Proposal to build two-decked bus-stops

 

BUS-STOP Development and Advertisement Sdn Bhd (BSDA) is proposing to local authorities a private financing initiative (PFI) to upgrade existing bus stops to double-decked air-conditioned structures on a deferred payment basis.

Managing director Abdul Murad Abdul Malek said the company's proposed upgraded bus-stop would be similar in size to two units of 40-footer containers stacked on top of another.

"It will be glass-walled, air-conditioned and equipped with toilet facilities and a mini cafe," he said after signing a collaborative agreement in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with Korean technical experts to facilitate bids for bus-stop upgrading concessions.

Also present were International Construction and Civil Engineering Co Ltd president director Park Il Chun and air-conditioner maker Hanaro Gongjo Co Ltd president Kim Dong Joo.

Kim said his company holds the patent to an integrated and "quiet" compressor air-conditioner that is energy efficient and eco-friendly.

"If there is good take-up of our air-conditioners from this bus-stop project, we may want to put up a factory here," he said.

In Malaysia, bus stops are usually built and upgraded on a design-and-build basis where payment is made to the contractor progressively.

Abdul Murad is offering to state governments the option to not pay upfront for work done on bus-stops, but award long-term concessions and advertisement rights instead.

"Financing will not be a problem as bankers agree that this business model is feasible," he said.

"We've proposed this idea to the Selangor state government and we've identified 1,700 sites that are suitable to be upgraded into air-conditioned bus-stops," he said.

Abdul Murad estimates the market value of upgrading 10,000 bus-stops throughout Malaysia to total about RM300 million.

"This is excluding advertisement rights, of course," he said.