Phase 1 of Integrated Transport Terminal in Gombak to be ready by March 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: The East Integrated Transport Terminal (EITT) project in Gombak, near here, which has stalled since 2001, is expected to start in June and the first phase ready by March next year.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the EITT, located near the Gombak LRT terminal, was expected to be fully completed in mid-2012 and would help reduce traffice congestion in the city.

He said the project was revived to improve the public transport system in the Klang Valley under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) initiative.

"This EITT project in Gombak is very important as it will divert some 780 buses from the north and east from entering the city centre," he told reporters after visiting the 13.2ha terminal site on April 13.

He said the construction cost of the terminal, financed under the Private Financing Initiative, was estimated to be RM200 million.

Ong said the EITT, with a capacity of 15,000 users daily, would also have facilities for taxis and stage buses, car parks to encourage the public to “park and ride”, covered walkways, a surau and a commercial centre.

"The adequate infrastructure provided will ensure smooth traffic flow, hence encouraging the people to use public transport in line with the government's aim of increasing public transport usage in the Klang Valley to 25% by 2012."

On stage bus services in the cities/towns, Ong said the ministry was striving to improve quality and reliability by ensuring there were enough buses to increase frequency, besides uniformity of bus-stops with the cooperation of the Housing and Local Government Ministry. -- Bernama