Puduraya Terminal to begin operations tomorrow (The Star)

By Bavani M

Friday April 15, 2011

THE 35-year-old Puduraya bus terminal will finally open for operations tomorrow after undergoing massive renovations costing RM52.7mil. The opening was delayed several times due to additional work on the base of the building.

UDA Holdings Berhad managing director Datuk Jaafar Abu Hassan said the terminal is 98% ready with the exception of certain areas. He said both north-bound and intra-city buses will begin operations tomorrow.

Well lit: Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Adnan Ikshan (left) and Jaafar taking the walkalator at the main entrance area.

“Bus companies and retail outlets are in the process of collecting their keys and moving from the temporary terminal at Bukit Jalil,’’ he said.

The new Puduraya terminal has three new waiting areas, one on the Mezzanine floor and two more on the first floor. There are two units of walkalators and disabled-friendly facilities.

There are 50 ticketing counters on the first floor. “We have appointed a company to develop an e-ticketing system, and they will work with the bus companies to streamline the system proper,’’ said Jaafar. He added that the e-ticketing system would incorporate the system the bus companies were currently using and that he hoped to resolve the e-ticketing problem as soon as possible.

Spic and span: The new food court.

“Once e-ticketing is enforced, we can resolve the tout problem as people can now buy tickets online and via the e-kiosk. Buses will now have to park at the depot at Jalan Galloway and they will be given a 20-minute waiting time before they can come into Puduraya to pick up passengers,’’ Jaafar said.

“They (buses) will no longer be allowed to park outside the terminal, and situations of them queuing up outside the terminal with their engines running and causing congestion will no longer happen,’’ he said.

He added contractors will be on standby on Saturday to ensure that everything goes according to plan.

Land Public Transport Commis-sions (LPTC) head of State Operations and Terminal Licensing Mohd Fuad Ahmad said there would be extra enforcement by the authorities tomorrow. “We will not tolerate touting and anyone found guilty of touting can be charged in court and fined up to RM50,000 or face a maximum jail term of two years,’’ said Mohd Fuad.

Cooler environment: Puduraya now has three posh waiting areas.

“We will go all out to catch them (touts) as our enforcement personnel will be placed in strategic places to monitor their activities,’’ Mohd Fuad said.

On the upgrading of Puduraya Hotel, which has been renamed Angkasa Express, work is expected to complete by June.

The terminal was closed in April 2010 for upgrading works and was supposed to be re-opened in September last year

Other features
> 1,292 seats in the waiting areas on the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor. The 22 auto-gate system platforms are on the ground floor.

> There is a baby changing room, toilets for the disabled and 80 retail outlets.

> Ticket counters are located at zones A and B on the first floor

> Second floor there is a locker area, lobby, and a surau

> Third floor remains as a public parking area

> Food court is on the fourth floor with 46 stalls and seating for 600 pax

> More than 70 bus operators will be operating at the terminal, sharing 50 ticket counters

Metzelder says: I am very happy with the interior of the terminal which is almost resemble an airport.

However many drivers are complaining about possible traffic jam nightmare once the terminal operational. But I expect those buses will wait at Hang Tuah Terminal before entering Puduraya.

Ticket touts remain major issue as enforcement presence from SPAD is lacking. I shall update after it's open this Saturday.

I am here to stress that I and most men against the implementation of women-only coaches by KTM Komuter since April last year.

Reasons to justify my claims are;
1: Low patronage' of women-only coaches by women during 'Peak Hours'.

That is the fact which we should not denied, if you have even experience it. Take aback my experience at KL Sentral, Mid Valley and Bandar Tasik Selatan before, when the komuter approaches what you expect those women commuters? They just rush to all over doors of coaches (regardless of it is women-only coaches). And they are very smart, leaving their 'precious' coach less crowded for their own comfort, while the 1st and 3rd coach was congested with passengers until jostling and door fail closed.

If that's the case, the purpose of women-only coaches has already been defeated. We men are not looking for 'victims' or to harass women.

