The Bed Station

Heading to KLIA2 from KL Sentral

26 April 2023travelingpersecond

It would take a little longer to take a free service to the inn than riding the LRT “Laluan Kelana Jaya”. But in order to get around for the lack of Ringgit, I still decided to just take the free service of Go KL City Bus.

Hurrying to leave KLCC Park, I headed towards the KLCC bus stop which is located right in front of Suria KLCC. Arriving under the bus stop auspices, the green line of the “Free Bus Service” had been waiting for its passengers.

I rode it to reach the interchange point between lines, namely the Pavilion bus stop. From there I would catch the Go KL City Bus purple line to reach the Pasar Seni Bus Hub, the closest bus stop to my accommodation, namely The Bed Station.

—-****—-

Cheating underhandedly, I stepped up The Bed Station stairs, hoping not to be spotted by the receptionist when I crossed the inn’s front door. It was because I had checked out that morning, but that time, I forced myself to take a shower in the inn’s shared bathroom on the 3rd floor.

I made it through the reception room on the 2nd floor, at a glance I saw the reception staff were busy serving the inn’s guests who seemed to only just be arriving, indeed I arrived when the check-in period had opened.

Quickly moving, I immediately took a shower to clean all the sweat after walking around town that morning.

As soon as I finished bathing, I immediately went down to the reception desk to pick up the backpack I had left since morning.

The long queue at the reception desk made me invisible when I just came down from the top floor which wasn’t my right to enter it again, let alone to do any activity on that floor….Damn, Donny.

—-****—-

Succeeding to get a backpack, I rushed to Pasar Seni LRT Station which is only 200 meters from the inn.

When I arrived, I rushed to the automatic vending machine to exchange 1.3 Ringgit for a round blue token. That token would guarantee me to move toward KL Sentral.

The LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya with four wagons arrived to pick me up on the second-floor platform, and then I was following its spinning wheels heading to KL Sentral, which wasn’t even one station apart.

Within 15 minutes, I arrived at KL Sentral….

Down the escalator, I arrived at the first floor, and without long thinking, I immediately rushed to the basement level. I had an advantage in that I memorized the whole layout of KL Sentral, at least I had visited that famous transportation hub seven times. That was what made that so easy for me to reach the Aerobus ticket sales counter.

Aerobus is transportation from KL Sentral to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) which offers cheap travel when compared to using taxis, the KLIA Transit train, or the KLIA Ekspres.

I handed over 12 Ringgit to get a ticket to the airport.

—-****—-

A quarter of an hour past four in the afternoon….

After traveling for 45 minutes, I arrived at the 1st floor of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. I was dropped off at one of the platforms at the transportation hub at Gateway@klia2.

Even though my flight would take place at nine in the evening, that didn’t stop me from going straight to the 3rd floor to see more detailed flight information. As usual, I was always detailed and strict about flight schedules, at least that afternoon I had to find out the number of the check-in desk I would exchange my e-ticket for a boarding pass and at what gate my plane would take off.

I couldn’t hide a slight smile from my lips when I managed to get that information on the giant LCD on the 3rd floor.

“17:20, it turns out….”, I thought when I found out when the check-in desk would open.

I decided to do the last congregational prayer in the mosque on the 2nd floor and of course, planned to have dinner afterwards.

Not as usual when I was looking for food at KLIA2. That afternoon the regular restaurant serving cheap Indian food was closing. Was NZ Curry House whose location was covered by renovation boards.

But I don’t bother….

In 2015, I ate at a food court located on the 2M floor. I slightly forgot the position of the food court. But I intended to look for it until I found it. There was a padang-typical restaurant that offers cheap food in the food court.

“That’s it….”, I cheered inside when I saw the food court from a distance.

“Quizinn by RASA….”, I recited the name of that food court.

“Restoran Padang Kota Group….”, yupzzz I saw the restaurant I was looking for.

Presumably not able to linger, I headed for the Padang-typical restaurant and then looked for a menu according to the condition of my wallet. That was when my Ringgit would run out.

Fifteen minutes before checked-in, I was finally able to enjoy a portion of rice for 5.9 Ringgit. That was the rice I ate after I last ate it a day before.

So, that was Quizinn by RASA food court.

My menu that night: White rice, hard-boiled eggs, and vegetables.

Taking a seat, I enjoyed the dinner and then got ready to take my flight.

Was I going home?….

