THE management of the Puduraya Terminal has been instructed to come up with a plan to minimise the inconvenience to commuters and motorists as well those living and working in the surrounding area when the bus terminal closes for renovation work next month.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin told reporters yesterday during a site inspection that UDA Holdings Berhad had been instructed to ensure that any stress or discomfort to the people were reduced during the period.

“It will take about four months for Puduraya to undergo refurbishing work and there will be some disruption during that period, but please be patient and bear with us as this is just temporary,’’ Nong Chik said.

The minister said agencies like the Comercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the police had been told to beef up enforcement during the renovation period to ensure that buses do not hog the road in front of the terminal.
For the future: Nong Chik (left) and Shytul Shahryn during a site visit at Puduraya.

Nong Chik also visited the bus holding bay in Jalan Hang Tuah which was built for south-bound express buses.

“The buses are supposed to park at the Hang Tuah holding bay and not outside Puduraya anymore. Drivers should make use of the facilities that have been built for their comfort,’’ he added.

The minister was commenting on a recent report in The Star regarding the worsening congestion in the Puduraya area.

While he emphathised with the people, Nong Chik said there must also be a compromise on this matter as the long-term benefits would certainly outweigh the discomforts they were now facing.

Meanwhile, UDA Holdings Berhad senior general manager Shytul Shahryn Mohamad Shaari said he would do everything possible to cut down on the discomfort to the public during the next four months.

It was earlier reported that Puduraya’s congestion is getting from bad to worse despite the presence of the bus holding bay in Jalan Hang Tuah.

The situation was particularly chronic during the Chinese New Year celebrations recently when the road in front of the terminal had been reduced from a two-lane road into a single lane, causing massive congestion with traffic stretching almost a kilometre long.

However, during Nong Chik’s visit yesterday, traffic was back to normal and the number of buses parked outside the terminal was greatly reduced.

This was probably due to the large number of enforcement officers from the DBKL stationed at the site.

By BAVANI M

Photo by P. NATHAN

(The Star)