New management for Sg Nibong express bus terminal

Passengers using the Sungai Nibong express bus terminal here will begin to notice changes to the facility now following the appointment of a new management.

Among the visible changes now are fewer ticketing touts and a new coat of paint for the building.

The changes were attributed to the new management who took over in November last year.

Syarikat Aspirasi Utara Engineering Sdn Bhd, which was awarded the tender, has acted to resolve pressing issues by discussing with the express bus operators, the Penang Municipal Council and the state government.

Its manager Mohd Faisal Abdul Kadi said the priority now was to ensure a smoother flow of traffic.

“Traffic flow is being hampered by motorists and motorcyclists when dropping off passengers during peak hours.

“The terminal’s main entrance is actually the one facing the Pesta Pulau Pinang,” he said.

Mohd Faisal said many passengers do not know where was the main entrance and some were afraid to enter the terminal’s right-side access road due to the parking fees imposed near its entrance.

“Many people prefer to drop or pick up passengers along the terminal’s side entrance without the need to pay for parking fees,” he said.

He said the management was in talks with the state government, who owns the Pesta Pulau Pinang land, to provide some space so as to encourage more people to use the main entrance.

Mohd Faisal said one other aim of the new management was to ensure that every bus company has its own counter.

“There are only six counters operated by registered bus operators. The rest are actually appointed agents who do not own buses,” he said.



He explained that an operator can hire an agent to sell its tickets and the agent, who represents a few operators, uses only one counter.

“In this manner, they only pay expenses for a single counter such as monthly rent. They maximise their profits, but this is against the stipulated contract with us.” Mohd Faisal said adding that he now aims to ensure that there is only one counter per bus company.

MPPP councillor Zulkifli Mohd Noor said the upgrading works cost more than RM300,000 and is expected to be ready by end February.

“We need to build proper waiting and pick-up points for the public,” he said.

Zulkifli also wants the enforcement agencies to prevent bus drivers from picking up passengers in other parts of Penang.

“As express buses operators, they are only allowed to pick up passengers from this terminal and leave the island. This can also reduce the traffic congestion in town as express buses need not journey there,” he said.

The top floor of the terminal will also undergo changes with the setting up of a convenience store, a bakery and an Internet cafe for passengers’ convenience.

New management? I sure hope it's better management and well-manage place! After all, it's our island's main bus terminal, not counting the one in mainland.