No….The real adventure was about to begin.

I would fly to a city in southern India….KOCHI.

Sipping Oat Powder at The Bed Station

18 January 202322 January 2023travelingpersecond

<—-Previous Story

I was so hungry that afternoon….

I rushed down the escalator after escalator to go to the 3rd floor of Bersepadu Selatan Terminal and immediately decided to get out via the connecting bridge to Bandar Tasik Selatan Station.

Arriving in front of the row of ticketing vending machines, I immediately looked for a ticket to Pasar Seni Station, which I would take using two integrated train routes, namely the Seremban LRT and Kelana Jaya LRT. I put 3.5 Ringgit into the machine to get a blue token to go to the Pasar Seni which was ten kilometers to the north.

It didn’t take long for the Seremban LRT to arrive and I entered the middle carriage. That afternoon the train was full, and I had to stand until the train arrived at KL Sentral.

You need to know that Pasar Seni is an area that is located just two kilometers north of KL Sentral. From KL Sentral, I rushed down and headed for the LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya platform to reach Pasar Seni Station.

At almost seven o’clock I arrived at the Pasar Seni…..

The Pasar Seni area was visible from the station.

Automatic fare collection gates Pasar Seni Station.

I momentarily pulled over in the corner of the station platform to observe the busy area of the Pasar Seni from above. It was been three times I’d explored the area since 2014, meaning this was the fourth time I’d arrived at the same place. Bored?…. Of course not, there were always new and interesting things that I could find even in the same place.

Towards dark, I started down the steps of Pasar Seni Station and started walking down Hang Kasturi Street to reach the inn, namely The Bed Station. The inn I chose was quite close to Pasar Seni Station, only needed to walk 200 meters.

Finding the inn’s location, I rushed in at an unguarded and unlocked door, only a stairway leading up, connecting several floors.

The reception desk I was looking for was located on the second floor. I entered the room where its situation was still empty and quiet. To then decided to take a seat in front of the reception desk to wait for the hotel staff to arrive.

Finally, fifteen minutes later, the male staff arrived.

“Hellooo….”, he friendly greeted.

“Hi….I want to check in”, I got up from my seat and approached the reception desk then handed over the online booking confirmation sheet and passport.

“Let me see!…. Your name is in our system. Ok, 22 Ringgit for room and 20 Ringgit for deposit”, he started to close the transaction.

“Why don’t several hotels in some cities in Malaysia require a deposit?”, I was feeling astonished

“I don’t know about that. I’m originally from Egypt, so I don’t know more…”, he explained still with a smile.

“Just take a bunk bed in your room….All the choices are up to you”, he handed me the locker key.

After completing the transaction, I headed to the 3rd floor via the stairs to enter the room. The room was full, with 20 bunk beds in the room leaving only a bunk bed near the door.

“Oh, this is my bed”, I smiled frowning.

The dorm room was empty, all guests were probably having an adventure in the city. Later that night, before going to bed, I found out that the guests were all a group from another city in Malaysia because they spoke Malay to each other. I guessed it was a group of students who were on a study tour because one of them was called a teacher.

I went around the 3rd floor looking for a shared kitchen but never found it. There was only a shared bathroom on a side of the stairs and a shared lobby in the form of a chair row with an elongated hanging table which was usually used by guests to work with their laptops. There was only a long sofa available in this shared lobby.

“Wow, that means I have to eat out”, I immediately decided to leave from the 3rd floor.

The single staircase connecting between the inn’s floors.

It was already eight in the evening….

That night I would only fully explore all sides of Central Market. Even though I’d visited it three times, I hadn’t even explored it in detail. So that night I will complete my intention.

I went back down Hang Kasturi Street heading north. Until arriving at a big T-junction.

“I have to have dinner soon, before going any further”, I decided to sit on one of the concrete benches on the edge of Tun Sambanthan Street.

I confidently opened the oat powder package, poured it into the foldable lunchbox, filled it down with mineral water, then started my very simple dinner. I deliberately sat on the side of the road because, on the upper side, the LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya went back and forth across the road beautifully.

LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya crossed Tun Sambanthan Street.

Don’t rush, Donny!

Enjoy your dinner!

Next Story—->

Exploring Bersepadu Selatan Terminal

17 January 202318 January 2023travelingpersecond

<—-Previous Story

Towards sunset, I arrived at Bersepadu Selatan Terminal after traveling eight and a half hours from Kuala Terengganu using the Arwana Bus service. Bersepadu Selatan Terminal is a giant terminal in the south of the city that replaces the role of Puduraya Bus Terminal which is located in the center of the city.

