Two priority corridors proposed for Johor Baru e-ART system to ease congestion

JOHOR BARU: The Skudai-Tampoi-Larkin-city centre and Tebrau-Pandan-city centre corridors have been proposed as two priority routes for Johor Baru's Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (e-ART) system, given their strong potential demand for public transport. MY Mobility Vision founder and senior adviser Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said both corridors could serve as key transport links connecting residential areas, employment centres and commercial hubs to the city centre, helping to ease traffic congestion. He said selecting the right routes was crucial to ensuring that the e-ART system not only provided another public transport option but also helped reduce residents' reliance on private vehicles. Commenting on the government's plans to introduce the e-ART system as a key measure to tackle traffic congestion in Johor Baru, Wan Agyl said its effectiveness would also depend on how well it integrated with the RTS Link, KTM Komuter and existing bus services. He added that careful planning must take into account residents' daily commuting patterns, the availability of transport interchange facilities and the system's capacity to carry passengers from residential areas to the city centre and Bukit Chagar RTS Station. "Attention must also be given to traffic management around Bukit Chagar to prevent congestion from building up due to vehicles picking up and dropping off passengers," he said. Wan Agyl said Pasir Gudang and Iskandar Puteri could also be considered for future phases of the e-ART system's expansion, extending public transport connectivity to more communities. He added that the opening of the RTS Link, slated for February next year, should serve as a catalyst for developing a more efficient and integrated public transport network in Johor Baru. Meanwhile, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Industry Centre of Excellence for Railway head Associate Professor Nor Aziati Abdul Hamid stressed the need for seamless integration between the e-ART system and the RTS Link to facilitate smooth passenger movement. She said the e-ART system could play a key role in dispersing passengers arriving at Bukit Chagar via the RTS Link, potentially easing congestion around the Johor Causeway. Nor Aziati said careful attention must be given to service frequency, route suitability, convenient transfers between transport modes and first- and last-mile connectivity to encourage more commuters to use the system. She said plans for the e-ART network should also take into account its potential future expansion to Senai International Airport (LTAS) to improve transport connectivity. Kempas resident Faisyah Farain Ramli, 33, said the introduction of the e-ART system would offer a more convenient and affordable transport option, particularly for those without private vehicles. She also hoped the e-ART system would provide reliable services and expand its coverage to more areas, helping residents save time and reduce their daily commuting costs. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2027 on Oct 9, announced that the government had agreed to implement the e-ART system as the main solution to traffic congestion in Johor Baru. Anwar also announced measures to strengthen the public transport network ahead of the RTS Link's launch, including expanding stage bus routes, increasing the frequency of stage bus and KTM Komuter services, and introducing Grab Shuttle services in high-traffic areas. - Bernama