| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
THE Land Transport Department (JPD) invited private sector companies to develop vacant land or existing infrastructures that are associated with the public transport upgrading project, during the 2nd InfoDAY Session for the Request for Expression of Interest (EoI) for the development and operation of Public Transport Infrastructures in Brunei Darussalam (EoI PTI) attended by private companies at the Land Transport Department in Beribi, yesterday.
Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Ladi, Director of JPD, while explaining the excerpts of the EOI PTI document, stated that the EoI makes direct requests to interested parties, which include potential public bus operators, to propose the best business model to develop and operate the sites and/or existing buildings under the ownership of the JPD and other departments under the Ministry of Communications.
“We encourage local and international participation, to create employment opportunities, well-connected public transport systems for greater mobility, accessibility, improved comfort, an increase in ridership and revenue,” he said.
The sites and buildings mentioned in the Brunei-Muara District were the Brunei International Airport (Arrival); the Passenger Ferry Terminal, Serasa; the Mail Processing Centre area, Old Airport; and the JPD vacant land in RPN Kampong Rimba (opposite Giant Rimba Hypermarket).
Sites and buildings in other districts listed were the JPD vacant land in Bangar, Temburong; and other sites and buildings under the Ministry of Communications; the newly-completed Muara bus terminal; and the Feeder Hub Station at the Bunut Post Office area.
Director of the Land Transport Department, Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Ladi (right), speaking at the event. – ABDUL HAKIIM YAKOF
He said that although the Muara bus terminal is not part of Passenger Terminal/Interchanges (PT/I), all buses to and from Muara will also drop and pick passengers at this terminal.
Dr Haji Supry added that the EoI is also open to interested parties to submit proposals for construction and operation in any of the existing or new bus stops either in package or per route or in whatever arrangements proposed.
Speaking on ongoing initiatives and other opportunities, Dr Haji Supry said that regarding the supply of taxi meters and signages, a local company has been awarded a contract and all 50 existing taxis will be installed with the mentioned devices and signs by the end of August and a newly-revised fare structure will be introduced.
“With regulated services and fares, the public’s confidence in the taxi service as an affordable and an alternative mode of public transportation will increase, and it will create jobs for taxi drivers and encourage the private sector to offer third party mobile apps to increase the public’s accessibility to taxi services,” he said.
Regarding the recent invita-tions for public participation to vote for the best bus colour and design, he said that a ‘Public Bus Logo Design Competition’ will be organised and the winners will be determined based on voting through social media and judged by a panel of judges.
Regarding the EoI to operate a driving school and training for bus and commercial drivers, Dr Haji Supry said that a request for proposal will be released soon to interested companies.
As for the EoI for the provision of public bus services (closing July 26), he said that apart from participation from the private sector, it will create employment for bus drivers, open up business opportunities for the supply of Bus Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and supply of Integrated Bus Ticketing Systems.
“This will lead to an efficient service which will bring about greater mobility, increased ridership, revenue, as well as improve the welfare of citizens and enhance the economy,” he said.
The EOI PTI will close on August 2.
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