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Rapid KL has upgraded shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off arrangements at Sepang International Circuit after fans complained of long queues and poor crowd control on Oct 2. The operator says traffic and passenger movement were smooth as of 11am on Oct 3.
Rapid KL has improved the coordination of its shuttle bus services to the Sepang International Circuit after passengers gave feedback about travel to the venue on Oct 2.
Rapid KL Improves Shuttle Bus Operations
The public transport operator said the shuttle bus services had been carried out as planned, in line with operational arrangements agreed with the organiser. In a statement on Oct 3, Rapid KL said that together with SIC and the relevant agencies it had made improvements to passenger pick-up and drop-off arrangements. It said these improvements were implemented from that day to ensure smoother and more orderly passenger movement.
As of 11am on Oct 3, traffic flow and passenger movement were smooth and under control, according to the operator. Rapid KL said it would continue to monitor the situation with SIC and the relevant agencies to ensure smooth passenger movement and a better Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix experience for everyone.
The statement followed complaints from motor racing fans attending the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit on Friday, Oct 2, about long shuttle bus queues and poor crowd management, local media reported. News outlet Malay Mail cited British content creator Ryan Howlett, who is based in Malaysia, as saying he managed to board a bus at 9pm after waiting for more than three hours, describing the experience as one of the craziest things he had encountered.
Race Fans Report Long Queues
Instagram user pompey1980 was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying that fans who turned up to watch Friday's practice sessions had to wait for a shuttle for hours. The user said they had been to Grand Prix events all over the world and had not experienced chaos like this, adding that it was only Friday and they dreaded Saturday and Sunday.
FMT also quoted Threads user mhd.adli describing crazy scenes at the circuit, claiming that people pushed one another and ran to catch buses as there was little crowd control. The long queues for buses reportedly prompted some people to walk several kilometres out of the area along main roads and motorways, with some posting their experiences on TikTok.
Other social media users also complained of traffic gridlock on Friday morning, as roads towards the circuit were closed to private and ride-hailing cars. Reddit user Nicholsonstreet also lamented the long queues for water and food, a lack of free water refill stations as well as poor signage, FMT reported.
Free Shuttle Bus Services Explained
According to Malay Mail, Rapid KL had said that 95 free shuttle buses would run every 10 to 15 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2, Mitsui Outlet Park and Bandar Baru Enstek between 7am and midnight, although frequencies were subject to traffic conditions. Rapid KL said its shuttle bus operations covered the management and movement of buses and passengers according to the stipulated arrangements.
It added that overall traffic coordination to and from SIC, as well as vehicle flow management at passenger pick-up and drop-off areas, was coordinated with the event organiser and relevant agencies. The operator also assured that it would continue to work closely with all parties to ensure that operational coordination and passenger movement proceed smoothly throughout the event. Rapid KL said it appreciated the patience, cooperation and feedback from passengers in helping it improve the travel experience throughout the event.
More than 200,000 spectators were expected over the event from Oct 2 to 4, and racegoers had been advised to use public transport because of limited parking and expected congestion. Despite the complaints by some race fans, others were happy to be able to experience F1 in Malaysia again.
Malaysians Await National Live Broadcast
Malaysian Robert Poh, 38, drove from Penang with his family on Thursday and checked into a hotel in Kuala Lumpur before watching the action at Sepang the following day, The Star reported. He said that he and his wife had been keeping up with the news about F1 for quite some time. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Friday that Radio Televisyen Malaysia would broadcast the event live.
He said in a social media post that he hoped the live broadcast would give people across the country the opportunity to experience the thrill of a world-class race from the Sepang International Circuit. Sepang previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017 before Malaysia dropped it because of rising hosting costs and licensing fees.
In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the race from Oct 2 to 4 following an agreement between F1, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. The SIC was chosen to host the three-day 2026 Bahrain GP, which ends on Oct 4, making the iconic circuit a temporary venue for the prestigious race.
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straits_times:Shuttle bus coordination to Sepang circuit improved following feedback from Bahrain GP fansThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Sepang International Circuit Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Shuttle Bus Queues Crowd Management Motorsport Fans Rapid KL Shuttle Buses Bahrain Grand Prix Malaysia F1 Fan Complaints Formula 1 2026
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