Kuala Lumpur: The opening of a one-kilometre extended dedicated bus lane along Jalan Ampang is set to reduce travel time by up to 30 minutes for commuters traveling from the Pandan Indah Hub to the City Centre. The initiative, which begins today, promises to enhance public transportation efficiency in the area.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rapid Bus Development and Infrastructure chief Zainurul Hakim stated that the extension, undertaken in collaboration with the Public Works Department (JKR) of Selangor, increases the total length of the dedicated bus lane to 4 kilometers. The first phase, launched on July 3, 2023, saw a 3-kilometer stretch that reduced travel time by 18 to 20 minutes, cutting the previous 67-minute journey to 47 minutes.
Zainurul Hakim highlighted that the new 1-kilometer extension is expected to save an additional 10 minutes, bringing the total travel time down to 37 minutes. He also noted that bus frequency is anticipated to become more consistent along the extended 4-kilometer route, enhancing the overall commuting experience.
The trial run for the extended bus lane covers Section A, which extends from the entrance to the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) to the Jalan Mamanda 1 intersection, connecting with the existing Jalan Ampang bus lane. Section B extends from the Bandar Baru Ampang/Jalan Wawasan Ampang Intersection bus stop to the exit at the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE).
Since the implementation of phase one, daily ridership has increased from 12,800 to 14,500 passengers, with expectations to reach 20,000 following this extension. Rapid Bus and JKR plan to monitor the situation over the next three months, focusing on travel time and congestion at the key sections.
The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are the two main routes: Route 300 (Pandan Indah Hub-Lebuh Ampang) and Route 303 (Mulia Jaya Bus Stop-Lebuh Ampang), along with several feeder bus routes serving areas such as Pandan Indah, Bukit Indah, Mulia Jaya, and Lembah Jaya. A total of 33 buses will operate on Route 300, which boasts the highest ridership with a bus frequency of every three minutes.
The dedicated bus lanes will operate from 6 am to 9 am on weekdays, aiming to streamline the morning commute for thousands of passengers in the area.