"Hey, why not we go for public buses? ".....
"What? Are you crazy? Just drive-lah!"
Most of the Penangites will give you that kind of response when you told them that your first choice of transportation is public buses.
"Why so pity? You got no money to get a car?"
The question is, when was the last time you got your public bus experience ya? Try to mention "public transportation" to your friends and you get a "Omg!" response from their face.
Have you tried Rapid Penang? (What? You don't like it? Complaint?)
Well...If we understand the whole operating system of a company, i guess we might be able to see things from another view ya... (I also got complaint and suggestion...LOL)
Oh ya...
Have you joined Rapid Penang's "Sneak Peek" activity on 4 December 2010?
... ... ... ...
Thanks to Rapid Penang Facebook invitation, i was offered a seat to join their "Sneak Peek" activity. (Hey....What so special about this activity? )
It is the chance for us to understand more about Rapid Penang, and their coming plans. The best part is, we just got the chance to know those "important people behind the scene".
Opps, did i mention that was a FREE activity, and we have been treated like a VIP.
... ... ... ...
Is 8.15am! Good Morning Rapid Penang!
"Welcome, here is your goodies bag".... (greeted by a group of energetic team!)
Hooray!
Is time to hop into the bus and start the journey!
Wait a moment...
Can you imagine yourself in a forest-themed bus? Thats Rapid Penang GREEN bus.How about a lounge-like bus with sofa and flat screen TV? You better hop into their Rapid Mobile bus ya!
(p/s: Catch the "Green" bus on your "101" ride...while "Mobile" is going around some of the event venue at Penang ya! Creative way to promote public transport..isn't it?)
Our day trip started from Weld Quay Terminal to Nibong Tebal, where Rapid Penang Academy is located. The 45mins journey was enjoyed with quizzes, chit-chat with Rapid Penang team member! (Nice to meet you two, Jaslinna and Melissa!)
Here we are...at Rapid Penang Academy! (Cool..they even have their own academy to train the team!)
We were happily greeted and welcomed by Mr. Jaslino and Mr. Ramzul. We even served with a light breakfast before the presentation is started. Yummy yummy... just grab a sardine with a "kopi-o" ya!
Do you know that only 18% of Penangites are using Rapid Penang now? if compare to developed countries such as Hong Kong, 80%?
Do you know that.....etc.
A very good introduction is given by Mr. Jaslino. During the Q & A session. We voiced out our concern, we voiced out our care.What a nice two way communication we have.
“What? are we going to try the bus stimulator? Can we drive a bus?” That’s the main questions that keep on voiced out by all the participants,
... ...until Melissa need to stand out and clarify it. What a joke! (Well...You need a proper license first..ok! And we are glad to train you as our bus captain! LOL....)
Next, Mr. Thevadass gave us a very details introduction on rapid Penang buses facility and controls.
Wow.. is like A to Z about the Scania bus... (Even know how to handle emergency in Rapid Penang.. at least i know the button to open the door! Tested...it work! LOL)
Hey, do you know that:
There are two types of buses : China made and Scania, originally from Sweden?
Do you know that all buses are monitored by GPS system?
Do you know that our bus level can be further lower it for the convenience of senior citizen to hop into the buses?
Do you know the security of our buses?
Do you know the procedure when a OKU wanna enter the bus? (You gonna watch it next time!)
Wow.. it is a complete exposure on our lovely Rapid Penang. That’s what we call COOL "Sneak Peek" ya!
... ... ... ...
Next, is time to leave the academy and head back to island, to their HQ office at Lorong Kulit via Komtar.
Thats the ICIS board. An advanced method of showing the schedule of a bus. Do you know that there are three different colours to represent the arrival time of a bus?(Next time don't just sit at Komtar, check it out! LOL)
... ... ... ...
"I want to lodge a complaint!"
"Where is the next bus? Where is the schedule? Why....."
Have you ever call 04-2381313?
Wanna know who are the person-in-charge for ICIS?
That's Lee and his team member ya! What happen when Google Maps meet Rapid Penang bus route? Next time if you are worry for your bus schedule...
Is time to call ICIS at 04-2381313!
Wait a second...
Heard that they are coming out with an iphone application soon...i-planner?
What you need to do next time when you are lost with your bus schedule, just open the apps and check out when and even WHERE is the next bus!!
(*Hey, you people are forcing me to buy an iphone!!)
(p/s: They got cool rapid rescue...to rescue the buses...LOL)
Do you know that three different length of buses (12m, 10m, 8m) can be found on RP? Here is a tip for you to differentiate them. Check out the colour of the seat.
(What? En Alfie even offered me his namecard.. so touch! Next time if i notice any bus is not in good condition... update him ya!)
... ... ...
Is lunch hour!
We were offered a catered lunch!! Feel like a VIP again….enjoyed a nice lunch! BUT not having a nice weather.(who care...anyway!)
No problem...smile...we just have our group photo indoor ya!
Photo by Mr. Ch'ng Oon Tian (obtain from FB)
(Smile… we are the 1st batch of RP customer who joined this Sneak Peek!)
... ... ... ...
Omg... the team even come out a small exhibition (good job!) about "Public Transportation" at Penang. Then only i realized that.. this HQ is actually the old HQ! We are stepping on a piece of historical land.. LOL
Next... is our batik and honey bee tour! Leaving HQ and heading to Penang Botanical Garden direction!! (We enjoyed like the tourists ya..)
"Where are you people from ya?" , we being asked by the batik and bee gallery staff.
"No.. we are local...who join Rapid Penang Sneak Peek!" (blink blink)
(Even i am a Penangite.. and yet this is the 1st time i visited these two places ya..)
Cool...even a bee want to go for Rapid? LOL...
... ... ... ...
Is 4.30pm! That's the end of the day tour!
Well..It is not easy to educate the public! Rapid Team...you are doing a good job ya !! I guess is the impact of the tour, at least when i hop into Rapid bus on my way back, i started to see things from different view ya. I even offered my complimentary 7 days FREE Rapid pass to a tourist on my way back...
Rapid Penang is not an ordinary public transport company ya!
...is a passionate company with concept
...and a group of energetic, friendly team behind ya!
Let's go Rapid!(to be continue.... if i got the chance to go for second time ya! LOL)
p/s: Thanks Clarisse.. for the "Sneak Peek" invitation ya!
"Hey, why not we go for public buses? ".....
Thanks to Rapid Penang Facebook invitation, i was offered a seat to join their "Sneak Peek" activity. (Hey....What so special about this activity? )
Here we are...at Rapid Penang Academy! (Cool..they even have their own academy to train the team!)
Do you know that.....etc.
“What? are we going to try the bus stimulator? Can we drive a bus?” That’s the main questions that keep on voiced out by all the participants,
Do you know that all buses are monitored by GPS system?
Heard that they are coming out with an iphone application soon...i-planner?
Is lunch hour!
Photo by Mr. Ch'ng Oon Tian (obtain from FB) 
