BAS.MY Pink Bus KK: Routes, Fares & Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Kota Kinabalu finally has a proper city bus service. BAS.MY — locally nicknamed the "pink bus" — launched full paid operations on 1 April 2026 with two routes, and the network has expanded quickly since: the operator now lists all eight routes as active, including two that serve Kota Kinabalu International Airport. It's air-conditioned, runs on a fixed timetable, and costs RM30 a month for unlimited rides.
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Which bus do I take?
Pick where you are and where you're going. Answers use the operator's published route lists as at 13 August 2026.
Popular places
No stop by that name. BAS.MY doesn't serve hotels or private addresses — try the nearest landmark, mall or hospital instead.
Journeys are measured in stops, not minutes — how long a stop takes depends on traffic. Route lists as published by the operator on 13 August 2026; check the operator's page if you're travelling on a tight schedule.
What routes does BAS.MY cover in KK?
BAS.MY KK operates 8 routes covering around 140 bus stops across the city and its suburbs. As of August 2026, the operator lists all eight routes (S01–S08) as active, each with its own published operating hours and frequency. Between them they cover the city centre, KKIA airport, Likas, Luyang, Damai, Sembulan, Kepayan, Sepanggar, Menggatal and 1 Borneo. Every route is a loop: S03 and S04 start and finish at Terminal Manggatal, and all six others at KK Sentral. The table below lists the areas each one passes through in between.
| Route | Key Areas Served | Operating Hours | Every |
|---|---|---|---|
| S01 | Likas → Luyang Plaza → Foh Sang → UMS → 1 Borneo → Jalan Lintas | 5:30am – 10:18pm | 18 min |
| S02 | Jalan Lintas → 1 Borneo → Jalan UMS (reverse of S01) | 5:35am – 10:23pm | 18 min |
| S03 | Jalan Tuaran (Lama) → KK Sentral → 1 Borneo → Jalan Sepanggar | 5:40am – 10:32pm | 22 min |
| S04 | Jalan Sepanggar → 1 Borneo → KK Sentral → Jalan Tuaran (Lama) (reverse of S03) | 5:40am – 10:32pm | 22 min |
| S05 | Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal → SICC → Stadium Likas → KPJ → Hospital QE2 → Damai → Lido | 6:00am – 11:00pm | 15 min |
| S06 | Jalan Damai → Sembulan → Jalan Kompleks Sukan | 6:05am – 11:05pm | 15 min |
| S07 ✈ | Sutera Avenue → Aeropod → IPK Sabah → KKIA airport → Kepayan → Lido → Hospital QE1 | 5:45am – 10:45pm | 15 min |
| S08 ✈ | Karamunsing → Sembulan → Muzium → Lido Avenue → KKIA airport → Sutera Harbour → Imago | 5:50am – 10:50pm | 15 min |
The two busiest corridors are duplicated in both directions: S01 and S02 run the same city–UMS–1 Borneo loop in opposite directions, as do S03 and S04 around Manggatal and Sepanggar. If you are heading somewhere on those loops, check which direction gets you there faster — the difference can be twenty minutes or more.
The route summaries above are drawn from the operator's own published stop lists, which run from 20 stops on S08 to 49 on S03 — around 140 distinct stops once the pairs on opposite sides of the same road are counted once. Note that some third-party listings still describe the older route patterns; where they differ, we follow the operator.
The KK network went from three active routes in July 2026 to all eight listed as active in August 2026, and independent trackers have not all caught up. We follow the operator, Jaguh Bayu, which publishes live route status, stop lists and operating hours. If a route is critical to your plans, confirm it there or in the LUGO app before setting out.
Getting to and from the airport
Two routes serve Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and they are not interchangeable. Both S07 and S08 stop at KKIA every 15 minutes, but because every BAS.MY route is a one-way loop, the right one depends entirely on which direction you are travelling.
- Going to the airport: take S07 ✈ from KK Sentral. It reaches KKIA in 8 stops. S08 also gets there, but takes 14.
- Coming from the airport: take S08 ✈. It reaches KK Sentral in 5 stops. S07 covers the same trip in 13, because you would be riding most of the way round its loop.
If your hotel is near the waterfront, S08 is better still — from KKIA it reaches Sutera Harbour in 3 stops and Imago in 4, without changing buses. For Centre Point or the Segama area, ride S08 to KK Sentral and change there.
Operating hours are 5:45am to 10:45pm on S07 and 5:50am to 10:50pm on S08. Those are departure times from the start of each route, so a late-evening flight is the one case where the bus is a gamble — take a Grab or a metered taxi instead. The same goes for heavy luggage: these are city buses, not airport coaches, and there are no dedicated bag racks.
How much does BAS.MY cost?
