MOT Identifies Three Shopping Malls For KL-Singapore Express Bus Hubs

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has identified three major shopping malls to serve as public transport hubs, particularly for express bus services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Minister Anthony Loke said the initiative, aimed at addressing the issue of express buses stopping at unlicensed locations, seeks to ensure operations are carried out in safer, more orderly and appropriate areas, while also enhancing passenger comfort and reducing congestion in the city centre.

He said that despite years of operation, express buses had been picking up and dropping off passengers at unlicensed locations, such as in front of Berjaya Times Square and the Corus Hotel, two key focal points in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

“Over the past few months, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), together with the Road Transport Department, has taken enforcement action and issued notices to operators to ensure they relocate to safer, licensed areas.

“After considering the views and feedback of the parties involved, we have decided that these express buses must operate in safer and more suitable areas, close to key focal points in Kuala Lumpur city centre,” he told a press conference after a working visit to the Lalaport Transport Hub at Mitsui Shopping Park Lalaport Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) here today. 

Loke said that apart from the Lalaport Transport Hub, which is expected to begin operations in February, the other shopping malls identified are One Utama in Petaling Jaya and IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, with Sunway Pyramid still under evaluation.

He added that Lalaport had the potential to become the first licensed hub, particularly for the KL-Singapore express bus service, while the other three shopping malls would need to upgrade their existing facilities to ensure passenger safety before APAD could issue an operating licence.

“I am very satisfied to see such facilities being provided. Although it is not a large terminal, Lalaport offers comfortable and safe facilities for passengers, and its location is integrated with the LRT and Monorail systems via Hang Tuah Station,” he said.

The Lalaport transport hub features six departure bays and five arrival bays, and is designed to facilitate the movement of public transport users, particularly tourists, with safety, efficiency and comfort as key considerations.

Other key facilities at the hub include an integrated ticketing system, interchange access to LRT and monorail services, as well as a Bus On Demand (BOD) service connecting Lalaport with the Bukit Bintang and Mont Kiara areas.

Loke said his ministry had previously granted KL–Singapore express bus operators a three-month grace period to remain at their current locations in front of Berjaya Times Square and the Corus Hotel without legal action, but they would be required to relocate once the identified hub became fully operational.

“They must comply with regulations and can only operate at licensed locations. This is not about forcing them to operate from the South Integrated Terminal or the Gombak Integrated Terminal, but about safety and compliance with the law,” he said.

On Nov 2 last year, APAD confirmed that the Aeroline express bus service would be suspended for a month from Nov 6 to Dec 5, after the company, owned by Zulco Sdn Bhd, was found to have abused its licence by picking up and dropping off passengers at unauthorised locations.

--BERNAMA