That night, I was going to stay at The Bed Station in the Pasar Seni area, but I didn’t need to be in a hurry because I’d reserved one bunk bed at that inn through a well-known inn e-commerce six days before I left my own home.

This wasn’t the first time I’d set my steps in Bersepadu Selatan Terminal (TBS). In March 2018, I stopped by for the first time when I was back from Melaka. Whereas my second visit occurred nine months later when I was back from Ipoh.

But on the last two visits, I’d been in a rush. So at that time too, I never had any intention of really exploring the biggest transportation hub in Peninsular Malaysia.

But in the late afternoon that night, instead of going to the inn.

My intention to explore TBS was growing at that time….

Finally, that evening, I decided to explore Bersepadu Selatan Terminal, which was an integrated hub covering an area of 2 hectares with a height of six floors, the pride of Malaysia.

That afternoon, the Arwana bus dropped off each passenger at the arrival hall on the 2nd floor, to be precise, on the west side of the terminal. As soon as I got off the bus, I was faced with five escalators in a row which would take each passenger up to the 3rd floor. Why was that?…. Because on the 3rd floor, was where the TBS’ connectivity point with other public transportation routes was located.

While passengers chose to continue their journey to their respective homes using private vehicles, of course, their vehicles were nicely parked on floors 4 to 6.

Entering TBS’ main lobby door on the 3rd floor, I was immediately faced with an arrival lobby on the right side of the door which was filled with rows of chairs. While in front of the arrival lobby, there was also the TBS executive lounge for passengers.

While several banking promotion booths appeared to have acquired several corners of the lobby, one of the bank’s brands was PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Nasional). The Guidance & Information LED also displayed a directory about floors 1-6.

The remaining part was travel-related stalls such as telecommunications equipment shops (DiGi was one of them) and minimarkets (POINT and 7-Eleven could be seen in the corridor) completing the hustle and bustle of the 3^rd-floor corridor.

West side of the terminal where the arrivals platform was located.

The arrival platform was visible from the 3rd floor.

Escalator to the departure hall on the 2nd floor.

Ticket sales counter seen from the 4th floor.

Before heading to the center of the hall, there was a departure hall gate that was divided into two departure gates. It was the two gates that would lead passengers to two parts of departure hall l, namely the departure hall with platforms 1-13 and platform 14-16. Meanwhile, right on the south side of the departure lobby, there was an exit to the connecting bridge which would take passengers to the commuter train line, Seremban LRT, and airport train (KLIA Transit). Apart from trains, of course, passengers would also be directed to be able to use city buses and airport buses.

Walk until you were right in the middle of the 3rd-floor room !, there were two giant LED boards to display departure and arrival schedules. Meanwhile, under the two LEDs, eighteen sales counters were visible in a row, acquiring almost half of the hall. And right at the very beginning of the ticket sales counter, six machines were part of the self-service ticketing system corner. And finally right at the very end of the hall, enhanced by the existence of an information center to facilitate the information needs of passengers.

From the elevator at the east end of the hall, I started to go up to the 4th floor. The 4^th-floor corridor was dominated by a food court, and shopping center, and there was also hotel transit, as well as access to parking locations. From the 4th floor, I followed the stairs to the 5th floor. There was no longer a hallway on the 5th floor, but all floors of the building were dominated by car areas (parking areas). Likewise, the 6th floor was also used for the same function.

After half an hour, I was satisfied exploring the whole of Bersepadu Selatan Terminal. Now it was time for me to head to The Bed Station. I had to get closer to downtown before it was too late.

The 4^th-floor hall of that 10-year-old terminal looked neat.

The connecting bridge to Bandar Tasik Selatan station.

The view from the connecting bridge to the east.

Finally, I rushed down using the escalator to the 3rd floor to reach the connecting bridge to the Seremban LRT.

Next Story—->

Menuju KLIA2 dari KL Sentral

27 September 20212 October 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Akan sedikit lebih lama menempuh jalur gratis menuju penginapan dibandingkan menunggangi LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya. Tetapi demi menebus ketiadaan Ringgit, aku memutuskan untuk mengeteng saja dan memanfaatkan jasa Go KL City Bus.

