🚍 RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare: Making Travel Affordable for All in Sarawak

Travel is a necessity for many, but it often comes at a cost—fuel, maintenance, parking, or even public transport fares. For daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike, the financial burden can quickly add up.

To ease this strain, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Subsidy Programme on May 4, 2020. Designed to support the B40 and M40 communities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, the initiative aimed to make public transport more affordable, revitalise bus services, and encourage people to shift from private cars to buses.

✨ Affordable Travel for Everyone

Started with 12 bus companies and 23 routes in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri.

Expanded by 2022 to 56 routes covering Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu, and Miri.

By September 2023, over 10.5 million passenger journeys were recorded, with ridership growing 75% since 2021.

💰 Impact on the Community

First-year subsidy: RM5.23 million (2020)

📌2021: RM12.12 million
📌2022: RM21.23 million
📌2023: RM20.6 million (as of September)

Total spent to date: RM59.3 million

🚏 Public Transport as a Right, Not a Privilege
The RM1 fare has transformed daily commuting, making it accessible for students, workers, and the elderly alike. It’s more than a subsidy—it’s a step toward inclusive mobility, helping Sarawakians travel for work, education, healthcare, or leisure without financial stress.

✅ Looking Ahead

👉Ridership continues to grow, with 131 buses in operation as of May 2024.

👉Plans include improving bus frequency, punctuality, and even dedicated bus lanes in the future.

The RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Programme is a clear example of proactive governance, turning daily travel into a simple, affordable service for all.

💬 Have you used the RM1 bus service? Share your experience below!