2: Human rights and freedom of movement falls apart

Having this women-only coaches will definitely suppress our human rights and freedom of movement. How?

Islamic countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE always practice gender inequality between men and women. They have special lanes/paths separating men and women in most aspects (i.e public transport). Putting this concept back to a multi-racial country sounds ridiculed, What is worrying is that there may be separate queues, shops, cinemas and other public space for men and women in the future.

This may also lead one to think that separating women from men is the way to stop sexual harassment.

This is further concreted by introduction of Rapid Lady Bus in December last year.

Now women-only coaches draw flak from men, have a look what men says:

Female-only coaches draw flak from men (The Star)

Thursday January 27, 2011

Oblivious to his surrounding: A man boarding the women’s coach.

WHILE the move to have women-only coaches on KTM Komuter is welcomed by the fairer sex to save them from jostling with men in packed trains, it drew flak from men.

A reader named Kugan commented the move was against the spirit of gender equality, and it was discrimination against men.

He said if one of the three coaches of the train had been reserved for women, they should not be allowed to enter the other coaches.

“Why didn’t this article report that women are also seen in other coaches where men are allowed? So women can go into the general coaches but men cannot enter the ‘women’s coach’, isn’t this a discrimination against men?

“We are talking about public transportation here, shouldn’t the facilities be shared regardless of gender or type of people?” he asked.

He also questioned if the ruling had really improved KTM’s service, adding that auxiliary policemen stationed at the platforms did not have the legal right to ask men to leave the women’s coach.

Another reader, police officer P. Nalusamy, 55, commented that the ruling was a bane for male commuters travelling on the overcrowded trains.

“I understand that it is a good move to protect women, but since the middle coach is reserved for them, why are they still rushing into the two other coaches? The front and back coaches are jam-packed!” he commented.

He said the move had worsened the train service. “We have to bear with overcrowding, waiting under the hot sun for the trains and now female commuters racing with us to use the two remaining coaches,” he added.

Abdus Fauzi, who studies in Sarawak, said his friends were also not aware of the women-only ruling even though they were regular Komuter users.

“I also find that the signage is not practical enough. I can barely make out from afar what the logo means. If someone is rushing, he is definitely going to step into the wrong compartment.

He pointed out that male passengers were limited to two coaches but women could enter all three coaches. “Sometimes, when they need to rush to their destination, the men will just have to be shameless and ride the women-only coach,” he said.

Metzelder says: The move by KTM Komuter is unpractical at all and is leveling a discrimination towards men. I see that the 'only' reasons women can convince to have this is surveys had shown that women constituted 60% of KTM commuters.

And what futher annoying is KTM are waiting for the authorities’ approval to impose a fine on those violating the ruling. No to women-only coaches unless we get 4 coach train in near future.

Obviously Malaysians seldom read the signage and its not attractive to catch eye of people. While there were regular public service announcements at the stations reminding commuters that the middle coach was reserved for women but only in Bahasa, without taking account of English, the international language.

To conclude, we men are not in favor with the move, and gender discrimination have to be stopped. Or KTM Komuter will risk to lose men commuters support in time.

It has been noted yesterday (June 8) that there was a disruption of KTM services caused by two incidents.

First a cargo train derailed between Kuala Lumpur station and Bank Negara station on Monday, severely disrupting services.

Derailed cargo train disrupts KTM Commuter services (Malay Mail)

Monday, June 7th, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: KTM Commuter services in the city were disrupted this morning when a cargo train on its way to Ipoh from Port Klang, derailed near Bank Negara here.

According to KTM’s acting Corporate Communications manager Mohd Fazli Ismail when contacted, services are expected to resume by 2pm, once clearing works on the track are completed.

The incident was reported at 12.50am and no casualties were reported while investigations to find out the cause of the derailment was underway, he said.

A statement from KTM Bhd said KTM Intercity services and the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur shuttle service would also be affected.

For more information and details, passengers are advised to contact KTM Berhad’s customer service at 1-300-88-5682.