Bergegas meninggalkan KLCC Park, aku melangkah menuju halte bus KLCC yang terletak tepat di depan Suria KLCC. Tiba di bawah naungan halte, deretan armada “Perkhidmatan Bas Percuma^*1⁾” jalur hijau telah menunggu para penumpangnya.

Aku menunggangnya untuk menggapai titik pertukaran antar jalur, yaitu halte bus Pavilion. Dari situlah aku akan menangkap Go KL City Bus jalur ungu demi menggapai Pasar Seni Bus Hub, halte bus terdekat dari penginapanku, yaitu The Bed Station.

—-****—-

Mengendap-endap curang, aku menaiki tangga The Bed Station dengan penuh harap tak terpergok resepsionis ketika melintas di depan pintunya. Itu karena aku sudah men-check out masa inapku tadi pagi, tetapi kali ini, aku memaksakan diri untuk mandi di kamar mandi bersama lantai 3.

Aku sukses melewati ruang resepsionis di lantai 2, sekelebat kulihat staff resepsionis itu sedang sibuk melayani tamu-tamu penginapan yang tampak berdatangan, memang aku tiba ketika masa-masa check-in telah dibuka.

Bergerak cepat, aku segera mandi untuk meluruhkan segenap keringat setelah sedari pagi tadi berkeliling kota.

Begitu selesai berbasuh, aku segera turun ke meja reception untuk mengambil backpack yang telah kuititipkan sedari pagi.

Penuhnya antrian di meja resepsionis membuatku tak terlihat ketika baru turun dari lantai atas yang sebetulnya sudah bukan menjadi hak bagiku untuk menaikinya lagi, apalagi untuk beraktivitas apapun di lantai itu….Dasar, Donny.

—-****—-

Berhasil mendapatkan backpack, aku bergegas melangkah menuju Stasiun LRT Pasar Seni yang berjarak hanya 200 meter dari penginapan.

Begitu tiba, aku bergegas menuju automatic vending machine untuk bertukar 1,3 Ringgit dengan token bulat berwarna biru. Token itulah yang akan menggaransiku untuk bisa berpindah menuju KL Sentral.

LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya bergerbong empat tiba menjemputku di platform lantai dua, untuk kemudian aku larut dalam putaran roda kereta menuju KL Sentral yang jaraknya tak berselang satu stasiun pun.

Dalam 15 menit, aku tiba di KL Sentral….

Menuruni escalator aku tiba di lantai satu dan tanpa berfikir panjang segera bergegas menuju basement level. Aku punya satu keuntungan bahwa segenap denah KL Sentral telah kuhafal di luar kepala, setidaknya sudah tujuh kali aku menyambangi transportation hub kenamaan Negeri Jiran tersebut. Hal itulah yang membuatku dengan mudah menggapai konter penjualan tiket Aerobus.

Aerobus adalah transportasi dari KL Sentral ke Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) yang menawarkan perjalan murah jika dibandingkan menggunakan taksi, kereta KLIA Transit ataupun KLIA Ekspres.

Aku menyerahkan 12 Ringgit untuk mendapatkan selembar tiket menuju bandara.

—-****—-

Seperempat jam lewat dari pukul empat sore….

Setelah menempuh perjalanan 45 menit, aku tiba di lantai 1 Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. Aku diturunkan di salah satu platform di transportation hub di Gateway@klia2..

Walaupun penerbanganku akan berlangsung pukul sembilan malam, hal itu tak menyurutkan langkahku untuk segera menuju lantai 3 untuk melihat informasi penerbangan lebih detail. Seperti biasa, aku selalu detail dan strict perihal jadwal terbang, setidaknya sore itu aku harus mengetahui di check-in desk nomor berapa aku akan menukar e-ticket dengan boarding pass serta di gate berapa pesawatku akan di lepas.

Senyum tipis tak bisa kusembunyikan dari bibir ketika aku berhasil mendapatkan informasi itu di LCD raksasa lantai 3.

“Jam 17:20, ternyata….”, aku membatin ketika mengetahui kapan check-in desk akan dibuka.

Aku memutuskan untuk melakukan shalat jamak takhir di surau lantai 2 dan tentu berencana mencari makan malam setelahnya.

Tak seperti biasanya ketika aku mencari makan di KLIA2. Sore itu restoran langganan yang menyajikan makanan murah khas India sedang tutup. Adalah NZ Curry House yang lokasinya tertutp oleh papan-papan renovasi..

