KUALA LUMPUR: Forty express bus companies have been selected to operate at the Integrated Transportation Terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, which is expected to open in January next year.
"Only companies that provide a good service standard have been chosen to operate here," said the terminal's project consultant KLIA Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd project manager Mohd Fadzil Abdul Hadi.
"This has to be done to provide high quality service to the public. The terminal, which serves as the main hub for south-bound buses, can't accommodate all operators. There are more than 80 operators for south-bound routes.
"The service levels are judged based on the number of trips and number of routes (to the southern region) covered by the companies as well as drivers' records,"
Among the express bus companies selected are Cepat Express, City Holiday, Causeway Link Express, Delima Express, Eltabina, KKKL, Maharani, Mayang Sari Express and Transnasional.
Streets was recently taken on a site tour by Fadzil and the contractor Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd's project director Nor Mohd Amin Shaharuddin.
"The RM570 million terminal promises a more conducive ambience for passengers waiting for their buses.
"Passengers will be free from harassment from ticket touts. It is one of the main complaints from passengers. With offices for the police, City Hall, Road Transport Department, and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board here, we hope to deter the touts from harassing people," said Fadzil.
The bus terminal looks similar to an airport terminal complete with waiting areas and facilities including a food court, toilets and booths selling goods.
Fadzil said details of the journey would be on the ticket, which the passenger needs to insert into an automated machine at the departure gates before boarding the bus.
"Of course, we expect hiccups in the first year of the system's implementation. We will station our personnel to help users become familiar with the hub and its operations."
The terminal boasts an electronic system developed by Malaysian information and communication technology experts in a joint venture with companies from India.
"The terminal's operations system will oversee the use of CCTVs, passenger information display system and terminal management centre.
"The arrival and departure of buses will be monitored by the system which allows a 10-minute grace period for passengers to alight from the buses, 20 minutes for departure, and one-and-a-half hours for drivers to park the bus at the holding area. This is to avoid congestion at the main building.
"The project is almost completed and undergoing tests. The handover from the contractor to the government will take place next month and operations will commence in January."
He said the government was in the midst of selecting a company to operate the hub including the electronic system.
On concerns over air pollution, Amin said the departure area was equipped with ventilators at each of the 21 bays as well as exhaust fans in the ceiling.
"Extra facilities include a nappy-change room, shower room, surau and locker room, as well as a rest area for drivers at the holding area."
Source: The New Straits Times Malaysia Online.
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