Buses play a major role in the public transportation system of Malaysia. Many public and private companies operate various types of buses throughout the various states of Malaysia.
Regulation Today, bus service provision for public transport in Malaysia is regulated by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
Types in use
In Malaysia, the most common types of buses used are single-decker buses, double-decker buses, and mini buses. Single-decker buses, also known as city buses, are designed to operate within urban areas and are mostly used for short to medium-length journeys. Double-decker buses, on the other hand, are mainly used for longer journeys, such as intercity travel, and offer greater capacity with their upper decks. Midi buses, which are smaller than full-sized buses but larger than mini buses, are also commonly used in Malaysia. They are ideal for routes with lower passenger demand and narrow roads. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in eco-friendly public transportation, and Malaysia has been introducing electric buses and hybrid buses as well.
As of 2021, the Malaysian government plans to launch a pilot program to introduce hydrogen fuel cell buses in Kuching, Sarawak. These buses produce zero-emission and are expected to improve air quality in urban areas.
Services Aside from normal urban and inter-urban services, bus transport in Malaysia also has a number of niche uses: Express services Shuttle bus services, including airport bus (KLIA), university shuttles (UM, UPM and UKM), rail replacement bus service for Kelana Jaya Line and currently Ampang Line Employee bus services, which mostly painted in blue colour School bus services, which mostly painted in yellow colour Hail and Ride services Demand responsive transport (DRT) services such as Kumpool, Mobi and TrekRides van pooling service Long-distance coach services Free public transport such as Go KL City Bus (Malaysian only)
Bus rapid transit systems
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-capacity, high-frequency bus-based public transportation system that has gained popularity in many countries as a cost-effective alternative to traditional light rail systems. BRT systems typically have dedicated lanes, independent stations and high-capacity buses that provide a reliable and efficient service to commuters.
In Malaysia, BRT has become an alternative to light rail proposals due to cost considerations. Currently, only one BRT system in Malaysia, which is the BRT Sunway Line, which serves as a feeder service to the existing rail network in Klang Valley. Sunway BRT services the southeastern suburbs of Petaling Jaya, Selangor and is the world's first all-electric system.
Other cities in Malaysia that have plan to implemented BRT systems include Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. The BRT system in Johor Bahru, also known as the Iskandar Malaysia BRT, is part of a larger public transportation network that also includes the RTS Link. It will consist of trunk, direct, and feeder bus rapid transit corridors. The BRT Kota Kinabalu and BRT Kuching were planned to provide a reliable and efficient service to commuters in the city centre in both cities.
Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART)
The ART, which is a lidar-guided bi-articulated bus, offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional rail transit, making it an attractive option for rapidly growing urban areas. On 16 December 2022, the Premier of Sarawak released the Phase 1 integrated transit map of the KUTS project with a 69.9-kilometer route consisting of 3 initial lines and a total of 31 stations (with 5 provisional stations) to be completed in stages, with Phase 1 of the Blue Line scheduled to be completed in 2026 while the remaining lines are to be constructed at a later date.
In Johor's Iskandar Malaysia region, the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system is being proposed. Previous plans to implement this technology in Putrajaya have been dropped due to high costs. In 2026, due to concerns over scalability of the ART system, there are calls to construct an automated people mover instead for Johor Bahru, similar to the LRT in Singapore and the Pujiang Line in Shanghai.
Private uses
Private buses are commonly used in Malaysia for various purposes such as charter services, school transportation and company employee transportation. For example, charter bus Service is offered by Rapid Penang that provides reliable and affordable transportation options for schools, companies or anyone. The service charges are based on the duration of the service or mileage, ranging from RM 600 to RM 1600. Private buses are commonly used for holiday travel as well, with many companies offering tour packages that include transportation by private bus.
Private buses used for holiday travel in Malaysia are typically equipped with air conditioning, comfortable seating, and often have on-board entertainment systems. They are used for a variety of tours, including city tours, nature tours, and cultural tours. For example, Hop-On Hop-Off concept open top bus is available in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Private buses can be rented for exclusive use by tour groups, providing flexibility and convenience to the group.
Operating companies Bus services in Malaysia are primarily operated by private companies, with a few community-based or not-for-profit entities and local authority-affiliated companies also in operation.
Stage bus
The largest stage bus operator in Malaysia is the government-owned company Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, which operates a number of stage bus services under the subsidiary of Rapid Bus in several regions such as the Klang Valley and Greater Penang. Other major stage bus operators in Malaysia include Causeway Link (mainly in Johor Bahru, Melaka and Klang Valley) and PerakTransit. The federal government also has established the Interim Stage Bus Support Fund (ISBSF) to help cover the daily operating costs of other stage bus operators, especially in rural areas, who have incurred losses due to unprofitable routes. This initiative was created to ensure that small bus companies do not terminate their services and continue to operate in rural areas. +StatesService areasStage bus operatorsBus terminalPerlisPerlisBAS.MY Kangar (MARA Liner)KedahUniversiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)BAS.MY Kangar (MARA Liner), UUMuniversity shuttle busAlor Setar, Padang TerapJalan Langgar, HBR, MARA LinerShahab PerdanaSungai PetaniTanjung Mewah, MARA LinerIntercity routesMARA LinerRapid PenangPenangPenangRapid PenangWeld Quay, KOMTAR, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Penang Sentral, The Summit, Dato KailanUniversiti Sains Malaysia (USM)USM (Unic Leisure)university shuttle busBukit MertajamLean HockThe SummitPerakIpoh, Kampar, Batu Gajah, Seri IskandarBAS.MY Ipoh (PerakTransit)Medan KiddKuala KangsarPerakTransit, Wai Thong, Red OmnibusKuala KangsarLenggong, GerikPerakTransitManjung, BeruasBatu GajahTeluk Intan, Kampung GajahTeluk IntanKampar, TapahBas Perak Sejahtera (PerakTransit) KamparSungai SiputBas Perak Sejahtera (PerakTransit)Sungai SiputTaipingRed Omnibus, Bas Perak Sejahtera (PerakTransit)Taiping, Kamuntinghttps://web.archive.org/web/20200519174330/http://www.mypublictransport.com:80/2011/10/perak-bus-routes.htmlBlue OmnibusTerminal TaipingPantai Remis, Manjung, Sitiawan, Lumut, Simpang, Terong, Changkat Jering, Kuala Sepetang, MatangBlue OmnibusTerminal Taiping, Seri Manjung Bus Station, Lumut Bus StationParit BuntarRapid Penang, Red OmnibusSungkai, BidorBas Perak Sejahtera (PerakTransit)Bagan DatukMARA LinerKamunting, Bagan Serai, Selama, Sungai Siputeh, Batu Kurau, Padang Rengas, Simpang Ampat SemanggolRed OmnibusKelantanKota Bharu, Tumat, Pasir Mas, Bachok, Machang, Kuala Krai, Gua MusangBAS.MY Kota Bharu (Mutiara Rentas Desa)Kota Bahru (Stage Bus Terminal)TerengganuKuala Terengganu, Marang, Hulu TerengganuBAS.MY Kuala Terengganu (MARA Liner)PahangKuantan, PekanBAS.MY Kuantan (Sanwa Tours)Kuantan SentralPekanSanwa ToursRaubCentral Pahang, Pahang Lin Siong, Sanwa ToursLipis, JerantutPahang Lin SiongBentongSanwa, Sri MarongTemerloh, MaranGreen Transit LinerSelangor12 cities and municipalitiesSmart Selangor Bus (Rapid KL, MARA Liner, Wawasan Sutera or Causeway Link)Klang Sentral, Banting, RawangKlang ValleyRapid KL