In the second incident, a power shutdown at the Port Klang junction meant that EMU trains could not enter KL Sentral. KTM Komuter responded by cutting back services on the Port Klang-Sentul line at Angkasapuri, and introducing shuttle trains.

At this time, the power shutdown has been resolved, but the rectification works and repairs at the site of the derailment will take a few more days to complete.

Trains run but with delays (NST)

8 June 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Those using the KTM Komuter service should expect a 30-minute delay on all routes this week.

KTM Bhd corporate communications unit issued a statement to say that the disruption in its services, caused by a derailed cargo train near Bank Negara, was expected to last for at least a few more days.

The good news is operations at all stations, resumed yesterday at 3.30pm, including Sentul station, which was closed following Sunday’s midnight incident.

“Komuter services for all routes have resumed but there will be a delay as only one track is used because repair works between Kuala Lumpur and Bank Negara are still in progress.

“The two containers which are still at the site will be removed tonight (yesterday).

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the statement read.

Yesterday, hundreds of commuters were stranded near the Mid Valley station when the train stopped during the morning rush hour. The train is believed to have run into technical problems. Further information was not available at press time.

During Sunday’s midnight incident, a cargo train on its way to Ipoh from Port Klang, derailed near Bank Negara.

Three of the five cargo containers involved in the derailment were removed on Monday night.

“Work on the site has been progressing well. Apart from the track and fallen containers, damaged electric cables will also have to be replaced or repaired,” said the statement.

The follow up for Wednesday on all KTMB services:

Disrupted KTM Services Expected To Resume Soon

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) - KTM Commuter services that were disrupted Monday when a KTMB cargo train derailed near Bank Negara on Sunday, has yet to return to normal.

KTMB in a statement today said the Rawang-Seremban service would be terminated at the Kepong station and passengers would be required to use the Salak Selatan shuttle train service to continue their journey to Seremban.

The Seremban-Rawang service would be terminated at the Salak Selatan station and passengers are required to take the shuttle train to the Kepong Station and resume their journey using the KTM Commuter service to Rawang.

The Port Klang-Sentul service would be terminated at the Angkasapuri station and passengers would be required to board trains to their respective destinations at the station while passengers using the Sentul-Port Klang service would be required to use the shuttle train to Petaling and continue their journey to Port Klang.

Apart from KTM Commuter services, the KTMB statement said KTM Inter-city service, Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur shuttle service, would also face delays due to the incident.

During the Sunday midnight incident, a cargo train on its way to Ipoh from Port Klang, derailed near Bank Negara.

The statement added that all five cargo containers involved in the derailment were removed last night.

"Work on the site has been progressing well. Apart from the track and fallen containers, damaged electric cables will also be required to be replaced or repaired. An announcement will be made once work is completed," said the statement.

For more information, the public are advised to contact KTM Berhad's customer service at 1-300-88-5682.

On Thursday, KTM Komuter service disrupted along two stretches since Monday following the derailment of a goods train was restored at 11am Thursday, according to KTM Berhad.

Metzelder says: I am concerned with KTMB personnel’s response during the incidents. There were no updates on the @ktmkomuter twitter feed upon 15 minutes*, as expected by public. KTM Komuter did post clear and detailed updates later on but they have to get to that standard of 15 minutes.

*The 15 minute standard for twitter updates has become a de facto protocol for communication of information during delays on public transport.

Second, as you can see from the image above, there did not appear to be clear direction from KTMB personnel on the ground so that passengers who exited the train were given clear instructions on where to walk. This may seem like a minor detail, but paying attention to these minor details is what makes for good service.

The Malay Mail has also covered the disruption to KTM Komuter services in their evening edition Wednesday, including complaints and expressions of anger from KTM Komuter passengers.

Hang Tuah Bus Terminal fully operational tomorrow

May 14, 2010 by Meena L. Ramadas

KUALA LUMPUR : The Hang Tuah Bus Terminal here will be fully operational from tomorrow for short distance express bus operations to Seremban and Tanjung Malim during the closure of the Puduraya Bus Terminal for renovations.

