300 EV vans for Rapid On-Demand between late-2027 and end-2028, zones expanding, in-app payments soon

Rapid On-Demand is going EV – 300 electric vans (130 in the Klang Valley, 170 in Penang) are planned to enter service between late-2027 and end-2028, Bernama reports, with Prasarana Malaysia strategy and planning head Sharul Azwa Abd Rani telling The Star that the cost of the EV vans are still being assessed. Also targeted are 18 new diesel vans for the Klang Valley to bring the total to 255 by end-2028.

There’ll also be new service zones, although Bernama reports 45 (22 Klang Valley, 23 Penang) while The Star reports 53 (31 Klang Valley, 22 Penang) by end-2028, with eight of them complementing the still-delayed LRT3 Shah Alam Line.

The Rapid On-Demand app (download for iOS | download for Android) will be upgraded by mid-February to include in-app payments and a special booking feature for persons with disabilities (OKU), who travel free thanks to the Rapid Mesra pass.

Rapid Bus acting CEO Ku Jamil Zakaria told The Star that about 10% of the new vans will be fitted with remote-controlled swivel seats to help those with mobility issues get on. “For vans without this feature, the drivers will assist those with mobility issues to get on board,” he said.

The Rapid On-Demand fare will be doubled to RM2 a journey beginning February. The RM1 promo fare has existed since the 2023 proof-of-concept phase. The new fare also applies to My50, Rapid Kota, Rapid Kembara and Rapid Keluarga pass holders.

On January 16, Rapid On-Demand took over 16 MRT feeder routes and three Rapid KL bus routes. There’s only one app now – the ability to book the service was removed from Mobi, Trek Rides and Kummute on November 15.