Puduraya renamed Pudu Sentral to reflect its new and modern image

KUALA LUMPUR: After 35 years and a RM52mil upgrade, Puduraya has now been renamed Pudu Sentral - to reflect its modern, classy and upbeat new image.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who announced the rebranding of the iconic bus terminal yesterday, said the idea to rename it came from a follower of his Twitter account.

“When I sent out a tweet' to say I would be visiting Puduraya, I received a reply suggesting that the name be changed to reflect its new, modern image.

“After considering the suggestion and discussing the matter with the management, I decided to rebrand it as Pudu Sentral,” he said after opening the renovated bus terminal at the heart of the city here yesterday.

Designed to look like an airport terminal, the transformed Pudu Sentral has walkalators, a bubble lift, fully air-conditioned waiting area and closed-circuit TV cameras for security.

Najib said the RM52mil spent on the renovation work had resulted in a facility that all Malaysians could be proud of.

“This is what I have in mind for Malaysia,” he said, adding that commuters would have to do their part to maintain the cleanliness at the terminal.

The upgrading was a result of his visit there three weeks after taking office as Malaysia's sixth prime minister in April 2009.

Taking into consideration the public feedback, he directed for changes to be made to make it more comfortable for passengers.

Meanwhile, commuters gave the “thumbs up” for the reconstructed city landmark, saying they were impressed with the changes made to the terminal, which also included improved services.

Nursing student Nurul Jannah Busrak, 21, said: “Before it was upgraded, touts used to harass us.

“Now everything is more organised,” added the young woman from Sungai Petani who was returning home for the Hari Raya break.

Passenger Mahalekshy Subramaniam, 39, said the cleaner toilets were a welcome change to what they were before the upgrade.

Traditional Chinese physician Bobby Yong, 60, from Butterworth, said: “I hope Malaysians will come to see this. It shows Malaysia is capable of world-class standards.”