Penang: The Penang State Government will continue funding 280,000 Mutiara Passes next year, with a total allocation of RM7 million, following the success of the Mutiara Pass and Free Bus programme.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari stated that the Mutiara Pass allows Rapid Penang bus services to be used without charge throughout Penang. The programme, which began on March 1, 2021, has seen 246,934 passes subscribed to or renewed by last November, averaging around 22,448 subscriptions per month.

Zairil highlighted that the Mutiara Pass has been well-received, with card purchases and ridership showing growth each month. He noted the continued positive impact of public transport, especially as Penang’s mega projects enter the construction phase.

The state government plans to maintain 15 free CAT Bridge buses in 2026, alongside 10 buses for CAT 13 from Seberang Jaya to Bayan Lepas and five buses for CAT 14 from Bukit Mertajam to Komtar. Zairil emphasized that subsidizing public transport could encourage more Penang residents to switch from private vehicles to public transport.

He added that the My50 Mutiara Pass subscription subsidy offers users additional cost savings on petrol, parking, and toll fares.