Concerns are rising over potential traffic congestion in Johor Baru ahead of the completion of Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
Johor MCA treasurer Senator Datuk Ng Keng Heng questioned why the Federal Government has yet to approve the Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-ART) system despite the RTS project nearing completion.
“We want to know why the Federal Government, especially the Finance Minister and Transport Minister, have not approved the E-ART.
“The RTS project is nearing completion, but discussions on the supporting transport system are only taking place now,” he said during a site visit to RTS Bukit Chagar station in Johor Baru.
Ng was accompanied by Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) councillors Bong Seng Heng, Chan San San and Teow Chia Ling.
He said Johor Baru residents were worried that traffic congestion would worsen once the RTS operations starts.
“The concerns are valid because, until today, we have yet to see any road construction or widening works being carried out around Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Jalan Tebrau and other surrounding roads.”
He said he would raise the matter in the Dewan Negara when it reconvenes in July if concerns remain unresolved.
Bong said many people were worried as discussions on the supporting transport system were moving slowly.
“Public transport is a good thing. However, if the project is not planned properly, the RTS could bring major problems to Johor Baru residents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chan said traffic congestion in Johor Baru was bad during peak hours.
“Once the RTS starts, more buses and cars will enter the same area,” she said.
Teow added that the proposal to add 250 buses to transport RTS passengers could further strain Johor Baru’s roads.
“The problem is the number of people and buses entering the area.
“Can our roads cope?” she asked.
Teow added that uncertainty surrounding the E-ART project also meant the feeder transport system remained unclear.
“If the E-ART still does not materialise, what plans are there for the feeder system?
“In the end, everyone will still converge at JB Sentral,” she said.
On May 17, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced at the Pakatan Harapan national convention that the Cabinet had approved the RM10bil E-ART project to ease traffic congestion in Johor Baru.
However, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had, on May 21, questioned the timing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to the E-ART consortium.
He asked why the Prime Minister’s Department’s Public-Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) only made the move in early May, when the RTS Link is scheduled to open in seven months.
“An LOI from Ukas does not mean the project is confirmed – it is not a letter to start work, nor is it a final contract.
“It is merely a document expressing the intention to begin negotiations on commercial terms with the concessionaire.
“Do not sell the LOI as if the project is already completed and do not claim political credit when the final contract has not even been signed,” he had said.
Once operational early next year, RTS Link is expected to shuttle up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction between Johor Baru and Singapore.
