Elevated public transport system mooted for Johor, says MB
AN elevated automated transit flow system (ART) to ease congestion at the city centre here will be implemented in the near future when approval is obtained from the federal government.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government’s proposal for the elevated ART project was presented to His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, The Regent of Johor, who were in favour of its implementation.
He said the proposal was now with the federal government for approval.
The elevated ART is a public transport system that operates on elevated tracks, similar to a monorail or elevated railway.
The automated vehicles would be guided by a system of sensors to ensure precise movement and safety.
“The Johor government is concerned about the congestion in JB city centre.
“We forecast, upon the completion of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) in 2026, some 10,000 inbound and outbound commuters will be travelling in an hour. This will cause massive congestion.
“The congestion issue in the state needs to be studied immediately and a solution must be found prior to the RTS completion. Proactive measures to address congestion need to be taken now,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the congestion issue in Johor had been brought to the federal government’s attention. Officials from Johor were part of the cabinet committee tasked with solving congestion issues nationwide.
Onn Hafiz said it was critical to address congestion on major roads leading to the city, namely Jalan Skudai, the Perling and Pasir Gudang interchanges, and border checkpoints.
Earlier, he launched Handal Indah Sdn Bhd’s cross-border electric bus service at the Mall of Medini near here.
Lim Han Weng, the founder of Johor-based transport provider Handal Indah, said RM80 million was invested to purchase 60 electric buses and equip depots in the state with charging stations.
Onn Hafiz said he had instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to pull up its socks and complete the construction of the combat diving pool at Iskandar Camp immediately.
He said PWD officers should monitor the project diligently and ensure it is delivered by its new delivery date — this June.
Asked on the next course of action if the project was not delivered by its new stipulated timeframe, Onn Hafiz replied: “Then the Public Works Department has to answer for themselves.”
Sultan Ibrahim had expressed his unhappiness over the issue and had decreed that the responsible parties should explain the delays to him.
In Kuala Lumpur, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the delay was due to the inability of subcontractors to carry out tiling works. He said the PWD was in the process of finding a replacement contractor which will be conducted through an open tender.
Khaled said he viewed the matter seriously and hoped that it could be resolved quickly, adding that the contractor would be subjected to penalties for any further delays.
In S ik , army chief General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan had admitted that the delay had affected training GGK commandos.
“The army is grateful to Sultan Ibrahim for His Majesty’s concern over the project,” he said.