JBB Builders, Gemilang Coachwork to participate in IMBRT project
JBB Builders (M) Sdn Bhd (JBB Builders) and Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd (Gemilang Coachwork) announced its partnership to participate in the projects available in the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) initiative following the launch of the IMBRT pilot test last week by the Johor state government.
JBB Builders is a key active player in the marine construction industry that also specialises in building and infrastructure services. Meanwhile, Gemilang Coachwork is a company that specialises in technical services such as bus-related IT infrastructure, operating control and information centre, fare collection system and many other bus-related products and services.
The IMBRT is a strategic national initiative to develop a reliable and convenient bus transit system to improve accessibility and enhance the quality of life of the communities in Iskandar Malaysia.
It is the first comprehensive state-level implementation of a BRT system in the country and will serve as the backbone of the public transportation infrastructure in Iskandar Malaysia.
The project is expected to increase the use of public transportation in Iskandar Malaysia from 15 per cent currently to 40 per cent in 2025. According to the state government’s target, about 90 per cent of Iskandar Malaysia would be covered with a public transportation system by 2025, from the existing 39 per cent.
Johor has started a three-month pilot testing for the IMBRT system using electric and biodiesel-based green technology buses from nine local and international bus suppliers. The IMBRT project is expected to be fully completed within the next two years.
JBB Builders and Gemilang Coachwork had showcased their fully-electric bus prototype for the IMBRT at the launch of the IMBRT pilot test event. 3 out of 6 buses that were presented at the IMBRT launching uses Gemilang Coachwork’s main product, which is the full aluminium bus body system.
Gemilang Coachwork managing director Pang Chong Yong explained: “Generally speaking, Bus Rapid transit (BRT) is a busbased public transport system that includes roadways that are dedicated to buses, and gives priority to buses at intersections where buses may interact with other traffic, alongside design features to reduce delays.
“Therefore, besides buses, the overall planning and execution for dedicated bus lanes, bus stations and bus stops are believed to be equally important.”
He added that with the combination of strong industry experience and track records of Gemilang Coachwork and JBB Builders, they will be able to contribute to their home ground by providing high quality, commercially feasible and the most cost-effective BRT solution for the Iskandar Region.
The two Johor companies had also demonstrated their capabilities on the road with the prototype which consists of Gemilang Coachwork’s aluminium bus body superstructure and Zhejiang CRRC Electric Vehicle Co Ltd’s fully-electric powertrain.
According to Gemilang Coachwork, this particular model has been driven in Perak, Putrajaya, Shah Alam and tested for one full year in Kuching prior to the deliveries of four commercial units last month for “Kuching Metro Electric City Bus”.
“Gemilang Coachwork is the leading bus and bus body manufacturer in Malaysia with over 30 years of industry experience. With strong support from well-known chassis suppliers such as CRRC, MAN, Scania, Volvo and BYD, we are now the biggest electric bus and aluminium bus body manufacturer in Malaysia,” he said.
The company’s zero-emission aluminium buses are mainly shipped to export markets such as USA, Australia, Singapore and other countries.