The Sarawak government will expand its free school bus programme to more schools after a successful pilot at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) Chung Hua No. 6 demonstrated clear improvements in traffic flow and student safety.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said data from the programme’s tracking and monitoring system showed a noticeable drop in the number of private vehicles around the school, helping to ease congestion and reduce risks for students.
“The buses are fitted with real-time tracking and two-way communication technology, which allows parents to monitor the journey and stay in contact with their children. This has greatly increased parents’ confidence in the safety of the service,” he said after launching the Free School Bus and Smart Classroom programme today.
He added that the initiative also benefits families by reducing the need for parents to drive their children to and from school, helping to ease the burden of rising living costs.
Abang Johari said the state government is fully funding the programme, including the purchase of buses and operational expenses, to ensure it remains sustainable and effective.
“This initiative supports our wider goal of promoting safer and more efficient public transport, cutting down reliance on private vehicles, and encouraging more sustainable urban development,” he said.
The programme will be rolled out in phases to other schools across Sarawak, including in both urban and rural areas, with implementation adapted to suit local conditions.
