GEORGE TOWN: Perbadanan Bukit Bendera Pulau Pinang (PBBPP), in collaboration with Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd and the Penang Government, has announced the launch of a free shuttle bus service to Penang Hill from Komtar for five days, from January 29 to February 2, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the service will operate from 9 am to 9 pm, with eight trips per day in both directions every hour and a half. Passengers can board the shuttle at the 9 Komtar bus stop located at Jalan Ria, next to the Rapid Penang kiosk, to reach the Penang Hill Lower Station and vice versa.

The statement from PBBPP highlighted that the pick-up and drop-off locations will feature distinct visuals to make the service easier to identify. The shuttle buses are also designed to be wheelchair-friendly for passengers with accessibility needs. Additionally, the buses will be clearly marked as the ‘Penang Hill Free Shuttle Service’ for easy identification.

PBBPP stated that the timetable for the shuttle service is available on their official website and social media platforms. They also informed that if the shuttle bus reaches its maximum capacity, visitors are encouraged to take the Rapid Penang Route 204 bus from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal via Komtar to Penang Hill at the regular fare. This service operates every 35 minutes during peak hours and every 45 minutes during off-peak hours.

PBBPP noted that since its launch in 2023, the service has received a positive response, with the recent school holiday period in 2024 recording over 1,100 passengers using the free shuttle bus service. The consistent increase in passenger numbers reflects the popularity of the free shuttle service among both locals and visitors, highlighting the success of PBBPP’s efforts to improve accessibility and promote public transport use to reduce traffic congestion.