The new KK Sentral Terminal located in Kota Kinabalu city centre. — Bernama photo
KOTA KINABALU: The KK Sentral Terminal here, launched Monday, has become a new landmark for Kota Kinabalu in the effort to boost the efficiency of the urban public transportation system.
Overall the members of the public met were happy at the development, but wanted several aspects to be improved including providing travel schedule display screens and a loudspeaker system in the waiting hall.
Assistant engineer, Andrew Goduk, 32, who was going to Menumbuk from KK Sentral for the first time, said that the terminal could boost the image of Kota Kinabalu especially in the light of the high number of tourists who would need public transportations.
“A comprehensive and conducive public transportation is often the yardstick used by the public to determine if a city is progressing. A bus shuttle service should also be provided from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport to the terminal,” he told Bernama, here.
“Travel schedule display screens must be increased to enable the public to be aware of the departure times and destinations of the services,” he said.
The terminal was built on a three-hectare site at a cost of RM54 million to house express buses to Beaufort, Menumbok, Sipitang, Lawas, Limbang and Brunei which prior to this operated from Jalan Tugu. Work started on the terminal in 2011 and completed in 2017.It was one of the four integrated bus terminals planned under the Kota Kinabalu City Public Transportation Master Plan.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shohibul Jaafar, 33, said that numerous other basic facilities were also provided at the air-conditioned terminal such as toilets, cafe and surau.
“The prices of the bus tickets have also been maintained at the same rates. The bus operators should also provide online ticket purchasing facilities,” he said.
Mohd Shohibul, who worked with a utility firm, said KK Sentral could be the take off point for Sabah to spur a more efficient and strategic urban public transportation sector including rail.
For Illa Faizal, 35, consumers must always appreciate the new public transport infrastructure by using the facilities properly without vandalising them.
The petty trader also hoped that consumers looked after the cleanliness of the terminal to optimise public comfort. — Bernama