Kuching Sentral a new hub for public transport

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PROJECT INSPECTION: Syed Hamid (centre) touring Kuching Sentral with Ghazali (right) and Hasbi Habibollah (left), chairman of the state Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB). — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa

KUCHING: The RM100-million Regional Bus Terminal known as Kuching Sentral located at Mile 6, Jalan Penrissen will provide a new dimension for public transport services in the state, said the chairman of Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

He added that with the completion of the complex, Kuching has moved upward in providing an integrated public transport as well as a business hub.

“This new complex will provide a new dimension in providing services to members of the public especially for bus services and business opportunities. It should be well patronised,” Syed Hamid told the media after making a working visit to Kuching Sentral here yesterday.

He was also optimistic that the request by the developer of the project, Permodalan Assar Sdn Bhd (PASB), for an additional sum of RM17.9 million would be approved by the federal government.

“They have mentioned (the request) to us. SPAD is not fully integrated into Sarawak and Sabah. Though I can’t commit, I am sure they have access (to the federal government),” he said.

Syed Hamid also disclosed that SPAD had not fully spread its network to both Sarawak and Sabah, thus needing more time for it to build its base here so as to provide better facilities for the public.

PASB general manager Ghazali Ismail said the new bus terminal would fully be operational in March while other business outlets in the complex would start their operations soon.

Though the project was slightly delayed, he was happy that the contractor was committed to finishing it.

The complex is owned by Kuching Sentral Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of PASB, a state government-link company.

Strategically located two minutes away from Kuching International Airport, Kuching Sentral will form a new hub for the transportation industry and will cater for regional express buses travelling on daily routes to Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Pontinak, Brunei and Sabah.

It will be able to accommodate about 12,000 passengers when fully operational.

It is an integrated complex with retail stores, hypermarkets, food court, kiosks, restaurants and international fast food outlets.

Public facilities comprise bus bays, car and motorcycles parks, taxi stands, commercial van bays, luggage facilities services, surau, ticketing counters and an air-conditioned waiting area.

Other facilities include Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and closed circuit television (CCTV) and LCD panels to display the arrivals and departures of buses.

Kuching Sentral will be a modern air-conditioned bus terminal with peoples’ comfort in mind.