Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal
{{Short description|Bus station in George Town, Penang, Malaysia}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal
| native_name = {{small|Terminal Sungai Nibong}}
{{rint|my|rapidpenang}}
| native_name_lang = MS
| type = Bus station
| image = Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal at night 2024.jpg
| address = Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, George Town
| borough = {{flag|Penang}}
| country = {{MYS}}
| coordinates = {{coord|5.343175|100.30048|region:MY|display=inline,title}}
| owned = Penang Island City Council
| operator = UDA Holdings
| structure = At-grade
| parking = Available with payment
| accessible = Y
| opened = {{start date|2005|4|df=yes}}
| services = Rapid Penang
Taxis
| map_image = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=13}}
}}
The Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal is a bus station in George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. Built in 2004, the terminal serves as the main intercity bus hub for the city, with services to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, along with Rapid Penang public transit services. Spanning an area of {{Convert|42112|sqft|abbr=on|adj=on}}, the terminal, owned by the Penang Island City Council, has a capacity of 1,000. It is also slated to form part of the proposed Mutiara LRT system.
History
File:Cmglee Penang Sungai Nibong bus terminal.jpg
The Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal was constructed in 2004 and officially opened to the public in April 2005, serving as a hub for intercity and transit bus services.{{Cite news |date=14 May 2024 |title=UDA expands business, operates Sungai Nibong bus terminal |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/05/1050595/uda-expands-business-operates-sungai-nibong-bus-terminal |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=New Straits Times}}{{Cite news |last=Hilmy |first=Imran |date=23 May 2024 |title=Commuters pleased with upgraded bus terminal |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2024/05/23/commuters-pleased-with-upgraded-bus-terminal |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=The Star}}{{Cite news |date=7 Nov 2019 |title=Rep: Sungai Nibong bus terminal needs upgrading |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2019/11/07/rep-sungai-nibong-bus-terminal-needs-upgrading |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=The Star}} In the years after its launch, the terminal faced challenges such as complaints about touts and insufficient amenities.{{Cite news |date=5 Apr 2019 |title=Penang bus operators cry foul over ‘touts’ at terminal |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/04/05/penang-bus-operators-cry-foul-over-touts-at-terminal/ |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}{{Cite news |date=13 Mar 2023 |title=Uplifting makeover for Sg Nibong bus terminal |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/03/13/uplifting-makeover-for-sg-nibong-bus-terminal |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=The Star}}
In 2021, Easybook, an online transport service provider, was granted a contract to revamp the terminal. The refurbishment included the integration of universal design amenities, implementation of automated ticketing systems and other infrastructure improvements.{{Cite news |last=Farahin Hameddy |first=Nurul Hawa |date=14 May 2024 |title=New user-friendly facilities for the disabled and elderly at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/new-user-friendly-facilities-for-the-disabled-and-elderly-at-sungai-nibong-bus-terminal/ |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} The upgrade project was completed in 2024 with a total cost of RM7 million, an increase from the initial estimate of RM6.2 million. UDA Holdings was appointed to manage the terminal, with plans to introduce retail spaces within the facility.
The terminal is also set to be part of the proposed Mutiara LRT line, which envisions a transit-oriented development around the terminal including a new train station and a maintenance depot at a nearby public space.{{Cite news |date=29 Mar 2024 |title=Construction of Penang LRT project expected to begin in September or October |url=https://thesun.my/local-news/construction-of-penang-lrt-project-expected-to-begin-in-september-or-october-PG12276922 |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite news |last=Tern Chern |first=Lo |date=25 Jul 2024 |title=Sungai Nibong envisioned as future state transit hub |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2024/07/25/sungai-nibong-envisioned-as-future-state-transit-hub |access-date=16 Sep 2024 |work=The Star}}
Public transport
Rapid Penang operates five bus routes through the terminal, connecting it with various parts of George Town.{{Cite web |title=Rapid Penang - Bus |url=https://myrapid.com.my/bus-train/rapid-penang/rapid-pg-bus/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=MyRapid |language=en-US}}
- 102: Sungai Nibong bus terminal–Penang National Park–Penang International Airport
- 303: Sungai Nibong bus terminal–Weld Quay–Bukit Gedung
- 304: Sungai Nibong bus terminal–Gurney Drive–Bukit Gedung
- 308: Sungai Nibong bus terminal–Gertak Sanggul
- 401: Sungai Nibong bus terminal–Weld Quay–Teluk Kumbar
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Public transport in Penang}}
Category:2005 establishments in Malaysia