GEORGE TOWN: Penangites will continue to enjoy free and unlimited rides on all Rapid Penang buses next year, after the state government agreed to extend the service.

       State infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari announced this during his winding up speech on the fifth day of the state assembly sitting.

       "The unlimited rides on Rapid Penang buses will be limited to 7,500 Malaysians every month.

       "The free rides for pedestrians on Penang ferry were limited to 65,000 tickets monthly," he said.

       He added he hoped that the programme would encourage more people to use public transportation in the state.

       Since March this year Malaysians with Pas Mutiara My30 cards had enjoyed free bus rides on all Rapid Penang buses throughout the state.

       The initiative saw a sum of RM300,000 for 10,000 commuters every month, bringing the overall total to RM3mil by year end.

       As for the free ferry rides for pedestrian passengers, the state government has been funding the ferry fees for all Malaysian foot passengers with an allocation of about RM78,000 for about 65,000 tickets per month since July.