Kuching Sentral.

This news was posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 .
 KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday unveiled Kuching Sentral (Kuching Integrated Regional Bus Terminal), the city’s latest landmark.Earthworks on the fully integrated three-storey regional bus terminal commenced in December last year. The RM55 million project, located on a seven-acre site, at Mile 6 1/2 Penrissen Road, is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. It will be only two minutes from the Kuching International Airport (KIA) and 10 minutes from Kuching City centre.

My experience is 5 or 10 minutes from Kuching Airport & at least 25 to 30 minutes from Kuching City..Our Sarawak Chief Minister say two mins from airport & 10 mins from Kuching City because he can skip the traffic congested due escorted by Police motorcycle & police mobile.......

Kuching Sentral latest picture snap 21 January,2012 by Awang.

 This news was Posted on January 12, 2012, Thursday.
The opening of Kuching Sentral, a bus terminal located at 6th mile, Jalan Penrissen, a short distance from Kuching Airport and the old Sarawak Government Railway Corridor. The terminal was supposed to open in December 2010 but the projected open date is now March 2012.

Kuching Sentral entrance.

 The RM100-million Regional Bus Terminal known as Kuching Sentral located at Mile 6, Jalan Penrissen will provide a new dimension for public transport services in the state and expected fully operation on March 2012.Though the project was slightly delayed, the contractor was committed to finishing it.

Strategically located five minutes drive from Kuching International Airport, Kuching Sentral will form a new hub for the transportation industry and will cater for regional express buses travelling on daily routes to Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Pontinak, Brunei and Sabah.t will be able to accommodate about 12,000 passengers when fully operational.

 It is an integrated complex with retail stores, hypermarkets, food court, kiosks, restaurants and international fast food outlets.Public facilities comprise bus bays, car and motorcycles parks, taxi stands, commercial van bays, luggage facilities services, surau, ticketing counters and an air-conditioned waiting area.

 Kuching Sentral will be a modern air-conditioned bus terminal with peoples’ comfort in mind but nothing is free in this world so kindly pay your parking ticket here..Thank You.

RapitKL Rabbit Card.

RECENTLY, RapidKL came up with a new card called Kad Rabbit. When you enter the bus, you have to touch the card on a screen once, and again when you alight.During my recent trip to KL I  enter this  RapidKL bus service from KLCC to Bukit Bintang. The driver (women driver)  ask me to purchase a 'Kad Rabbit' from the machine near to her driving seat.

 Please slot in Rm5.00 to this machine and the rabbit card is yours..
Why must I be forced to buy the card at a minimum price of RM5 even though I will be using this bus only once? The bus driver gave me two options either a card for MYR5 with MYR3 value or MYR10 with MYR8 value. Basically its MYR2 for the card.

RECENTLY, RapidKL came up with a new card called Kad Rabbit. When you enter the bus, you have to touch the card on a screen once, and again when you alight. Even though this system is meant to make things easier for passengers, there are some issues that Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd should look into.This card is supposed to be used on all buses, trains, at parking lots, fast-food outlets, dining establishments and even movie outlets. But it can't be used at toll gates.



If we are talking about interoperability and standardising the technology and mechanism for easier operation, the card should be usable at toll gates as well.
Why do commuters have to buy a different Touch 'n Go card for the toll gates?
Another issue is that buses will not accept exact change any more. So, if you don't have this card, you will not be able to board the bus. Is this fair for commuters who are not well informed?

If RapidKL is trying to make things easier, there should be more promotions and awareness campaigns on this Kad Rabbit.What if a senior citizen or a disabled person who does not have a Kad Rabbit wants to board a bus?

What if the commuter is taking the bus only once for the day?Why must they be forced to buy the card at a minimum price of RM5 even though they will be travelling only once?

Let us say the cost of two-way travel is RM4. If your card has only RM4.30, you would not be able to use the card as you would need to have a minimum of RM5 to travel. This is based on a complaint received by the National Consumer Complaints Centre from a commuter.The managements of some fast- food outlets, dining establishments and cineplexes do not even know this card exists. So, how can consumers use it when these places are not prepared for it?RapidKL bus drivers should also be more considerate when handling passengers who are not aware of the card. They should explain the situation and not shout at them. Some drivers get annoyed and do not let the commuters board the bus. It would be good if commuters were given the choice of using cash or the card.

Public Transport-Kuching City.

Kuching is considered a non-active city at night, therefore public transportion after 7 pm may be limited to certain locations within Kuching or outside. Taxis are available 24 hours but also limited to those who used to travel at night and have a place to book for oncall taxi or rent a car at reasonable rate. Since all tourist spots in Kuching area is located quite far from one to another, therefore rent a car for convenience, you'll be able to visit more places. Unlike Kuala Lumpur City, Kuching serves without Train, no LRT, no commuter except for Bus/Water taxis (Sampan).

If  bus is your mode of transport in Kuching City ..first you need to study the bus route and make sure you know where you are going.

To be honest to visitors...While in Kuching City don't expect nice,cosy,air-condition bus station ..

My experience..If you want to go to Semenggok Wildlife Centre to meet Ritchie and family the Urang Utan.Go early in the morning take bus number K6.Don't take on noon e.g 13:30pm bus from Kuching because you might miss the return bus you go at noon returning is difficult .Go at 07:00am and are just in time to see Ritchie and friends 'The Urang Utan' feeding time that is at 09:00 am everyday.Spend few hours there and return by bus at noon is easier, but not after 04:00pm it might be difficult.

** Ritchie is the oldest urang utan at the wildlife centre in Semenggok.