 50.00 which can be used for a whole month on 29 April 2024 to 30 April 2024. 

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According to one of the agent of Marketing and Charter Department Rapid Penang, Jaslinna, the main objective of this effort is to encourage students to implement the usage of public transport in their daily lives. 

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“Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is getting flooded with cars day by day, as this subconsciously affects our environment so by introducing a route such as these students could travel inside and outside campus which is to Terminal Ekspres Sungai Nibong, Kompleks Bukit Jambul and Queensbay Mall”, said Jaslinna. 

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Jaslinna mentioned that this T310 bus service covers a distance of almost 15 km which has 35 bus stops with the frequency of every 20 to 30 minutes. The President of the Bike Commute Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Muhammad Amri Md Syukri states that the bike commute society are working together with Rapid Penang to spread about this new effort in much bigger scale through social media such as Whatsapp and Instagram.

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“Word of mouth is a vital element in getting people to know about this issue, many people are excited about this but they simply just do not know where to start, that is why Bike Commute members are there to guide”, said Amri.

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Amri also states that once students have their own Mutiara pass they will be more spirited in taking public transport as it is much cheaper compared to other ways of travelling. 

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“We cannot stay ignorant of the amount of cars, motorcycles flooding in USM every day, but we can try to be a sustainable traveler by taking the bus”, said Amri.