Errant drivers not using Penang Sentral

BUTTERWORTH: Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB), which operates the northern region’s transport hub Penang Sentral, yesterday said some errant express bus drivers are refusing to follow stipulated procedures at the hub.

An MRCB spokesman said in a statement that all transport services providers (buses, taxis, the cross-channel ferry operator and KTM rail) had been briefed on the locations for picking up and dropping off passengers.

The statement was issued following reports that some bus operators had refused to enter the hub, preferring to drop their passengers off outside with no shelter.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to tighten enforcement in view of a few operators who are flouting the guidelines,” the spokesman said.

Penang Sentral, that is modelled after the highly successful KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur, had its soft opening on Thursday after some eight years of construction and redesigning work.

Costing RM2.7 billion, the other phases include a business hotel and shop lots.

The property offers seamless connectivity to the port, ferry terminals, and express buses and KTM rail passenger depots.

The hub is also designed to help revive Butterworth, which has slipped in terms of importance after the routes to the two Penang bridges had bypassed the historic township.