This is a list of bus routes in Penang, Malaysia. The primary operator of public bus services in the state is Rapid Penang, a subsidiary of the federal government-owned Prasarana Malaysia.
In addition to standard stage buses, the state features the Penang Hop-On Hop-Off service, a double-decker open-top sightseeing bus catered primarily to tourists in George Town and the coastal areas. As of 2025, Rapid Penang operates approximately 46 active routes covering the George Town Conurbation, including cross-strait and interstate routes into Kedah and Perak.
Public bus services have operated on Penang Island since the 1950s. Historically, services were provided by five main entities: the Penang Island City Council (MPPP) Bus, and private companies such as Lim Seng Seng (known as the "Green Bus"), Hin Company (the "Blue Bus"), Yellow Bus and Sri Negara.
The MPPP Bus operated 14 routes, mostly serving non-profitable areas as a public service. Private operators divided the island's territory:
By the early 1990s, rising car ownership and the opening of the Penang Bridge led to a decline in bus ridership. In 1993, the federal government instructed the City Council to divest its bus operations, which were taken over by Transit Link. A period of fierce competition ensued, particularly after the introduction of mini-buses in 1996, many of which were second-hand units from Kuala Lumpur.
In 2007, the federal government intervened to restructure the failing network, establishing Rapid Penang. This led to the eventual cessation of most private stage bus operators. Rapid Penang later expanded its services into Sungai Petani (Kedah) and Parit Buntar (Perak) in 2015.
To improve connectivity, the Penang State Government launched the Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) free bus scheme in 2008 within the George Town World Heritage Site. This was expanded in 2018 to other areas, though many suburban CAT routes were discontinued in 2021 due to funding and ridership issues, leaving only the George Town route and the Cross-Strait "CAT Bridge" services active.
Rapid Penang fares are distance-based. Concession fares (50% discount) are available for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (OKU), provided they are Malaysian citizens.
In September 2019, Rapid Penang introduced the Pas Mutiara (Pearl Pass). For a monthly fee of RM50, commuters enjoy unlimited travel on all Rapid Penang bus services and the Penang Ferry Service.
The following tables list the active bus routes operated by Rapid Penang as of 2025.
The hub for Penang Island is Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld), connecting the ferry terminal with the island's extensive bus network.
The main hub for the mainland is Penang Sentral in Butterworth, which integrates bus, ferry, and train services.
These routes utilize the Penang Bridge to connect the Island and the Mainland.
While Rapid Penang is the primary public transport provider, several private operators continue to run specific stage bus routes with financial support from the Ministry of Transport's Interim Stage Bus Support Fund (ISBSF). These services primarily function as interstate connectors, linking key hubs in Seberang Perai (such as Penang Sentral and Bukit Mertajam) with towns in southern Kedah (such as Kulim and Sungai Petani).
Rapid Penang has introduced Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) van services in selected zones under the "Kummute" brand.
The following routes were previously operated by Rapid Penang or other local operators but have since been discontinued or merged. This includes the extensive suburban CAT feeder network which ceased in 2021.