Recently, Rapid Bus has come up with a new card which is called the “ Kad Rabbit”. When you enter the bus, you will have to “ bit” once when you enter and again when  you go out. Even though this system is meant to make things easier for the consumers, there are some issues that the Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad should look into.

This card can be used for all buses, trains, parking, fast food, dining, movie etc. But this card is NOT applicable for use at toll gates. Now, if we are talking about inter-operability and standardizing technology and mechanisms for easier operation, the card should also be able to be used at toll gates as well. Why do consumers need to buy a different Touch 'n Go card for toll gates? The One Malaysia Card should be One Use for All.

Another issue with this card is that, buses will not accept exact change any more. So if you don’t have this card, you will not be able to board the bus. Is this fair for the consumers who are not well informed? If at all the management is trying to make things easier, there should be more promotion and awareness done about this ‘Kad Rabbit’ in the media, etc, to alert the consumers.

What if there is a incident where a senior citizen or a disable person were to board the bus but does not have the ‘Kad Rabbit’? Or let’s say the consumer is only boarding the bus once just for the day? Why must they be forced to buy the card at a minimum price of RM5 even though they will be boarding only once?

Lets say your two-way travel is RM4.00 and if your card has only RM4.30, you will not be able to use the card as you will need to have a minimum of RM5.00 to travel. Some of the fast food, dining and movies places do not even know this card existed. So, how can the consumers use it when these outlets are not prepared with the system yet?

Rapid bus drivers should be also more prudent towards handling the consumers who are not aware about the card and explain to them, not by shouting or being nasty. Or give an alternative to consumers so that they can choose whether they want to use cash with exact change or they want to use the card. Some of the drivers get very annoyed with the customers and do not let them board the bus.

Any system that is to be implemented for the benefit of the consumers should be done parallel with awareness as well. No point of having a system where the consumers are not aware or are well-informed and then cause unnecessary problems. The ‘Kad Rabbit’ should be usable at toll gates as well to make it easier for the consumers.

The writer is with the Malaysian Association of Standards Users.