Positive feedback for Iskandar Malaysia BRT project

THE Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) project is set to transform public transportation in Johor as it has received positive feedback from the public.Johor works, transport and infrastructure committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said about 97.9% of 443 respondents supported the project after taking part in the IMBRT pilot test programme.

The pilot testing programme was launched by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad at Puteri Harbour here on April 8.

The testing ended last month, Solihan said.

The objective was to showcase green technology buses and obtain feedback from the Road Transport Department’s vehicle-types approval committee on their road worthiness.

“The pilot test programme for IMBRT was also held to get feedback from the public and agencies involved.

“IMBRT is a comprehensive transportation system that will become the backbone of public transportation within Iskandar Malaysia,” he explained.

Solihan said this in reply to Cheo Yee How (PH-Perling) who asked about the latest development with regard to IMBRT during the Johor state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar yesterday.

As at June this year, the implementation status of the IMBRT project, which was worth RM2.56bil, was at 21.57% compared to 23.56% as planned, according to Solihan.

“The IMBRT service is expected to start full operations in the fourth quarter of 2023,” he said.

The service will be connected to Rapid Transit System, Senai International Airport, Larkin Sentral, Gemas-Johor Baru electrified double-tracking project and ferry services at Stulang Laut and Iskandar Puteri.

Solihan said that until April, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) spent some RM151mil to finalise infrastructure engineering design, evaluate design of operational and financial requirements, conduct investigation work and land acquisition.

Solihan added that Hasni had also launched an IMBRT brand name contest, which ended on May 31.

Irda will table the results to the Mentri Besar as soon as possible.

“Irda will also hold a series of discussions on IMBRT routes with relevant agencies such as Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ) and six local councils.

“The IMBRT team regularly reports on the latest developments of this project to me,” said Solihan.

“If there are obstacles at the state level, I will, as the exco member responsible, cooperate to resolve related issues.”