The Johor MB made an impromptu visit to Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal last month.
TRADERS at Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal want the Johor government to get their feedback before deciding on plans to upgrade the facility.
Hajah Jainah Enterprise proprietor Siti Noridah Bahrom said Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi should have met them during his impromptu visit to the terminal.
Instead, she claimed, he only visited the area near the centralised ticketing counters.
“Upgrading the place is good but will it translate into good business for us?” she asked.
Siti Noridah said although the crowds were returning after the Covid-19 pandemic, people had cut down on their spending, including Singaporeans.
Her main concern was increased rental after the upgrading works.
During his visit last month, Onn Hafiz said the terminal required upgrades.
Siti Noridah (left) is sceptical that the proposed plans to upgrade the bus terminal will bring good business to traders.
The Johor Mentri Besar said he received several suggestions to improve the terminal during his visit.
He said the terminal was an important transportation hub with about 18,000 users every day.
Mahanoum Bahulu co-owner Mahnum Abd Rahman wanted enforcement agencies to check on touts at the terminal.
“The centralised ticketing system has not totally wiped them out,” she claimed, adding that the touts were preying on senior citizens and foreign workers.
Mahnum (left) urges authorities to check on touts operating at the terminal.
A Johor Baru-Singapore cross-border taxi driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, urged the authorities to nab private cars offering cross-border transportation service between Johor Baru and Singapore.
“Don’t talk about upgrading the place if you can’t take stern action against them,” he said.
He said the illegal drivers had been at the terminal for many years.
Their presence has affected the livelihood of licensed operators, he said.