BAS.MY KK is one of the most affordable public transport options in Malaysia. The headline deal is the Kad 30 Hari — RM30 for 30 days of unlimited travel across every route. That price was cut from RM50 to RM30 nationwide by the Ministry of Transport in November 2025, so older guides (and some signage) may still quote the higher figure.
| User Type | Fare | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kad 30 Hari (unlimited pass) | RM30 / 30 days unlimited | Malaysian citizens only — apply with MyKad or MyTentera at a BAS.MY counter or kiosk, or via the LUGO app |
| Pay per ride (anyone, incl. visitors) | From about RM0.94 for a short trip | Cash, contactless Visa/Mastercard, DuitNow QR or ManjaLink |
| Children under 7 | Free | No card needed |
| Senior citizens (60+) | Free | Kad Konsesi |
| Persons with disabilities (OKU) | Free | Kad Konsesi with valid JKM OKU card |
| School students (7–17) | Free | Kad Konsesi |
| University & college students | Free | Kad Konsesi with valid student card |
A one-time card fee, widely reported as RM10, applies when you collect a Kad Konsesi — the official application page lists the documents you need but does not publish a fee, so confirm at the counter. Travel on the card itself is free.
On per-ride fares, BAS.MY applies the national air-conditioned stage-bus scale — 94 sen for the first 2km, then 9.4 sen per additional kilometre. Note that the fare circular this comes from was written for Peninsular Malaysia, and Sabah licenses its buses through its own authority, so treat the exact figure as indicative and ask the driver or check the fare chart posted inside the bus. Either way, a typical city hop costs well under RM2.
For daily commuters, the Kad 30 Hari works out to RM1.00 per day for unlimited city-wide travel — against RM8–20 for a single Grab trip within KK. If you ride even twice a week it has already paid for itself.
The Kad 30 Hari requires a MyKad or MyTentera, so foreign visitors and non-citizen residents cannot buy it — non-citizens pay the standard per-ride fare. That is not the obstacle it sounds like: per-ride fares start at RM0.94, and you can now simply tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard on boarding, with no card to buy and nothing to register.
Schedule, timetable & operating hours
BAS.MY KK runs on a fixed daily timetable, seven days a week including public holidays. First departures are between 5:30am and 6:05am depending on the route.
Last departures vary by route, and this catches people out. Only S05 and S06 run to about 11pm. S01 finishes at 10:18pm, S02 at 10:23pm, S07 at 10:45pm and S08 at 10:50pm — so if you are relying on a "runs until 11" rule of thumb, you may be standing at a stop long after the last bus has gone. Check the per-route hours in the table above.
Frequency is every 15 minutes on S05–S08, 18 minutes on S01 and S02, and 22 minutes on S03 and S04. Buses depart on schedule regardless of how full they are — a real change from the old KK minibuses that waited until packed. For live schedules and real-time arrivals, use the LUGO app or the operator's route pages.
The times published by the operator are departure times from the start of each route. What isn't published is whether the final bus of the night completes its full loop or heads back to the depot part-way round. Until we can confirm that, treat late-evening travel as the one case where the pink bus is a gamble — catch an earlier one, or take a Grab.
How do you pay for BAS.MY in KK?
You have five ways to pay, and you do not need to buy anything in advance:
- Cash — Ringgit, paid onboard. Ask for your receipt.
- Contactless Visa or Mastercard — tap your ordinary bank card on boarding and again when you get off. Easiest option for visitors.
- DuitNow QR — scan to pay.
- ManjaLink card — the contactless smart card also used on BAS.MY routes in Johor Bahru and Melaka. Top up via the ManjaLink website or the LUGO app. Online top-ups take up to 3 hours to reflect — tap at a self-serve terminal first to sync the balance.
- LUGO app — holds your Kad 30 Hari or Kad Konsesi as a digital pass. Scan the QR code when boarding and again when alighting.
To get the Kad 30 Hari (RM30, Malaysian citizens), bring your MyKad or MyTentera to a BAS.MY counter or kiosk, or apply in the LUGO app under "Pas Transit". Kad Konsesi for seniors, students and OKU works the same way — bring your MyKad, student card or JKM OKU card, with a one-time RM10 card fee. In-app applications are reviewed manually, usually within 24 hours.
- Official BAS.MY website: bas.my
- Operator (Jaguh Bayu): jaguhbayu.com.my
- Manjalink card: manjalink.com.my
- LUGO app (top-up & live bus tracking): iOS · Android
Should you use BAS.MY as a tourist in KK?
