Improving bus services along Route U86

WE thank Amanda Lai for her comments on Route U86 “Rapid KL bus is certainly not rapid” ( The Star, April 2).

We will definitely look into her comments as part of our continuous efforts to provide the best services possible to our customers.

However, we will also need to point out that there are constraints in our operations, including some that are beyond our control.

Route U86, which is the route in question, covers a total length of 42.4km; beginning from Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Kepong Sentral, passing through Ikano and Tesco.

It is currently serviced by three buses and the average travelling time of 1hr 40 min for a round trip; making it 35 minutes per trip.

The biggest challenge in keeping this frequency is the severe traffic congestion during the peak hours between 6am and 10am; and between 4pm and 8pm.

This is largely contributed by the business activities generated in Ikano and Tesco.

This inevitably causes delays in bus arrivals especially in the morning operations.

As part of our efforts to tackle the delays, we have since April1 diverted our route. Instead of passing through the congested PJU7/8 in front of Ikano and Tesco, we have diverted the buses to PJU7/1, which is in front of The Curve and Proton Edar.

But, in diverting the route and skipping the congested Ikano and Tesco area, we have made sure that all existing bus stops as per the old flow are serviced as usual.

With the new route, we have reduced the total distance to 38.9km, making it an average travelling time of 1hr 30 minutes for a round trip. Hence, the frequency time has been cut further to 30 minutes per bus.

We will continue to monitor the situation to continuously find ways to ensure shorter travelling time and quicker frequencies.

While a proposal for more buses appears to be best option, we still have to work within our capabilities, the current demand and business considerations.

We appreciate feedback, comments and suggestions from the customers and they can channel it to our Helpline: 03-7885 2585, 7.00am to 8.30pm (Mon.-fri.), 8.30am to 5.30pm (Sat.-sun.) or email to: suggest@rapidkl.com.my. AZHAR GHAZALI, PRASARANA, Group Communications Manager.