Kuching: The BAS.MY concession card has been expanded to include Form Six students and trainees at government-owned training institutes nationwide, announced Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Previously, this unlimited travel facility was restricted to Malaysian school students aged seven to 17, senior citizens aged 60 and above, and registered persons with disabilities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Loke stated that the expansion is expected to benefit approximately 2,350 Form Six students and over 3,200 trainees at government-owned training institutes in Kuching and Kota Samarahan. Nearly 850,000 passengers have utilized the BAS.MY Kuching service as of April. Loke emphasized that this initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens and promote public transport usage among the newly included groups.

Loke assured that the BAS.MY fares will remain steady despite global economic challenges, highlighting that the monthly unlimited travel pass had previously been reduced from RM50 to RM30. The government subsidizes both fuel and operational costs under the contract model with bus operators, ensuring no fare increases. "The government does not intend to profit from this service. We want more people to use public transport because it is an important and affordable alternative," he stated.

In addition, six new BAS.MY routes have been introduced in Kuching and its surrounding areas through the Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board. These routes, which began operation on April 1, include Q11 (Arang Road), Q12 (Taman Hui Sing), Q13 (Siburan), Q14 (Summer Mall), Q15 (Stutong Baru/Kuching Sentral), and Q16 (Taman Sukma). Loke noted that the launch of these routes is intended to expand bus coverage and ensure access to more efficient, comfortable, and reliable transport for the public.

Loke also mentioned that the government is planning a second phase of BAS.MY expansion, which will focus on secondary cities such as Sibu and Bintulu in the near future.