Puduraya Bus Terminal Opening Delay

Published: 08/25/2010 by Noel Achariam

KUALA LUMPUR: The delay of the upgrading works at the Puduraya bus terminal was caused by defects in the structure of the building.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said certain defects, which were found at the base structure of the building had to be rectified before the terminal could be operational again.

"Upgrading works at the bus terminal will be completed by the end of the year and Puduraya will be operational by January," he said after presenting RM300 each to 400 families of the Rahmat centre for the poor and needy for Hari Raya at the Bandar Tasik Selatan Commercial and Community centre.

Travellers hoping to enjoy the comforts of the newly-refurbished Puduraya bus terminal this Hari Raya Aidilfitri were in for a disappointment as work on the 33-year-old terminal was nowhere near completion.

A visit to the terminal, shut down since April 12 for renovation work costing RM52 million, showed steel structures, sand piles and machinery lying about, indicating the vast amount of work left to be done to transform the terminal into a modern transport hub.

Uda Holdings Bhd, which manages Puduraya, had targeted to have the terminal up and running by Hari Raya.

Raja Nong Chik said once Puduraya is open, the operations for north and south-bound traffic will gradually be moved to Bandar Tasik Selatan and Gombak bus terminals.

"Once both the terminals are completed, Puduraya will be an inter-city hub, which will service passengers from around the Klang Valley," he said.