JOHOR BARU: Serious and sustained efforts must be made to address worsening traffic congestion in the city centre here, especially with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link expected to begin operations soon, say residents.
They said the need is evident during weekends with an influx of visitors from Singapore, as well as Malaysians working there who return home for the break.
They foresee traffic situation worsening when the RTS, a 4km cross-border light rail project, is up and running by year-end, with more people expected to head downtown to take the train.
Freelancer David Chong, 72, said while there have been some improvements in some areas, traffic congestion remains a concern.
“Having more visitors is a good thing for Johor’s economy, but we need to make sure our roads and infrastructure are able to cope with the increase in traffic,” he said.
Recounting his nightmarish experience, Chong said he was once stuck for two hours just trying to exit a shopping mall car park.
He noted that efforts are already being made to improve the situation, including the implementation of contra-flow lanes during peak hours.
“These efforts do help and there has been a slight improvement. But I think more needs to be done, especially with the RTS Link set to begin operations soon,” he said.
Trader K. Sumathi, 47, said she usually avoids going out during long weekends or public holidays in Singapore.
“For me, this is a good thing as it helps local businesses.
“I think there needs to be better traffic management so that we can continue welcoming more visitors without causing too much inconvenience to locals,” she said.
Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said with the heavy flow of vehicles from Singapore over the weekend, traffic might be slow moving but there are no prolonged congestions.
The immigration clearance has also been quite smooth at the border, he added.
Johor Baru City Council mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the local council has always monitored the road conditions and is working closely with the relevant agencies to ensure smooth traffic flow.
“We are constantly working with the police and the Johor Public Transport Corporation, especially during festive periods and long weekends,” he said.
