This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on April 17, 2019 - April 23, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is bringing in UK convenience store WHSmith into its stations’ retail space, said group chief operating officer of strategy and transformation Ang Yoke Kee.

“The team has worked very hard to bring in some of the names, so you will probably see them pretty soon. We are eager to announce, but we can’t do it right now. The one that we have already signed is [with] WHSmith, the convenience store from the UK, which specialises in the travel segment. We are the first one outside the airport that they have partnered with in Malaysia.

“WHSmith will be in selected stations,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a partnership between Prasarana and Ninja Van, which provides parcel collection locker service, yesterday.

WH Smith Malaysia Sdn Bhd is a 50:50 joint venture between Mynews Holdings Bhd and UK-based WHSmith plc.

Ang said Prasarana is keen to partner any parties to optimise the advertising and retail spaces available at the group’s stations and trains.

“In short, we are open to partnership in the commerce, advertising and retail spaces. We welcome anyone to approach us. We are happy to discuss opportunities. You can have a space in our stations, you can put advertisements in our stations, buses, [or] wrap the train or the buses. You can also name the station after your company,” he said.

With 115 stations and over 151km of rail lines, Ang said Prasarana is in a strong position to work with the partners to enhance mobility and connectivity.

“This is a refreshing new look that we would like to put on the face of Prasarana. We already have AirAsia, Bank Rakyat and KL Gateway. We have done that before, and we will continue to do that for the rest of our stations,” he said.

Earlier yesterday, Ang said the partnership with Ninja Van involves placing 86 parcel lockers at RapidKL light rail transit (LRT) stations from Gombak to Puchong, to build the largest parcel locker network in the Klang Valley.

The lockers aim to provide a convenient and safe alternative for commuters to pick up and drop off their parcels.

Ninja Van Malaysia’s country head Adzim Halim, who was also present at the press conference yesterday, said the company has installed 69 parcel lockers at Prasarana’s LRT stations, and will complete 86 parcel lockers by the third quarter of this year.