RM100,000 spent to upgrade terminal

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COMMUTERS using the bus services at the intercity terminal in Section 17, Shah Alam now have a proper place to wait for the buses.

Shah Alam mayor Mazalan Md Noor said the city council had spent about RM100,000 to upgrade the bus terminal recently.

“We upgraded the internal road system at the terminal which included interlocking tiles at the bays for the buses.

“Three new bus shelters have also been constructed at the terminal for the convenience of the passengers.

Meant to be a temporary measure: The bus terminal in Section 17.

“They don’t have to wait under the hot sun anymore as the shelters have ample room for them to sit while waiting for the bus,” he said.

The bus terminal provides express bus services to passengers heading to the east coast and northern parts of the country.

Its location near the Federal Highway is convenient for passengers in the city, especially students from the UiTM main campus in Shah Alam as they can take the bus here instead of going all the way to Puduraya or the Klang Bus terminal to do so.

However, when it was built several years ago, it was meant to be a temporary stop for the express buses.

There was however, a rising number of passengers using the service, especially during the festive season and during school holidays.

“The bus terminal in Section 17 was not built properly and is not big enough to cater to the high volume of passengers.

“So it is timely to upgrade the place while waiting for a proper bus terminal in Section U1 to materialise.

“Once the integrated bus terminal in Section U1 is open, then the Sect 17 terminal will serve as a station for local stage buses serving the city area,” said Mazalan.

Work on the integrated bus terminal in Section U1 is expected to begin at the end of the year and would take about two years.

The first phase is estimated to cost about RM20mil.

Under the first phase, costing RM20mil, 45 bays (for the buses) would be provided for bus companies to operate in the complex.

The three-storey complex would also have ticketing counters, retail and food outlets on the first floor.

The car park and drop off points will be located on the second floor.

The second phase will include a pedestrian crossing from the terminal to the Commuter Station situated across the Federal Highway.

The site was chosen as it is located near Stadium Shah Alam and the indoor stadium.

The site is also easily accessible from the Federal Highway and the NKVE.

With the opening of the terminal, the express buses do not have to enter the city centre, thus easing traffic congestion.