Kedah rolls out 13 new BAS.MY bus routes under SBST, boosting access and comfort in public transport with RM80M federal funding.
New BAS.MY Routes in Kedah Projected to Serve 28,000 Users Monthly
Public transport in Kedah has received a significant boost following the rollout of 13 new stage bus routes under the BAS.MY Kota Setar brand. The service, which began operations in stages on June 1, 2025, is part of the Malaysian Federal Government’s Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme designed to enhance access, efficiency, and comfort in the nation’s land transport system.
Funded through the 2024 Federal Budget, the SBST programme provides RM80 million over five years, or RM16 million annually, for the transformation of stage bus services in Kota Setar and surrounding towns such as Sungai Petani, Jitra, Kuala Kedah, Kuala Nerang, and Pendang.
New Routes and Operator
Within Alor Setar, BAS.MY buses operate every 30 minutes along intra-city routes and between 60 to 90 minutes for inter-district services. The network has been mapped to link key destinations, including Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Pekan Rabu, Stadium Darul Aman, UTC Kedah, as well as educational institutions such as UiTM Merbok and POLIMAS. The routes also connect major transit hubs such as KTM Alor Setar, KTM Sungai Petani, Terminal Shahab Perdana, Sultan Halim Airport, and the Kuala Kedah Jetty. Meanwhile, recreational access has been improved as well, with a route linking Pantai Merdeka to Sungai Petani for weekend travel.
According to the official release of the Malaysian Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), as the implementing body of SBTS in Kedah, has appointed Gopi Travel Tours as the operator. The company, which has experience operating SBST services in Seremban, was selected through an open tender process.
More Access, Less Costs
The MOT projects this initiative to serve around 28,000 passengers monthly. The program aims to encourage greater public transport use and help reduce daily costs. “The SBST program aims to enhance existing stage bus services to be more efficient, reliable, and sustainable,” the MOT noted.
The initiative introduces 48 new midi and mini low-floor buses, which offer improved accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Each bus is equipped with modern features such as cashless payment technology and onboard CCTV cameras to ensure convenience and safety.
To make the bus service more accessible and inclusive, the government has introduced free rides for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students (including those in schools, universities, polytechnics, matriculation centres, and community colleges) through the BAS.MY Concession Card scheme. Additionally, a 30-Day BAS.MY Travel Card has also been launched, offering unlimited rides for RM50 per month for registered users.