BAS.MY became far more useful to visitors in August 2026, when the airport routes opened and the network reached all eight lines. Here's an honest breakdown:
| Use Case | BAS.MY Suitable? | Alternative if Not |
|---|---|---|
| Getting from KKIA airport to city | ✅ Yes — Routes S07 & S08, every 15 min | Airport taxi / Grab if you have heavy luggage |
| City centre to 1 Borneo Hypermall | ✅ Yes — Routes S01 & S02 | Grab (~RM15) |
| Getting to the Jesselton Point terminal at South Jetty for island hopping | ✅ Yes — Route S05 | Walk from the city centre |
| Getting to Likas / Damai / Sembulan | ✅ Yes — Routes S05 & S06 | Grab or minivan |
| Sutera Harbour, Imago or Lido | ✅ Yes — Route S08 | Grab (~RM10) |
| Day trips to Kinabalu Park, islands, etc. | ❌ Not applicable | Long-distance bus or tour |
Grab is still the more flexible option in KK, especially late at night, with luggage, or for anywhere the eight routes don't reach. But the gap has narrowed sharply: a bus ride starting at RM0.94 against RM8–20 for a Grab is not a close contest on price, and the airport link alone changes the calculation for anyone travelling light.
Don't buy anything. Just tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard when you board and again when you get off — no transit card, no app, no registration, and no citizenship requirement. Fares start at RM0.94. The RM30 monthly pass is worth it only if you hold a MyKad and ride regularly; for a week's holiday, tapping your bank card is both cheaper and simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which BAS.MY routes are running right now?
As of August 2026 the operator lists all eight routes (S01 to S08) as active — a jump from just three in July. S01 and S02 run the city–UMS–1 Borneo loop in opposite directions, S03 and S04 cover Manggatal and Sepanggar, S05 runs to Jesselton Point, Likas and Damai, S06 covers Damai and the sports complex, and S07 and S08 both serve KKIA airport. Because the rollout has moved fast, some third-party trackers still show fewer routes — check the operator's own route pages for live status.
How much does the BAS.MY pink bus cost?
The unlimited pass, Kad 30 Hari, costs RM30 for 30 days — reduced from RM50 nationwide in November 2025, so ignore older sources quoting RM50. It requires a MyKad, so it is for Malaysian citizens only. Anyone can instead pay per ride — the national scale starts at about 94 sen for the first 2km — using cash, a contactless Visa or Mastercard, DuitNow QR or a ManjaLink card.
Is BAS.MY free in Kota Kinabalu?
It was free during the trial period from October 2025 to January 2026, and has been paid since April 2026. It remains free for senior citizens (60+), OKU, school students aged 7–17, and university students holding a Kad Konsesi, which carries a one-time RM10 card fee. Children under 7 travel free with no card.
Where does the BAS.MY pink bus stop in KK?
The network covers around 140 designated stops across 8 routes, with KK Sentral Bus Terminal as the main hub — S03 and S04 are the exceptions, looping from Terminal Manggatal. Between them the routes reach KKIA airport, 1 Borneo, UMS, Jesselton Point ferry terminal, Likas, Damai, Luyang, Foh Sang, Sembulan, Lido, Sutera Harbour, Imago, Kepayan, Sepanggar and Manggatal. KK Sentral is the one stop served by all eight routes, which is why almost every journey across the city works with at most one change there.
Can I use a Manjalink card for BAS.MY KK?
Yes, but you no longer need one. ManjaLink is still accepted and can be topped up via its website or the LUGO app (online top-ups take up to 3 hours to sync — tap at a self-serve terminal first). But you can also pay with cash, a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or DuitNow QR, which is usually simpler for visitors and occasional riders.
Does BAS.MY go to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA)?
Yes — two routes now serve the airport. S07 runs KK Sentral → Sutera Avenue → Aeropod → KKIA → Kepayan → Lido → KK Sentral (5:45am–10:45pm), and S08 runs KK Sentral → Karamunsing → Sembulan → Lido Avenue → KKIA → Sutera Harbour → Imago → KK Sentral (5:50am–10:50pm). Both run every 15 minutes. Because the routes are one-way loops, S07 is the quicker way to the airport and S08 the quicker way back — see the airport section above. With heavy luggage or outside those hours, Grab, a metered taxi or the airport shuttle is still the easier option.
How is BAS.MY different from the old KK city buses?
The key differences are: (1) Fixed timetable — BAS.MY departs on schedule regardless of how full the bus is, unlike old minibuses that waited until packed; (2) Air-conditioned throughout; (3) GPS tracking and CCTV on every bus; (4) PWD accessibility features; (5) Multiple payment options including contactless bank cards and DuitNow QR; (6) Federal government-subsidised fares.
What is BAS.MY — the Pink Bus?
BAS.MY is Malaysia's national Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme — a federally-funded initiative to modernise public bus networks in secondary cities across the country. The KK service runs under this programme, operated by Jaguh Bayu Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of HI Mobility Berhad, the parent company of Handal Indah). The buses are wrapped in a distinctive bright pink livery, which is how locals came to call them the "pink bus."
