| Pudu Sentral | |
|---|---|
The exterior of the Puduraya before renovation |
|
| Station statistics | |
| Address | Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Structure | Basement bus terminal |
| Platforms | 23 |
| Other information | |
| Opened | 1976 |
| Owned by | UDA Holdings |
| Website | http://www.uda.com.my/web/guest/puduraya |
The Pudu Sentral (formerly Puduraya Terminal (Malay: Hentian Puduraya)) is the main bus station terminus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was opened in 1976 by the late former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn. Long-distance buses arrive and leave from Pudu Sentral. Pudu Sentral is especially busy during public holiday and festive periods.
As of 2006, Pudu Sentral had undergone a renovation costing about RM3 million (approx. US$ 817,000). Facilities such as a hotel, bank, and food stalls are located in the Pudu Sentral building.
Contents |
On 27 August 2011, the Puduraya bus terminal was renamed as Pudu Sentral in keeping with its modern and new look on par with an airport.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the new name was a suggestion from a follower on his Twitter account.[1]
The current operator of this bus terminal is UDA Holdings.
| Company | Destinations | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Causeway Link | Johor Bahru, Singapore | |
| Durian Burung Express | Penang, Sungai Petani, Alor Setar, North | |
| Edaran Express | Kampar, Tapah, Bidor | 7 |
| Executive Coach | Johor Bahru | |
| Express Maharani | ||
| Express Satria | Kluang | |
| Jelita Express | North, South | |
| Johora | South | |
| Hasry Express | Muar-Batu Pahat | |
| Hosni Express | ||
| Maju | Tanjong Malim, Lumut, Ipoh | |
| Maju Insaf / Mayang Sari | North | |
| Mara Liner | North, South, Kuantan, Bandar Penawar | |
| Nice Express | Johor Bahru-Singapore | |
| Plusliner | Lumut, Ipoh, Penang, Butterworth, Kulim, Johor Bahru, Kuantan | |
| Star Shuttle | Kuala Lumpur International Airport | |
| Transnasional | Ipoh, Tanjong Malim, Sungai Petani, Alor Setar, Kangar, Melaka, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bahru | |
| Utama Ekspres | Kuantan, Pekan, Kemaman, Dungun | 6 |
Note:
On June 15, 2007, a small homemade explosive, concealed in a snack wrapper and left on a concrete bench, was detonated at 9.10 pm (MST) at the Platform 7 entrance of the Puduraya bus station concourse, wounding an 11-year-old girl.[2] The police, who vowed to investigate the motive of the blast and find the culprits of the bombing, ruled out the possibility that the bombing was masterminded and executed by militants, as certain quarters had claimed.[3] No news pertaining the bombings were available thereafter.
Ticket touts at the Puduraya bus terminal are fleecing unsuspecting travellers especially those who turn up at night after the counters are closed and are desperate to travel the next day.
These touts who sell fake tickets conveniently begin their dirty work after most of the ticket counters on the first floor of the bus terminal are closed.
Hundreds of people have probably fallen prey to these cheats but only a handful have attempted to make a police report at the terminal's police beat base – which is, amazingly, located just across the ticket counters. This incident is worsened when festive seasons are around the corner.[4]
Traffic congestion near Puduraya bus terminal will be reduced once the Bandar Tasik Selatan Integrated Transport Terminal (ITT BTS) is opened. The new terminal would cater for buses to Southern Region destinations, taking over from crowded Puduraya.
The BTS integrated terminal would be an expanded version of the RM 570 mil Bandar Tasik Selatan terminal originally built for south bound express buses. Minister in Prime Minister department Nazri Aziz said with the opening of BTS terminal, Puduraya would only cater to city buses and taxis. BTS terminal will be accessible via the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and Besraya highways supported by the RapidKL (Seri Petaling line), Komuter and Express Rail Link.[5]
Meanwhile, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said Puduraya would undergo a facelift to upgrade services as it prepares to become a city terminal. They include a new coat of paint, upgrading pedestrian walks from Plaza Rakyat LRT station to Puduraya, upgrading lifts and toilets and installing new fire prevention equipment.[6]
The 35-year-old Puduraya bus terminal was opened for operations on April 16, 2011 after undergoing massive renovations costing RM52.7mil. The terminal was closed in April 2010 for upgrading works and was supposed to be re-opened in September last year.[7]