Puduraya bus terminal opening postponed to April 16 (Update #2)

• Update: Take note of our most recent post on the reopening of Puduraya here!
• Updated with photos!

TRANSIT has learned that the Puduraya reopening, which was originally scheduled for the end of 2010, then rescheduled for February, then March, will now be delayed to April 16.

Interestingly enough, ASTRO AEC took some interesting photos & video of Puduraya during the walkabout led by Federal Territories Minister Raja Nong Chik.

Our friend @TWK90 happened to capture some of those images when they were shown on ASTRO AEC and posted them here, giving us our first sight of the interior of Puduraya since the middle of last year.

Puduraya bus terminal opening postponed to April 16 (The Star)

KUALA LUMPUR: The scheduled re-opening of the Puduraya bus terminal on March 1 has to be postponed to April 16 as upgrading works at the premises have yet to be completed.

As such, the temporary bus terminal at Bukit Jalil will continue to be operational for the time being, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said Friday.

He said the decision was made following a discussion with UDA Holdings Berhad, which is the developer of the Puduraya Terminal, and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

“Facilities at this terminal have to be further improved. I am not satisfied because the ceiling at some places is very low, while the escalator, lift and others have yet to be tested and commissioned,” he told reporters after visiting the Puduraya Terminal here.

He was accompanied by the ministry’s Deputy Secretary-General (Planning and Development) Datuk Bakaruddin Othman, its Deputy Secretary-General (Urban Wellbeing and Management) Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan and Uda Holdings Berhad managing director Datuk Jaafar Abu Hassan.

Upgrading works at the Puduraya Terminal began in June 2009 at a cost of RM52mil.

Meanwhile, Jaafar said former traders at Puduraya who had moved to Bukit Jalil, would be given priority in the allotment of business stalls at the refurbished Puduraya Terminal.

“For those who did not move to Bukit Jalil, we will compensate them for their losses by exempting them from paying rental between six and seven months,” he said.

On the Integrated Transportation Terminal-Bandar Tasik Selatan (TBS-BTS) which will be opened on March 1, SPAD general manager and head of state operations and terminal licensing, Fuad Ahmad, said SPAD would cooperate with the Road Transport Department to overcome problems of ticket touts.- Bernama

TRANSIT Says:

Sometimes we just want to scream!

Does anyone still wonder why the vast majority of Malaysians have no faith in public transport? Why they drive and will continue to drive? Some may say it is because of the crowding, inconvenient routes, lack of scheduling etc.

Perhaps the real reason is the lack of reliability that permeates the transport industry from top to bottom.

It can be seen by the ‘man-on-the-street’ in the form of delayed buses, inconsistent scheduling, truculent taxi drivers, the use of the ‘pajak’ (pawning) system for taxis and buses.

It can be seen in project management, where there is a lack of competency, accountability and transparency with respect to how a project is managed and delivered.

It can be seen in infrastructure that is overbuilt for the purpose, without achieving basic expectations – like pedestrian space, parking space, toilets, etc.

Of course the spin will be that the project is being delayed in the interests of customer service, so the end product (a better Puduraya) is the best it can possibly be.

And if you actually believe that ….

Ok, to be fair, Puduraya is bright, shiny, and repainted, with air-conditioning, better access to the bus terminal, and nicer waiting areas and cafes.