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Rapid Penang buses at the Balik Pulau Bus Terminal
Taking the bus is now a convenient way to get around Penang Island and most parts of the mainland. It wasn't so all the while, though. Until August 2007, taking the bus was an exercise in utter misery. The existed bus companies were using old, ramshakled buses with irregular, infrequent services. All this changed overnight when the government, tired of the incessant complaints from the public, introduced a new bus company into Penang. The new company, called Rapid Penang (the word Rapid is an acronym for Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras, and Rapid Penang is a subsidiary of RapidKL, the bus and mass transit company in Kuala Lumpur), transformed and improved bus services on Penang Island and some parts of the mainland overnight.
As of now, I will only recommend taking buses from Rapid Penang. Although the other bus companies still exist and continue to ply their routes, they are no match to the frequency and comfort of Rapid Penang's fleet of 150 buses plying 33 routes on Penang Island and the mainland.
Fare
The bus fare for taking Rapid Penang ranges from RM1.00 to RM3.00 depending on the distance traveled. Expect to pay RM1.00 or RM1.50 for rides anywhere within George Town. Rides between George Town and places outside the city should cost about RM2.00 while rides from George Town to places further away such as Balik Pulau and Seberang Perai should cost RM3.00.
2 July 2008 Update: Rapid Penang has informed me that they have not increased their bus fare since the increase in fuel prices earlier the previous month. They are still following the existing fare.
