Penang govt starts smart bus shelter pilot project

The Penang government in partnership with edotco Malaysia Sdn Bhd, an integrated telecommunication infrastructure services company, has launched the smart bus shelter pilot project which is equipped with telecommunication solutions in Lengkok Tenggiri, Seberang Perai, yesterday.

The proof-of-concept (POC) was equipped with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera and a panic button that is directly linked to the Royal Malaysia Police, a digital advertising panel, a WiFi hotspot and a charging pod, all powered by rooftop solar panels.

State Housing, Town and Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the implementation of the smart bus shelter pilot project was part of the effort to transform Penang into a smart city.

He said that a similar POC would be implemented in Sungai Dua on Penang island, as a trial run for six months before the design is finalised and implemented across the state, which currently has 1,129 bus stops on the mainland and 600 bus stops on the island.

“The rationale behind the choice (for implementing the smart bus shelter pilot project) was that the selected areas have a lot of traffic and is densely populated, and we can better assess the success of the POC or for troubleshooting,” he told the reporters after officiating the launch here.

Meanwhile, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) president Datuk Rozali Mohamud said that the smart bus shelter would bring comfort and convenience to the residents in Seberang Jaya, especially for the 18,685 residents living within a 500-meter radius of the POC.

He also urged the users to be responsible when using the public facility and not vandalise them.

Also present at the launch ceremony were Seberang Jaya State Assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Northern Region Head Rizal Abdul Malek and edotco Group Chief Regional Officer Wan Zainal Adileen. Bernama