Integrated transport terminal at Bandar Tasik Selatan

The RM570 million integrated transport terminal at Bandar Tasik Selatan here promises city commuters a comfortable and convenient balik kampung experience when it starts operating on Jan 1, 2011.

Operating just like an airport, terminal operator Maju Terminal Management and Services (Maju TMAS) will not only focus on providing high-technology facilities, but will also create an environmentally friendly surrounding.

Maju TMAS managing director Roslan Mohd Shariff said the new terminal will be "very different" from other bus terminals in the country.

"We might be a newcomer in managing a bus terminal, but we have made this terminal different to benefit not only commuters, but also bus operators," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

"One of the special features is the centralised ticketing system where Maju TMAS will be selling the tickets on behalf of bus operators to put an end to touting activities."

Tickets sold will bear passengers' names, similar to that of boarding passes issued by airlines.

The terminal, which was designed to cater to 40,000 commuters, will be handling 1,100 bus trips from the south and north regions.

Buses arriving at the terminal will wait at a special holding area of 100 bays before being instructed to move to a vacant bay at the arrival area.

Following the go-green effort, the terminal has more than 10,000 species of flora as part of its landscape.

Roslan said the terminal was also designed to receive as much natural light as possible where the building was mostly covered with transparent glass.

In terms of maintenance and security, he said Maju TMAS promised to keep the terminal in its best care.

"We have experience in managing buildings and will not compromise on the standards of security and maintenance.

"I believe a world-class terminal should come with a world-class maintenance and security system. Not only the government will be impressed, but also the rakyat will be proud of the terminal."

The terminal has 500 closed-circuit television cameras, with 200 to 250 police officers on duty.

It also forms part of the government's initiative to move the north- and south-bound long-haul buses to a new location outside the city centre.

Taking about three years to complete, the terminal was constructed by Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd and covers an area of 19.8ha.

The terminal has six floors, 55 bus platforms, 150 taxi bays, 1,000 parking bays (including dedicated bays for women) and 1,800 seats for the public in the fully air-conditioned waiting halls.

Read the full article:
http://www.nst.com.my/articles/10tmnl/Article/