#rapid penang

[letusgogeorgetown-blog]

Take the bus in Penang

I often prefer to walk or take public buses when I explore Penang, Georgetown. The bus service is a very different experience to me because I was amazed at how punctual, frequent and efficient they were. The drivers always give me some advices and indicate when to get off unlike drivers in my hometown. 

The map of Georgetown.

The bus system in Penang is called the Rapid Penang buses. Since most of the attractions are accesible via foot. If want to go a little further to, for example the chew jetty or Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill, buses are a good option. I feel the buses’ air-con is so cold and very comfortable.

For you all convenience to know more about the bus number and schedule, please visit this page:  http://www.penang-traveltips.com/rapid-penang-bus-routes.htm for more information.

Further information can go Rapid Penang Website: http://www.rapidpg.com.my/tourist-passport/

Apart from this, visitors can also enjoy another bus service which is called Hop On Hop Off Penang. However, this service required to buy the ticket first.  Please visit site for tickets and pricing, but children under 5 are Free!

Website: http://www.myhoponhopoff.com/pg/index.php?pageid=1 Hours:  9 am – 8 pm Daily Features:   Free wifi, Air Conditioning, Guide Books, Over 50 attractions, Disabled and Stroller Friendly Intervals: 20 – 30 minutes (possibly longer during commute time 5 pm – 7 pm)

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/10/07/woman-stabbed-bus-driver-remanded/

Woman who stabbed bus driver remanded

GEORGE TOWN, OCT 7, 2014:

The woman who allegedly stabbed a Rapid Penang bus driver has been remanded for four days beginning today.

The Magistrate’s Court here granted an order for the woman to be remanded pending police investigations. The remand order was granted by magistrate Dianee Ningrad Norazhar.

The woman, seen clad in a light blue shirt and a pair of dark blue long pants, appeared composed upon leaving the remand court despite claims that she was mentally unstable.

Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mior Faridalatrash Wahid earlier confirmed the 48-year-old woman had been picked up in Jalan Paya Terubong at 7.30am today.

He said police also seized a weapon believed to have been used to stab the driver in the 6.50am incident yesterday.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using a dangerous weapon.

The 27-year-old driver is reported to be in a stable condition at the Penang Hospital where he is being treated following the attack.

The suspect was said to have used a  knife to stab the bus driver’s right thigh, cutting through his main artery.

Earlier, state Umno Youth members, including its chief Rafizal Abd Rahim, visited the victim at 11.30am.

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on 人民邮报

New Post has been published on http://ch.therakyatpost.com/%e9%98%a1%e9%99%8c%e7%ba%b5%e8%b4%af/%e5%8f%8c%e5%9f%8e%e7%ba%aa%e4%ba%8b/2014/10/06/%e6%97%a0%e8%bd%a6%e4%b8%8d%e6%ac%a2%e7%9a%84%e6%ad%bb%e6%92%91/

无车不欢的死撑

从去年到今年，赖着槟城不错的巴士服务上下班，兴奋地收集了一年以来每个月份的巴士卡。快速槟城（Rapid Penang）巴士公司设计卡片者，非常用心，每个月份都有一个主题，从各族的节日、绿色环保、为马航祈祷，到今年粉红十月的乳癌醒觉运动，背后的心思细腻。

申请快速槟城月卡手续非常简单，也没有任何收入底线的限制，学生和老年人只需35令吉，60岁以下的工作人士每月才75令吉。月卡是随你用的，使用次数和目的地不限。因此，计算去年的交通开销，我总共花了900令吉。

住在附近地区的一位同事，每个月的车油钱是300令吉。她去年刚买了一辆Honda JAZZ ，花了大约7万7000令吉，供期9年，总共将付出整百千令吉。

■ 养一辆车耗多少？

那一天，和她坐下来，以最保守的估计计算到底养一辆车需要多少钱。如果以30年计算，而且只是一辆车从年轻驾到老去，汽油如果仍然维持同样的价格，那么，30年的油钱是10万8000令吉。

加上年度保险和路税，大约9万令吉；泊车费3万6000令吉（以每个月100令吉计算），维修费3万令吉。在完全没有通膨的美好想象之下，一个人一生中如果拥有一辆车，需要花36万4000令吉。

■人生若没有养车会怎样？

现实点，在通货膨胀下，养车30年可能需要50万令吉。一生中如果多出50万令吉，可以做很多事情。

拥有自己的汽车，是拥有了自由私人空间和移动的能力。不过，一些刚毕业者月薪不过2千令吉，他们的薪金，其实比新加坡的清洁工人还要低，也纷纷付头期购买车辆。

通过借贷换取车，私人移动空间的自由后面，背负着更多的不自由。每个月收入不敷和未来老年时的储蓄不足，这样追随一生的心理负担值得吗？许多国家的人民，都不需要每人一车。

这畸形现象的背后要怪国家的汽车政策，以及公共交通的不完善。在这样的处境中，家中有老小者很多时候确实需要省出一辆车。

从我过去累计一年每一天都在搭巴士的经验，目前槟岛的巴士服务，如果你的家是在主要巴士路线的5分钟步行距离，那是有选择的。巴士的服务水平已经大大提升，只是支撑它的车站和人行道需要投入更多资源。

■ 人人一车是否理所当然？

省下的50万，懂理财规划的人，可以拿去投资股票基金或不动产，以防老年的不时之需；懂享受的人，可以每个星期看两场电影和吃一次大餐、每个月购买一件新衣新裤和护肤品一件、每年看心情出国旅游一两次、换新手机一部、做健康检查兼牙齿护理、必要时拿个硕士学位或上个专业资格培训课程让自己增值。

懂得大爱的人，可以领养孤儿、捐给老人院、孤儿院、洗肾中心、罕见疾病基金、防止虐待动物协会、教堂神庙、人权组织、另类媒体、中小学母校等等。

在这个无车不欢的社会心理影响下，人人一车被视为理所当然，在百物齐涨收入跟不上步伐的时刻，死撑需要付出多少的代 价。拥有汽车的个人空间和移动的自由，到底是真相还是假相？