Tapi aku tak ambil pusing….

Pada 2015, aku pernah makan di sebuah food court yang berlokasi di lantai 2M. Aku sedikit lupa posisi food court itu. Tapi aku berniat mencarinya hingga ketemu. Ada restoran ala padang yang menawarkan makanan murah di food court tersebut.

“Itu dia….”, aku bersorak dalam hati ketika melihat food court itu dari kejauhan.

“Quizinn by RASA….”, aku melafal nama medan selera^*2) tersebut.

“Restoran Padang Kota Group….”, yupzzz aku melihat restoran yang kucari.

Kiranya tak bisa berlama-lama, aku menuju restoran ala padang itu kemudian mencari menu sesuai dengan kondisi dompet. Inilah saat dimana Ringgitku akan habis.

Lima belas menit sebelum check-in akhirnya aku bisa menikmati seporsi nasi seharga 5,9 Ringgit. Inilah nasi yang kumakan setelah terakhir aku memakannya kemarin siang.

Pemandangan dari Gateway@klia2 Lantai 2M.

Nah, itu dia Quizinn by RASA *food court*.

Menuku malam itu: Nasi putih, telur rebus kandar dan sayuran.

Mengambil sebuah tempat duduk, aku menikmati makan malam itu dengan khusyu’ untuk kemudian bersiap diri melakukan penerbangan lagi.

Apakah aku akan pulang?….

Tidak….Justru petualangan sesungguhnya baru akan dimulai.

Aku akan terbang menuju sebuah kota di selatan India….KOCHI.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Keterangan kata:

Perkhidmatan Bas Percuma^*1= Layanan Bus Gratis

Medan Selera^*1)= food court.

Menyesap Bubuk Oat di The Bed Station

7 September 202112 September 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Aku lapar sekali sore itu….

Aku bergegas menuruni escalator demi escalator untuk menuju lantai 3 Terminal Bersepadu Selatan dan langsung memutuskan keluar melalui jembatan penghubung menuju Stasiun Bandar Tasik Selatan.

Setiba di depan deretan ticketing vending machine, aku segera mencari tiket menuju Stasiun Pasar Seni yang akan kutempuh menggunakan dua laluan kereta yang terintegrasi, yaitu LRT Laluan Seremban dan LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya. Aku memasukkan 3,5 Ringgit ke dalam mesin untuk mendapatkan sebuah token biru menuju Pasar Seni yang letaknya berjarak sepuluh kilometer di utara.

Tak perlu lama menunggu, LRT Laluan Seremban tiba dan aku memasuki gerbong tengah. Sore itu kereta penuh, aku harus berdiri hingga kereta tiba di KL Sentral.

Perlu kamu ketahui bahwa Pasar Seni adalah sebuah area yang letaknya hanya dua kilometer di utara KL Sentral. Dari KL Sentral, aku bergegas turun dan menuju platform LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya untuk mencapai Stasiun Pasar Seni.

Hampir jam tujuh aku tiba di Pasar Seni…..

*Automatic fare collection gates* Stasiun Pasar Seni.

Aku sejenak menepi di pojok platform stasiun untuk mengamati keramaian area Pasar Seni dari atas. Sudah tiga kali aku menjelajah area itu semenjak 2014, berarti ini kali keempat aku tiba di tempat yang sama. Bosan?….Tentu saja tidak, selalu ada hal-hal baru dan menarik yang bisa kutemukan di tempat yang sama sekalipun.

Menjelang gelap, aku mulai menuruni tangga Stasiun Pasar Seni dan mulai menelusuri Jalan Hang Kasturi untuk menggapai penginapan, yaitu The Bed Station. Penginapan yang kupilih cukup dekat jaraknya dari Stasiun Pasar Seni, hanya perlu berjalan kaki sejauh 200 meter saja.

Menemukan lokasi penginapan, aku bergegas masuk pada pintu yang tak berpenjaga dan tak terkunci, hanya lorong berupa tangga menuju ke atas, yang menghubungkan ke beberapa lantai.

Meja resepsionis yang kucari ternyata terletak di lantai kedua. Aku memasuki ruangan itu yang suasananya masih kosong dan senyap. Untuk kemudian memutuskan mengambil satu tempat duduk di depan meja resepsionis demi menunggu staff hotel tiba.

Akhirnya lima belas menit kemudian, staff pria itu tiba.