Federal Territories and Urban Well-being secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said in a statement the move was made to accommodate the demand for express buses operating for short journeys since the closure of the Puduraya terminal for four months since April 12 for renovation.

Ahmad Phesal said the Hang Tuah Bus Terminal will be fully operational as a stop and waiting area for express buses until the Puduraya Terminal is opened.

"The temporary terminal for express buses at Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex is for long-distance journeys," he said.

Ahmad Phesal said the Hang Tuah Bus Terminal will be used to provide bus services to:

> reduce traffic jams at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock near Central Market which, before this, was the stop for short distance express buses.

> establish the terminal as a systematic terminal for easy and smooth journeys via express buses

> increase the connectivity between various modes of public transport.

The Hang Tuah bus terminal is located next to the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police office near Jalan Galloway and is 2ha in size.


The terminal is equipped with 120 lots for buses to park and around 260 motorcycle parking spaces with a building with facilities such as toilets, canteen and prayer rooms.

There are also stations of various public transport modes nearby such as the Hang Tuah LRT and Monorail, RapidKL feeder buses and taxis in the area.

The Puduraya Terminal is being renovated to provide passengers more comfort. The terminal is expected to re-open in August.

Metzelder says: That announcement does not goes well with me. Firstly the order to move to Jalan Hang Tuah is not well planned and rushed.

Secondly, it creates more inconvience to passenger who normally board their short distance express bus in front of Central Market that is along the Pasar Seni Rapid KL station.

All buses from Seremban will pick up passengers from Hang Tuah bus terminal and pass Central Market in contrast to normal waiting zone (only except Laluan Khas 6:30 by SKS).

For morning, buses will still stop at CM before 9am and after that will pass Jalan Lock Yew to Hg. Tuah bus terminal.

During night, passengers can wait at Pasar Seni station to board buses to Seremban. Buses will slow down when approaching Pasar Seni station, so be alert with small change.

How to get there:
Passengers can take Rapid E22 shuttle with RM 1 fare to Hang Tuah Terminal.

Short-changed by KTMB

NST - Apr 30, 2010

ON the morning of April 22, I went to the Seremban railway station to purchase an inter-city ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kampar for April 26.

I asked the counter officer for economy class, but he said only second-class seats were available.

But when I checked on the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) website at 11.30am, there were 35 economy-class seats still available. So, why did the KTMB staff tell me the tickets had been sold?

The user id on the ticket was 223515AD/22700/2.

SIOW

Seremban

Metzelder says: This is my published letter by NST regarding unpleasant experience with KTMB. And Ministry of Transport answers in reply.

Note: This is a follow-up post from KTMB unpleasure experience on April 29.

KTMB introduced their first women-only coaches for commuter train services of Sentul - Pelabuhan Klang route yesterday.



The special coach is to provide extra comfort and security to women from having "sexual harassment". Named “Ladies Only At All Times”, the coach is located in the middle among the three coaches of every commuter train. The coaches at the front and back are for all sexes.

Window stickers of the 'women-only' coach

Women passengers are encouraged to use the coach but they can choose to use normal coaches (front and back)

KTM said boys under the age of 12 were permitted to ride in the “women-only” coach with their female companions or relatives.


Meanwhile, the special coach for women for Seremban to Rawang route will start from 15 May 2010.

Metzelder says: This is a good move by KTM to honor their loyal commuter passengers as statistics showed that 60% of KTM Komuter passengers were women. However, more important issue is reliability of train schedule and other crime offence inside the coach.

This idea is brought by YB Zulkfili Noordin (Kulim- Bandar Baharu) during the recent Parliment session. Hopefully, more value added service and improvement can be done.

Gender confusion? by Chang Mei Yen

Men in the ‘female only’ KTM coach. I’m guessing that these guys are the ones who are against the move or they are simply ignorant.

Last Thurs, I have unpleasure experience with KTMB regarding purchasing of Intercity ticket. It happened at Seremban commuter station, as usual I requested the economy class ticket to Kampar but the staff told me only second class available.


I bought the second class and when I returned and check their website, you know what?


