Phoong with the Pink Buses at Sepanggar Port
KOTA KINABALU – Kota Kinabalu City’s long-awaited modern public bus system is set to become a reality with the arrival of three pink buses at the Sepanggar Port.
Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah Phoong Jin Zhe, expressed his excitement that the city will soon enjoy a comfortable, safe, reliable, and modern public transport system.
Phoong, who also serves as the Coordinating Minister for Public Transport in Kota Kinabalu, witnessed the release of the buses from the port alongside officials from the Sabah Commercial *Vehicles* Licensing Board and local operator Jaguh Bayu.
He expressed his gratitude to Transport Minister Anthony Loke for bringing modern bus services to Kota Kinabalu.
Similar services have already been rolled out in other major cities across Malaysia, and Kota Kinabalu is no exception.
Officially named “BAS.MY,” the buses are fondly nicknamed “Pink Buses” by the public.
Earlier this month, in his newly appointed role, Phoong chaired his first joint coordination meeting with the Chairman of the Sabah Commercial *Vehicles* Licensing Board, Vivian Wong, and Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah, to discuss preparations for the Kota Kinabalu Stage Bus *Services* Transformation (SBST) programme.
Today, he led a delegation of officers to the port for a briefing on the implementation details.
Trial Runs and Awareness Campaigns to Begin
Following the briefing, Phoong informed the media that the operator is currently in the process of recruiting staff and training drivers to familiarise them with the new bus systems.
Procurement of additional buses is also underway, while route planning and coordination with relevant agencies are being finalised.
It is estimated that by September or October, several buses will begin trial operations.
These trials are crucial to ensure drivers are familiar with the routes and traffic conditions, while also giving the City Hall time to prepare accordingly.
At the same time, the operator will launch public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the services, including free rides for senior citizens aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities, and students.
Registration counters will be set up to assist with the issuance of the “MyKonsesi” Pink Bus concession cards.
Phoong further explained that the SBST programme will eventually deploy a total of 48 buses in Kota Kinabalu.
Depending on the production schedule of the manufacturers, buses will continue to arrive in stages, with full operations expected after the Chinese New Year in 2026.
A Milestone for Kota Kinabalu’s Public Transport
Together with officials, Phoong boarded one of the new buses to experience its features.
The buses are equipped with air-conditioning, GPS tracking, and CCTV, ensuring both comfort and safety.
An electronic ticketing system will support seven payment methods, including credit and debit cards, IC cards, and concession cards, eliminating the need for cash transactions.
Most importantly, the buses will operate on fixed routes and timetables, significantly improving service efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience — essential criteria for any modern city.
Phoong emphasised that this programme marks a new milestone in the transformation of Kota Kinabalu’s public transport system.
The new bus service will cover major residential and commercial areas, including the city centre, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Luyang, Likas, *Cybercity*, and others, with eight routes and *155* bus stops, centred at the KK Sentral terminal.
One example route will connect KK Sentral – Jalan Gaya – Court Complex – Luyang Plaza – Foh Sang – Damai – Tshung Tsin Secondary School – Likas Sports Complex – Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) – Kota Kinabalu City Centre – back to KK Sentral.
“A Dream Realised After Years of Effort”
“This has been my vision since I first entered politics and became an assemblyman — to fight for a modern bus system for Kota Kinabalu.
Seeing these buses finally arrive today is truly emotional and fulfilling.
It represents the result of many years of effort. My heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Transport Minister Anthony Loke for making the dreams of Kota Kinabalu citizens a reality,” said Phoong.
“Riding this air-conditioned bus reminds me of my student days nearly 20 years ago on the old buses. I hope that with this new service, more students and young people will be encouraged to take the bus, contributing to the growth of our public transport system.”
“Beyond improving quality of life and easing congestion, Kota Kinabalu, as a tourism city, will now be able to provide a more convenient and reliable service to visitors. We know that safe, efficient, and dependable public transport is a fundamental requirement of any modern city,” he added.