Bus operators in Medan Gopeng to move operations to new Amanjaya Terminal

BUS operators in Medan Gopeng have finally agreed to move into the RM140mil Ipoh Integrated Bus Terminal and Complex Bandar Meru Raya (Amanjaya Terminal) in Jelapang by next month.

An agreement has been inked between parties running the operations at both bus terminals with an understanding that existing bus operators in Medan Gopeng would have to move their operations to the new terminal within 30 days from Wednesday.

The signing parties were Terminal Urus Sdn Bhd, which manages the Amanjaya Terminal, Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd, Koperasi Pengangkutan & Pelancongan Bumiputra Perak Bhd, and Rhino Airies Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd.

Despite commencement of operations at the Amanjaya Terminal last September, several bus companies are still operating from Medan Gopeng.

As a result, the new terminal, which operates round the clock and is designed to handle up to 2,000 passengers daily, remains under utilised.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said he was happy that discussions between all parties in the public transportation system had proven to be fruitful.

“I have always emphasised that all parties concerned must engage in discussions rather than for the state government to compel them into action.

“Although the negotiations took time and was somewhat delayed, I believe it is better to have used such an approach rather than taking drastic action, which would not have benefited anyone.

“And so, we have finally come to a win-win situation for all,” he said.

Perak Development Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Aminuddin Md Desa, who was also present, said a total of 50 bus companies would be operating at the Amanjaya Terminal once the remaining bus operators moved in.

“At present, we have about 25 bus companies already operating from there,” he said, adding that the remaining bus operators had finally agreed to put an end to the longstanding issue for the sake of the public.

He added that the state government would revive plans to turn Medan Gopeng into a tourist attraction once all of the bus companies had vacated the place.

“In actual fact, the building in Medan Gopeng was originally earmarked for a tourism project.

“Its use as a bus terminal was only meant to be temporary,” Aminuddin said, adding that refurbishment works would be carried out, after which it would have a food centre and outlets selling local handicraft and batik.