Public transportation and Diversion of buses in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Bersih rally)

Read update for Saturday, Kuala Lumpur is deserted

If you are in Kuala Lumpur and have a need to go downtown tomorrow, the information below on road closure and public transportation diversion may be helpful. The Bersih 2.0 rally is supposed to take place tomorrow though the stadium venue has yet to be determined. I'm staying at home. Don't want to add to the traffic congestion nor want to be caught in one.

Folks in Penang are luckier. They have the chance to watch this awesome dance performance of the 12 Monkeys and more.


News on Bus diversion in KL from The Star:

KUALA LUMPUR: Puduraya, Hentian Putra and Hentian Pekeliling bus terminals will be temporarily closed from 12.01am to 10pm on Saturday as police close off major roads into the city centre.

Buses heading for Hentian Putra would be diverted to the Integrated Transport Terminal-Bandar Tasik Selatan (ITT-BTS) and those headed to Puduraya and Pekeliling would be diverted to Hentian Duta.

As to the last light rail transit and KL monorail stops that city bus and taxi passengers would be allowed to disembark at, please see image below.

Click on image to enlarge

Motorists using major roads in Kuala Lumpur may want to refer to the alerts on bus route diversions through DBKL's electronic signboards.


Source: The Star..Buses to be diverted away from KL

Puduraya Bus Terminal reopens today, April 16

What a shame, it is raining so early in the morning. The sun should shine today in celebration as not only it's the day where Sarawak decides, it's also the day that after several postponed reopenings, the last being in September of last year, the 35-year-old Puduraya Bus Terminal finally opens for operation today. For a terminal that has undergone massive renovations costing RM52.7mil, I certainly would like to visit the place to check it out. Will you?

According to The Star, the new Puduraya terminal has three new waiting areas, one on the Mezzanine floor and two more on the first floor. There are two units of walkalators and disabled-friendly facilities.

There are 50 ticketing counters on the first floor. A company has been appointed to work withthe bus companies on the e-ticketing system. Once e-ticketing is enforced, the tout problem can be resolved as people can now buy tickets online and via the e-kiosk.

The practice of buses waiting alongside Jalan Pudu to pick up passengers will be discontinued. Buses will now have to park at the depot at Jalan Galloway, Off Jalan Pudu, and they will be given a 20-minute waiting time before they can come into Puduraya to pick up passengers. We will experience cleaner air now outside the terminal as buses queuing up outside the terminal with their engines running and causing congestion will no longer happen.

You might want to note that Puduraya is only for intracity buses and long-distance buses going north and Seremban. If you are going south beyond Seremban, Bandar Tasik Selatan station is the station to go to.

Work on the Puduraya Hotel is expected to complete by June. The hotel has been renamed to Angkasa Express.

Map of Puduraya Bus Terminal

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Map of Bandar Tasik Selatan

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As someone from Kuala Lumpur, I would like to say, Welcome to Kuala Lumpur and Welcome to the new Puduraya Bus Terminal!


Image source, third picture: The Star


Related article:
Puduraya bus terminal to close for 4 months from March 19
Temporary terminal in Bukit Jalil closed

Puduraya bus terminal to reopen on April 16

Having not been to the Puduraya bus terminal or its vicinity ever since it was closed for upgrading last April, I was naturally excited by its progress driving by it the other day. The area is also quite devoid of traffic jams right now as you can see in the picture below.

Let's take a closer look.. New paintwork, of course. See the covered pedestrian walkway/waiting area in front of the terminal by the road? Commuters would appreciate this - great for rain or shine. The place is not quite ready yet, note the boarding.

Front-view.. Completely new look..

Familiar entry ramp. If you are driving, this is the only way in. This is one-way. Exit is through another way, at the back of the complex.

Good news for you if Puduraya is your hub for public transportation for going outstation, e.g., for going back to your hometown. The authorities have now set April 16 for the new date for the opening of the RM52mil terminal.

We will see a host of facilities that will improve the level of transportation services. There are two escalators heading to the basement where buses are parked and one travellator from a new main entrance to the ground floor.

Before, the waiting area was hot and uncomfortable for travellers waiting to get on or for people waiting for friends and family to arrive. The place used to be dusty and filled with carbon fumes. In the new terminal, heat from the bus engines and smoke will no longer affect the passengers at the ground floor with the new air-conditioned waiting area.

Other new features include ticket counters on the first floor, a surau (prayer area) on the second floor and a food court on the fourth floor.

All the 198 previous tenants including bus operators, food outlets, retail outlets, convenience stores and baggage storage will return to Puduraya. There will be 51 ticket counters for 72 bus companies.

Travellers to note:
- Puduraya terminal will only be for northbound routes
- Bandar Tasik Selatan terminal will be for southbound routes beginning March l, 2011

Information on and Map of Bandar Tasik Selatan


Related articles:
"Puduraya terminal" temporarily relocated to Bukit Jalil Parking Lot F
Puduraya bus terminal to close for 4 months from March 19
Kuala Lumpur Public Transportation
Opening of Puduraya bus terminal rescheduled to April 16, The Star