Forest City special lane mulled to ease traffic flow

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor is considering a designated lane for those travelling to and from the special financial zone in Forest City at the Immigration checkpoint of the Second Link here, says an exco member.

State works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (pic said the move, if implemented, could smoothen the traffic flow at the bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore, especially during peak hours.

However, he said in-depth studies need to be carried for the state government to identify the best strategy.

“We need to separate the daily and weekend travellers. We are also conducting a study to see if a special lane is needed.

“This will give us a clearer picture,” the Bukit Pasir assemblyman said after launching the bus service between Forest City and Tuas in Singapore yesterday.

The Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (KSAB) on the Second Link has so far recorded 28,000 daily travellers.

Mohamad Fazli said among the issues faced there is congestion, especially during daily peak hours, weekends and holidays.

He added that the implementation of the contra-flow lanes involving private cars at KSAB is expected to start by the end of this month.

“Currently, we have a bus contra-flow route. The system will be implemented during peak hours to avoid traffic congestion,” he added.

In August, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that a special financial zone would be set up in Forest City to boost investment, growth and economic activities in Johor.

He also announced several incentives, including a special income tax rate of 15% for skilled workers, and multiple entry visas.

He said that by doing so, the cost of doing business in the zone will be more affordable.