Harbouring hope: Mohd Zulhafni is confident the bus terminal will get a new look by end of this year.
MELAKA: Melaka Sentral – the country’s third-busiest bus terminal, continues to operate at near-full capacity as it gears up to receive tourists ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Melaka Sentral Sdn Bhd general manager Mohd Zulhafni Mad Rahis said the RM38mil terminal in Peringgit here, which records an average of 4,453 departing passengers daily, is expected to undergo remedial works later this year.
“I don’t have the exact date yet but the announcement is expected to be made this year to enhance the terminal’s appeal and readiness to welcome tourists in conjunction with VM2026,” he said in an interview yesterday.
While commuters continue to use Melaka Sentral, the structure is battling significant ground subsidence at certain sections, resulting in visible gaps between the ground and the walls.
Mohd Zulhafni said the Public Works Department (JKR) had identified consolidation settlement as the cause of the gradual sinking in certain sections of the terminal and they are being monitored.
“The issue was detected in 2018, which resulted in the closure of commercial units in Zone D until redevelopment works are carried out,” he said, dismissing claims that the closures were due to declining passenger traffic.
“That’s not true as businesses in other zones are operating well.
“JKR only advised the closure of one zone to minimise static pressure at the affected site,” he said, adding that the issue stemmed from soil movement.
Mohd Zulhafni also said rental rates at the terminal have remained unchanged since its opening in 2004.
“Our traders have been supportive and many are satisfied with the consistently low rental rates,” he said.
On the mitigation measures for the portions suffering from subsidence, he said various early warning system (EWS) devices were installed in the affected areas in 2021.
“The EWS alarm has never been triggered over the past five years, despite continuous foot traffic at the site,” he said, emphasising that passenger safety remains the terminal’s top priority.
“Some 227 buses depart daily from the terminal, including 27 express buses heading to Singapore each day,” he said, noting that more than 133,000 passengers depart from the terminal each month.
Mohd Zulhafni said more than 1.6 million bus tickets were sold at the terminal last year, reflecting its continued importance in the national transport network.
“This places Melaka Sentral among the busiest terminals in the country after Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in the Klang Valley and Larkin Sentral in Johor Baru,” he said.
