Kuching– a focal point for travelers

IT’S a mini KL Central of sorts. Once in operation, in about 24 months from now, the RM60 million project would be the first of its kind not only in Kuching but the whole of Sarawak.

It would be tranformed into a single, consolidated transportation hub that would immensely improve conveyance service for thousands of commuters in and around Kuching daily.

With its implementation, traffic congestions would be alleviated while passenger safety enhanced, jobs created and economic growth stimulated.

Such a user-friendly facility is no pipe dream but a vision of the State government that is steadily taking shape.

Aptly named Kuching Sentral, it would be the only fully-integrated regional transportation terminal in the State capital and, for that matter, Sarawak.

Strategically located at the Mile 61/2 junction of Penrissen Road and Airport Road, this new public transport artery, for which earthwork started last December, is only about three minutes’ drive from Kuching International Airport and 20 minutes from Kuching City.

Because it is located away from the city, traffic gridlocks can be avoided. Indeed, it is a timely initiative to significantly improve traffic flow in and around the city. Roads in the area are being widened into dual-carriageways complete with traffic lights.

A transportation hub or transport interchange is where traffic is exchanged across several modes which may include railway, tramway, metro or rapid transit, bus, coach, automobile, truck, airplane, spacecraft, ship, ferry, pedestrian, or any other kind of transport.

The term is used both for passenger and freight transfers. Some hubs also allow transport to be exchanged between the same kind of transport modes.

The completion of Kuching Sentral two years from now will, therefore, provide a focal point for travellers, integrating different modes of transportation such as stage buses, taxis, hired vans as well as sea and river crafts.

Daily express buses to and from regional centres like Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri as well those from Pontianak, Indonesia and Sungai Tujuh, Brunei, will be operating from the terminal.

Right from the point of arrival, it will be convenient for commuters with city buses providing a seamless link to any destination within Kuching city and regional buses linking them to major destinations throughout Sarawak. Alternatively, commuters can choose other transport options like taxis and hired vans.

Built with 11 bays for car rentals, 42 for regional buses, and an additional 67 for city buses, Kuching Sentral will be big enough to support a high passenger traffic at any given time, at the same time, serving as a regional transportation hub capable of not only accommodating high traffic volume but also meeting the needs of shoppers with a modern complex free from parking problems.

Like most transportation hubs in major cities of the world, the design of Kuching Sentral incorporates a shopping centre that promises modernity, convenience and comfort not only to travellers but also shoppers.

Poised to be a retail and transportation hub in the State capital, this seven-acre three-storey bus terminal cum shopping complex will set a new standard in the way people travel and shop.

Cafes and restaurants will be provided, and additional facilities like luggage storage, premium rest rooms, Wi Fi, ATM machines and prayer rooms, among others, have been planned to ensure a comfortable transit.

Commuters alighting at this facility will also be greeted with a pleasant and welcoming ambiance — a 25,000 sq ft supermarket, and a 21,000 sq ft departmental store together with restaurants, fashion boutiques, beauty and healthcare centres, gift shops, pharmacies and many more.

A total of 152 retail units, and over 30 specialty kiosks will be available … in addition to more than 380 open and basement parking bays equipped with CCTVs and guarded at strategic zones.

The fully integrated transport terminal is part of the State government’s vision and effort to improve bus services in the city. With an estimated capacity of 12,000 daily passengers, it represents a giant leap forward vis-à-vis the betterment of public transport in the city.

Setting a new milestone in the State’s public transport system, Kuching Sentral bears the signature foreign architectural influence. The new interchange will replace the existing bus station and play an important part in the regeneration of the town centre.

Spearheading the development is Permodalan Amanah Saham Sarawak (Assar) Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated to enhance the performance of the State’s unit trust fund, Assar.

The model of the Assar-owned Kuching Sentral was unveiled by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Jan 31.

Among those present at the ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Housing Minister Dato Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Land Development Minister Dato Sri Dr James Masing, Assistant Minister of Environment Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen and Assar chairman Tan Sri Bujang Nor.

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=31311

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First and foremost, apologies for the appalling use of quotes.

Second, it's about time Kuching has one of these. If, with RM60million, we can build this, imagine what, with RM700million can be achieved instead of an international airport in Mukah?

Third...did anyone else notice the 'railway, tramway, metro or rapid transit, bus, coach, automobile, truck, airplane, spacecraft, ship, ferry, pedestrian, or any other kind of transport' part? If I read this correctly, will this, in the future, incorporate a spaceport?

Okay, enough joking around, but will this facility incorporate railway-based transport? If this is the case, again, Kuching will once again see the return of the railway after a 60 year hiatus! But the mention of 'river crafts and ferries' make me wonder.

Yet most importantly, they must improve the traffic flow in and around the area. A dual-carriageway is one thing, a smooth flow is wholly another. Last I drove on that stretch, and this was just 2 months ago, that road is sheer hell.

KL Sentral may be the model, but it is also a model of inconvenience. While the rail-based transport is seamless, road-based transport is hell. You need to spend 20 or so mins to travel from KLCC/Jalan Ampang to the Le Meridien/KL Sentral, despite the sheer proximity. The roads in Brickfields are chaotic thanks to the 'transport hub' and the roads in KL Sentral itself are troublesome.

A dual-carriageway can only achieve so much. Rush hour jam along the Kuching-Serian Expressway and Penrissen Road is bad enough without an integrated transport hub. With it, we need to fix the traffic flow, with more routes and expand the network and not rely on Airport and Penrissen Roads soley to alleviate the problem. KL Sentral relies on 2 main arteries and these 2 arteries are frequently severely blocked.

p.s. apologies for the long-winded approach.

Any signs of this project being developed?

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they have already cleared the land for kch sentral... no more jungle in that area... it looks small from the outside though but not really sure coz that area looks hilly to me... but there is an army camp at that area as well... not sure wheter they move that camp or built the sentral next to it...

Sale of the strata title units in the shopping complex have been very good I heard. So the developer should have no reason not to deliver and complete the project.

i think they are goin to start really soon..the road lead to the airport really nice..cant wait for the terminal to complete and everything will just be great.

Hey! Have you check the selling price or rental. The price is super high. Rental also very high. How high? Higher than Spring and Boulevard. Wow!!!!

I think ppl are willing to invest as Kuching sentral will be as the name says, "central" transportation area where there will be alot of human "transaction" going on.

If its going to be as dead as Kuching Int Airport. Then heh u know la.

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where u got the info from? but i think the sentral will be pack eneough as u can see now there is alot of bus, taxi and van sapu throughout the city and connecting the city to the town.

Quote: really? when is the "dead" time? i'm thinking snap some good picture when not so many people around.