Miri Sentral Bus Terminal operational in Nov after tender process for management completed

MIRI (Sept 30): The tendering process for the management of Miri Sentral Bus Terminal at Miri Bypass is underway and should the process go smoothly, it will be ready for operation in November, according to mayor Adam Yii.

Yii said the ongoing tendering process would be a repeat round, as the first round received only two bidders.

“As per normal tendering process, it should have at least three bidders. So, we have to repeat the process for fair and just purpose, though it is taking a longer time,” he told an interview today.

He also said the evaluation of the tendering process focuses not only on the pricing, but also the overall experience of the interested management.

“At the end of the day, it is how to manage the bus operators who will be using the premises. So, it has to be a cordial and harmonious relation between the management and bus operators. The core of the business is to get the bus operators to utilise the terminal, and that involves attracting passengers,” he said.

Miri Sentral Bus Terminal, he added, would be an integrated facility, as not only it will be used by long-route bus services, but also stage buses as well as taxi and e-hailing services.

“After passengers reach the terminal by long-haul bus, they will need transportation services to travel from the terminal to city centre or back home. So, the management tendering for this should have good experience in managing terminals and the services involved,” he pointed out.

The much-anticipated facility was said to have been completed and handed over to Miri City Council (MCC) from the contractor around mid-September.

Yii hopes the tendering process will go well this time, so that the terminal can be operational by November this year.

Once the terminal begins operation, he added, the existing Pujut Corner Bus Terminal will be converted into wholesale market and seasonal food market.

“Whether bus operators are willing or not, they will have to relocate to the new terminal, and the existing terminal will be converted for other purposes that we have already planned for,” he further said.