The metal link chairs on the second floor of Kluang Bus Terminal are rusty and damaged. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
PASSENGERS and traders at Kluang Bus Terminal in Johor are hoping for upgrades to the facility.
Ticket seller Nas Hassan said the staircase should be replaced with an escalator.
He said the ticketing counters, eateries and other stalls were located on the upper floor making it a challenge for senior citizens to climb up and down the stairs.
“Ticket sellers often deliver bus tickets and collect payment from our customers downstairs to save them the hassle.
“The link chairs on the upper floor are also rusty and damaged so passengers have no place to sit when they come upstairs,” said Nas, who has been working at the bus terminal for about two decades.
He added that many food stalls and other businesses had closed down due to lack of foot traffic on the upper floor.
Nas said a lift was installed at the terminal a few years ago but it was usually barricaded and padlocked.
Passenger RB Pathy said the ground floor often had water puddles, which were a safety hazard.
Siti Hasidah: Upgrade can draw more people to terminal.
“I use the terminal quite often to take trips to Kuala Lumpur with my wife.
“We usually buy our tickets online to save us the hassle of walking up and down the stairs,” said the retiree.
Seamstress Siti Hasidah Misio, who run a business at the terminal, believes an upgrade could draw more people.
Nas: Terminal lift is usually barricaded and padlocked.
“My business has dropped significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic and there are days when I have no customers.
“If the terminal is made more comfortable, and with the addition of businesses and activities, more people will spend time here,” she added.
A resident from Paloh, Ton Moi, also said that more activities should be held at the terminal to make it livelier.
“Besides being a public transport hub, it can be made into a centre for youths since it is located in the heart of Kluang town.
Using the stairs to get to the upper floor to access ticketing counters and food stalls is tough for people with limited mobility.
“Now that there is a free bus service from Paloh to Kluang, more people are expected to visit the terminal,” she said.
Mahkota assemblyman Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, who was sworn into office on Oct 3 after winning the by-election, said he was aware of the condition of the bus terminal located at Kampung Masjid Lama.
“I will be meeting with Kluang Municipal Council (MPK) officers and will highlight the matter as well as other issues such as floods,” he added.
