Terminal 1 Upgrading Can Boost Socio-Economic Growth In Seremban City Centre

SEREMBAN, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The new-look Seremban Bus Terminal, better known as Terminal 1, has the potential to become a catalyst for the socio-economic growth in the Seremban town centre and contribute towards an improved standard of living for locals.

Local Government Development, Housing and Transport Action Committee chairman J. Arul Kumar said work to upgrade the terminal, which was built in 1995, has reached 80 per cent and should be completed by next March.

“The terminal upgrading work involves painting the whole exterior and interior of the building, including brightening up the multi-storey car park area, which used to be gloomy, with light fixtures.

“With more modern and user-friendly facilities, Terminal 1 will act as the main transportation hub to facilitate the movement of locals and also has the potential to attract tourists, while giving the city centre a new image,” he told Bernama here today.

He said the terminal would be equipped with an air-conditioned waiting hall, properly arranged stalls, cleaner toilets and more efficient bus departures and arrivals.

Arul said a centralised ticketing system (CTS) has also been implemented at Terminal 1, compared to the previous method of purchasing bus tickets only from the ticketing counters.

He said the upgrading work will hopefully give passengers a more comfortable travelling experience.

Meanwhile, Terminal 1 Express Bus traffic coordinator, 60-year-old Kamarul Salim said he is thankful for the upgrading work being carried out and is confident that the effort will provide comfort and convenience to the passengers and traders at the terminal.

Kamarul, who has been working at the terminal since 2015, described the terminal’s infrastructure upgrading work as extremely relevant since many people still use public transportation daily, especially those who commute for work to Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

“This place is packed in the morning, as early as 5 am, and evening. Once this terminal is upgraded, it will offer comfort and a more organised stall arrangement for the public. Weekends too it’s crowded… this terminal is strategic and vital for the public,” he said.

Sixty-five-year-old Rozaini Ahmad, who has been running a food stall at the terminal for over 10 years, said the upgrade was crucial as it could help invigorate business at the terminal.

She was particularly thrilled about the upgrades being carried out for the toilets and multi-storey car park, thus making them more comfortable and safer to be used by traders and the public alike.

“If the toilets and car park building used to look dark and gloomy, even dangerous in terms of safety, they are now much brighter and more manageable. The parking area is well-lit… this is important as traders arrive to start business as early as 4 am and close shop at 9.30 pm,” she said.

-- BERNAMA