There were 35 tickets for Economy class still available. Feels dissatisfied, I called their call center and also send official complaint to KTMB President (Dr. Aminuddin) and Customer Service Response.

Coming to this post, I would like to share one of the National Key Result Area and the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that focussed on improving public transportation in short and medium term.

As brief intro, both NKRA and KPI are announced by our man Datuk Seri Najib during the 100th days of becoming Prime Minister, July 11.

The six areas are reducing crime, cutting corruption, providing basic rural infrastructure, improving urban transportation, increasing living standards for the low-income group, and improving education.

Six NKRA and KPI

To improve urban transport, the KPI for that is the public ridership must increase to 25% from the current 10% by 2012.

To do that, specific plans with regard to the KTM Komuter, certain bus routes and the establishment of intercity transport terminals to reduce congestion in the city have been clearly identified (See chart).

Chart of GTP on urban transport

The Government has come out with three key services to be launched across 12 major city corridors heading into the central business area (CBD), namely Bus Expressway Transit (BET) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and extending existing dedicated bus lanes system in the Klang Valley

The BET service will be launched in the first quarter of this year on four under-utilised highways or four corridors in the Klang Valley with commuters enjoying a 55% reduction in travelling time.

Better ride: The Government also plans to upgrade 4,000 bus stops in the Klang Valley as at present, 40% are unsheltered and have no clear signage

Overview of RapidBET implemention

The bus service under the BRT will use priority toll booths to ensure smooth travelling and limited stop stations.


For a start, BET will swing into action tomorrow on two routes from Kota Damansara to KL Sentral and Pasar Seni via the Penchala Link, and from Bandar Sungai Long to Pasar Seni, via the Grand Saga Highway.

The journey from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni is expected to be reduced from the current two hours to just 50 minutes, while travelling time from Bandar Sungai Long and Pasar Seni, currently taking about one-and-a-half hours, to 50 minutes.

The buses under the BET system will run at 15 to 20-minute intervals during the morning and evening peak hours.

The other two routes which have been identified and would be implemented later with BET, are from Subang Mewah to Pasar Seni via the New Pantai Expressway and from Sri Muda to Pasar Seni, via Kesas.

The BRT provides faster services than the ordinary city bus in other cities in North America, Europe and Australia.

For the Klang Valley, the BRT system will be launched across three major corridors heading into the city centre with a total route length of 49km. These corridors will be physically separated from existing lanes with concrete barriers and have dedicated stations for loading and unloading of passengers.

For the five remaining corridors, a dedicated bus lane system would be implemented without the actual physical segregation of lanes, but with lanes marked for flexible traffic management.

For example, the bus lanes will only be used during the morning rush hour or in the evening peak hour with a total proposed route length of 21km

The implementation of the BRT and the dedicated bus lane system will provide an increase of 35,000 to 55,000 passenger load during the peak hour because of the expected reduction of travelling time.

There are currently 13 bus operators within the Klang Valley, with RapidKL holding a lion’s share of the market of 50%, with about 710 buses in operation daily, while an additional 400 new buses are expected to enter service in the next two years.

In order to achieve bus share ridership of 100,000 passengers during peak hour (including BET, BRT and the dedicated bus lanes), we need a better service on existing routes. There is also a need for an additional 850 new buses, of which 400 units have already been purchased by Rapid KL

The Government has also planned to upgrade 4,000 bus stops in the Klang Valley as at present 40% are unsheltered and have no clear signage.

The authorities also plan to remove some 700 express buses out of the city centre when the Bandar Tasik Selatan Integrated Transport Terminal (ITT) hub is completed in November, allowing for less congested traffic environment in the city.

With the completion of the Gombak ITT, also at the end of the year, and at a later stage, the Sungai Buloh ITT, over 2,000 express buses currently choking the city would be moved to the fringes of Kuala Lumpur.

Dedicated lanes: To cut down on travelling time, marked lanes for the BET buses have been set up at the toll plazas along the route

Popular choice: Many passengers tried out the bus on the first day but the frequency prevented overcrowding