ISKANDAR PUTERI: The newly-launched Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will serve as the backbone of the public transportation infrastructure in Iskandar Malaysia over the next 20 years.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said BRT is a high quality bus-based transit system which would provide reliable, comfortable and cost-effective services.
"With the expected population and economic growth as well as increased job opportunities, I am confident that the BRT would become a catalyst for Iskandar Malaysia to be more competitive globally, and on par with other developed countries," said Najib at the launch of the Progressive Johor Expo in Kota Iskandar, here today.
The BRT system will be developed at a cost of RM2.56 billion with the Federal government providing RM1 billion of the funds, while the remaining funds is coming from a public-private partnership initiative.
"I was informed that the BRT will have elements of light rail transit or metro, which would make it quicker than regular bus services.
"We will ensure that the BRT system would be linked to the Rail Transit System (RTS), the High Speed Rail (HSR) and intercity bus service," said Najib at the project launch today.
The system, to be developed by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) and the state government, is expected to be operational by 2021 and will cover 90 per cent of Iskandar Malaysia. It will have a route spanning 51 km and 39 stations.
The BRT was among four initiatives announced by Najib at the launch of the expo.
The other three initiatives were the Johor Skills Development Master Plan; Johor Sustainability Policy; and four People's Housing Programme (PPR) projects that will be located in Johor.