The Penang government should establish an advisory body consisting of public interest groups and government departments in view of the upcoming public transportation revamp, said Penang-based civil rights group Aliran.

Its treasurer Anil Netto said the proposed body should be allowed to review, obtain public feedback, make recommendations and monitor implementation of the state public transportation system.

"The body can become an effective and decisive coordinating mechanism between the state government, public and transport operators," Anil told malaysiakini.

Hel suggested that the advisory body can help the Penang government shape its own public transportation policies instead of surrendering its control to the federal government.

He said such a body was mooted by Citizens for Public Transport (Cepat) during a meeting with state government officials late last year, which was agreed in principle.

Locals know best

Cepat is local public transport watchdog coalition comprising of 25 local NGOs including Aliran, Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) and Save-Ourselves (SOS).

RapidPenang is a subsidiary of Klang Valley-based RapidKL and would begin operation in August with 150 new buses, plying both main and supporting routes on the island to complement existing bus operators.

Presently, about 200 stage buses and minibusses operate in the state. Bus operators have lamented that they would be unable to compete with RapidKL, which is owned by Prasarana Negara Bhd, an investment arm of the Finance Ministry.

Similarly, PHR president Dr Choong Sim Poey said despite RapidKL's successes in the Klang Valley, it is not guaranteed results in traffic-choked Penang.

"It needs to know more on local demand before running a successful bus venture in Penang," he said.