“Hallooo….”, dia menyapa ramah.

“Hi….I want to check-in”, aku beranjak dari tempat duduk dan merapat ke meja resepsionis lalu menyerahkan lembar konfirmasi pemesanan online beserta paspor.

“Let me see!….Your name is in our system. Ok, 22 Ringgit for room and 20 Ringgit fo deposit”, dia mulai menutup transaksi.

“Why don’t several hotels in some cities require a deposit?”, aku sedikit tergelitik

“I don’t know about that. I’m originally from Egypt, so I don’t know more…”, dia menjelaskan tetap dengan senyumnya.

“Just take a bunk bed in your room….All the choices are up to you”, dia menyerahkan kunci locker kepadaku.

Usai menyelesaikan transaksi, aku menuju ke lantai 3 melalui tangga untuk memasuki kamar. Kamar itu penuh, 20 bunk bed di ruangan hanya menyisakan satu bunk bed di dekat pintu.

“Oh, ini tempat tidurku”, aku tersenyum mengernyitkan dahi.

Ruangan itu kosong, para penginapnya mungkin sedang berpetualang di tengah kota. Nanti malam, menjelang tidur, aku baru tahu bahwa tamu itu seluruhnya adalah sekumpulan rombongan dari kota lain di Malaysia, karena mereka saling bercakap menggunakan bahasa Melayu. Aku menebaknya sebagai sekelompok siswa yang sedang melakukan study tour karena salah satu dari mereka dipanggil dengan sebutan Cikgu.

Aku berkeliling lantai 3 untuk mencari shared-kitchen tetapi tidak pernah menemukannya. Hanya ada kamar mandi bersama di salah satu sisi tangga dan lobby bersama yang berupa deretan kursi dengan meja gantung memanjang yang biasa digunakan penginap untuk bekerja menggunakan laptop. Hanya tersedia satu sofa panjang di shared lobby ini.

“Waduh, berarti aku harus makan di luar”, aku segera memutuskan pergi dari lantai 3.

Tangga tunggal penghubung antar lantai penginapan.

Sudah pukul delapan malam….

Malam itu aku hanya akan mengeksplorasi secara lengkap segenap isi Central Market. Walau sudah tiga kali mengunjunginya, tapi belum sekalipun aku menjelajahnya secara detail. Jadi malam itu aku akan menuntaskan niat itu.

Aku kembali turun ke Jalan Hang Kasturi menuju utara. Hingga tiba di sebuah pertigaan besar.

“Aku harus makan malam segera, sebelum melangkah lebih jauh”, aku memutuskan duduk di salah satu bangku beton di tepi Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Aku dengan percaya diri membuka kemasan serbuk oat, menuangkannya di foldable lunchbox, mengguyurnya dengan air mineral, lalu memulai makan malam yang sangat sederhana itu dengan lahapnya. Aku sengaja duduk di tepi jalan itu karena di sisi atas, LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya hilir mudik melintasi jalanan dengan indahnya.

LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya melintas di atas Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Tak usah terburu waktu, Donny!

Nikmati makan malammu!.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Menjelajah Terminal Bersepadu Selatan

6 September 20217 September 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Menjelang maghrib aku tiba di Terminal Bersepadu Selatan pasca mengarungi perjalanan delapan setengah jam dari Kuala Terengganu menggunakan jasa Bus Arwana. Inilah terminal raksasa di selatan kota yang menggantikan peran Terminal Bus Puduraya yang terletak di tengah kota.

Malam itu, aku akan menginap di The Bed Station di daerah Pasar Seni, tapi aku tak perlu terburu waktu karena satu bunk bed di penginapan itu sudah kuamankan melalui e-commerce penginapan ternama pada enam hari sebelum aku pergi meninggalkan rumah.

Ini bukan pertama kalinya aku menjejakkan langkah di Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. Pada Maret 2018, aku menyinggahinya untuk pertama kali ketika kembali dari Melaka. Sedangkan kunjungan kedua terjadi sembilan bulan kemudian ketika aku kembali dari Ipoh.

Tapi pada dua kunjungan terakhir, aku memang terburu waktu. Jadi kala itu pula, aku tak pernah ada niatan untuk mengenal sungguh-sungguh hub transportasi terbesar di Semenanjung Malaysia itu.

Tapi sore menjelang malam itu, alih-alih langsung melanjutkan perjalanan

Niatku kini berkembang….