Kota Kinabalu joins the growing BAS.MY network, which already runs in Kangar, Kota Setar, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Ipoh, Kuantan, Seremban, Melaka, and Johor Bahru across Peninsular Malaysia, plus Kuching in Sarawak. Unlike the old minibus operators that ran on informal schedules and waited until the bus was full before moving, BAS.MY operates on a fixed timetable regardless of passenger load — a significant upgrade for KK commuters.
Who launched it and how much did it cost?
The BAS.MY KK programme was announced and championed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, with the Federal Government allocating RM17.6 million per year — a total of RM88 million over five years — to fund the service in Kota Kinabalu.
The pre-launch trial runs began in September 2025, with free rides offered to the public from October 2025 through January 2026. Full paid operations launched on 1 April 2026 with two initial routes. The rollout then accelerated sharply through mid-2026: three routes were running in July, and by August the operator listed all eight as active. The fleet of 48 buses is still being delivered in stages against production schedules.
Local MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu) has been a vocal advocate for the service, calling it a key infrastructure initiative for the city alongside road upgrades and urban planning improvements.
What are the buses like inside?
The BAS.MY fleet in KK consists of brand-new, air-conditioned buses purpose-built for the SBST programme. Each bus is equipped with:
- GPS tracking — real-time bus location monitoring (and eventually, live tracking for passengers)
- CCTV — cameras throughout the bus for passenger safety
- PWD accessibility — designated spaces and boarding facilities for wheelchair users and elderly passengers
- Fixed timetable operation — buses depart on schedule regardless of how full they are (a major departure from old KK buses that waited until packed)
The bright pink exterior livery is consistent across all 48 buses, making them instantly recognisable on the road. When fully deployed, KK will have 48 pink buses running across the city.
What has the public reaction been?
The response has been a tale of two sentiments: optimism about the service itself, and frustration at how few people know it exists.
As of April 2026, Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin publicly called out the low public awareness around BAS.MY, urging residents to take up the service despite its availability since late 2025. Many KK residents simply don't know the pink bus runs, which routes it covers, or that it's free for students and seniors.
Those who have ridden it tend to give positive feedback on the air-conditioning, cleanliness, and punctuality compared to the old informal minibus system. The coverage complaint has largely been answered — the network went from three active routes in July 2026 to all eight in August — so the remaining gripes are mostly about frequency during off-peak hours and how little the service is advertised.
There's a parallel worth noting in Kuching — Sarawak's BAS.MY city, and the only other Borneo network in the programme — where some routes were discontinued in early 2026 due to low ridership, and others had their frequency reduced after 7pm due to empty buses. Now that KK's full eight-route network is running, its long-term success depends less on rollout speed and more on whether awareness catches up before the ridership numbers are judged.
Ringkasan dalam Bahasa Malaysia
BAS.MY (bas pink) ialah perkhidmatan bas bandar di Kota Kinabalu yang dilancarkan secara rasmi pada 1 April 2026. Setakat Ogos 2026, kesemua lapan laluan (S01 hingga S08) disenaraikan sebagai aktif oleh pengendali, termasuk dua laluan ke Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu (KKIA) iaitu S07 dan S08. Jadual bas pink bermula seawal 5:30 pagi, dengan perjalanan terakhir antara 10:18 malam hingga 11:05 malam bergantung pada laluan.
Tambang bas pink ialah RM30 sebulan untuk Kad 30 Hari (tumpangan tanpa had, khusus untuk warganegara Malaysia — harga diturunkan daripada RM50 pada November 2025). Bagi tambang sehala, kadarnya bermula sekitar 94 sen untuk 2 kilometer pertama (sila rujuk carta tambang di dalam bas). Warga emas, pelajar dan OKU boleh menumpang secara percuma dengan Kad Konsesi (yuran kad sekali sahaja, dilaporkan RM10), manakala kanak-kanak bawah 7 tahun percuma. Pembayaran boleh dibuat secara tunai, kad debit/kredit tanpa sentuh, kod QR DuitNow, kad ManjaLink atau melalui aplikasi LUGO.
Last verified: 13 August 2026. The KK network expanded quickly through 2026 and fares changed nationally in November 2025, so treat any older guide with caution — check Jaguh Bayu or bas.my for the latest routes and fares before travelling.
Sources & References 6 sources
Last verified: 13 August 2026
Official & Operator
- Jaguh Bayu — BAS.MY Kota Kinabalu Operator of the KK service — live route status, stop lists and operating hours
- BAS.MY — fares & travel passes (APAD) Official Kad 30 Hari, Kad Konsesi, payment methods and per-km fare rates
- BAS.MY — official APAD route portal National BAS.MY route portal (Kota Kinabalu page pending)
Route & Schedule References
SabahGuide compiles publicly available information in our own words and credits the sources above. We verify before publishing, but always confirm time-sensitive details with the official provider before you rely on them.