Rapid Penang Bus T310 is a special bus service introduced to connect Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with Queensbay Mall, one of the island’s premier shopping destinations. While designed with USM students in mind, the service is open to the general public, offering an affordable and reliable way to travel between the campus and the mall. The route also passes through nearby residential and commercial areas, making it useful for commuters living around Sungai Dua and Bukit Gambir.
The T310 bus service was launched on 2 May 2024 with the aim of providing USM students with direct and convenient transport to Queensbay Mall1. Initially, the service was announced as a temporary arrangement that would run until 31 July 2024. However, as of 17 September 2024, a check with Rapid Penang confirmed that the service is still operating, reflecting its continued demand and usefulness.
The T310 starts and ends at Hub Padang Kawad within the USM campus. It travels through the university grounds before heading out towards Bukit Gambir, Sungai Dua, and finally to Queensbay Mall. The return trip follows a slightly different path but ensures direct re-entry into USM.
This routing ensures that students have access to major roads leading out of the campus and into the Sungai Dua–Bukit Gambir corridor before reaching Queensbay Mall.
The fare structure for the T310 is the same as other Rapid Penang routes, with charges ranging from RM0.90 for the shortest trips to RM2.10 for the longest distance. Passengers can pay using:
This makes the T310 not only accessible but also cost-effective, especially for students who rely on public transport for daily commuting.
The T310 bus service operates daily from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. During peak hours, buses run approximately every 20 minutes, while during non-peak hours, the frequency is about every 30 minutes. This regular schedule ensures that passengers can rely on the service for both study-related commutes and leisure trips.
The introduction of the T310 highlights the importance of student-focused public transport. USM students represent a large commuter group in Penang, and providing them with direct access to a major shopping and lifestyle destination like Queensbay Mall helps reduce the reliance on private vehicles, easing congestion along the Sungai Dua corridor.
Moreover, because the bus is open to the general public, it also benefits residents living around USM, Bukit Gambir, and Sungai Dua, who gain a convenient link to Queensbay Mall and surrounding commercial areas.
When first launched, the T310 was marketed as a temporary trial service that would end after three months. Its continuation well beyond the original timeframe is proof of its popularity and necessity among both students and local residents.