Akhirnya menjelang malam itu, aku memutuskan untuk mengeksplore Terminal Bersepadu Selatan yang merupakan hub terintegrasi seluas 2 hektar bertinggikan enam lantai kebanggaan Negeri Jiran.

Sore itu, bus Arwana menurunkan setiap penumpangnya di balai ketibaan (arrival hall) lantai 2, tepatnya di sisi barat terminal. Begitu menuruni bus, aku dihadapkan pada lima escalator berjajar yang akan membawa setiap penumpang naik ke lantai 3. Kenapa demikian?….Karena di lantai 3 inilah letak titik konektivitas TBS dengan jalur transportasi umum lainnya.

Sementara penumpang yang memilih melanjutkan pulang menuju rumahnya masing-masing menggunakan kendaraan pribadi, tentunya kendaraan mereka sudah terparkir manis di lantai 4 hingga 6.

Memasuki pintu main lobby bangunan TBS lantai 3, aku langsung dihadapkan pada sebuah arrival lobby di sisi kanan pintu yang dipenuhi dengan barisan kursi. Sementara di depan arrival lobby juga terdapat TBS executive lounge bagi para penumpang berduit tentunya.

Sedangkan beberapa stand promosi perbankan tampak mengakuisisi beberapa sudut selasar, salah satu brand bank tersebut adalah PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Nasional) . LED Panduan & Informasi juga tak ketinggalan tertampil berisikan directory tentang lantai 1-6.

Selebihnya kios-kios terkait perjalanan seperti kedai peralatan telekomunikasi (DiGi salah satunya) dan minimarket (POINT dan 7-Eleven tampak di selasar) melengkapi keramaian selasar lantai 3.

Sisi barat terminal dimana *platform* ketibaan berada.

*Platform* ketibaan tampak dari lantai 3.

Dua sisi gerbang pelepasan (*departure gate*).

*Escalator* menuju *departure hall* di lantai 2.

Konter-konter penjualan tiket dilihat dari lantai 4.

Sebelum menuju ke pusat selasar, terdapat gerbang balai pelepasan yang dibagi dalam dua departure gate. Dua gerbang itulah yang akan mengantarkan penumpang menuju dua bagian departure hal l, yaitu departure hall dengan platform 1-13 dan platform 14-16. Sedangkan tepat di sisi selatan departure lobby terdapat pintu keluar menuju jembatan penghubung yang akan mengantarkan penumpang menuju jalur kereta komuter, LRT Laluan Seremban dan kereta bandara (KLIA Transit). Selain kereta, tentu penumpang juga akan diarahkan untuk bisa menggunakan bus kota dan airport bus.

Berjalan hingga berada tepat di tengah ruangan lantai 3, terdapat dua papan LED raksasa untuk menampilkan jadwal berlepas (departure) dan ketibaan (arrival). Sedangkan di bawah dua LED tersebut, delapan belas konter penjualan tampak berjajar mengakuisisi hampir separuh sisi selasar. Dan tepat di ujung awal konter penjualan tiket, tersedia enam mesin yang menjadi bagian dari pojok self service ticketing system. Dan akhirnya tepat di paling ujung selasar, disempurnakan dengan keberadaan pusat informasi untuk memfasilitasi kebutuhan informasi para penumpang.

Dari lift di ujung timur selasar, aku mulai naik ke lantai 4. Selasar lantai 4 ini di dominasi oleh food court, shopping centre dan tersedia juga transit hotel, serta akses menuju lokasi parkir. Dari lantai 4, aku menelusuri jalur tangga menuju lantai 5. Tak ada selasar lagi di lantai 5, melainkan semua lantai gedung didominasi medan kereta (parking area). Begitu pula lantai 6, juga digunakan untuk fungsi yang sama.

Setengah jam sudah aku puas mengeksplorasi seisi Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. Kini sudah saatnya bagiku untuk menuju ke The Bed Station. Aku harus segera merapat ke tengah kota sebelum kemalaman.

Selasar lantai 4 di terminal berusia 10 tahun itu tampak rapi.

Jembatan penghubung menuju stasiun Bandar Tasik Selatan.

Pemandangan dari jembatan penghubung ke arah timur.

Akhirnya aku bergegas turun menggunakan escalator menuju lantai 3 rtuntuk meniti jembatan penghubung menuju ke LRT Laluan Seremban.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->