The federal government will contribute RM1 billion towards the development of the bus rapid transit (BRT) while the rest, amounting to RM1.56 billion, would be financed via a private-public partnership.

Announcing this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak said the BRT project — under the concept of inclusiveness and sustainability — worth RM2.56 billion, would be developed by the federal government via Iskandar Regional Development Authority and the Johor state government.

“The BRT will be the public transportation infrastructure backbone in the Iskandar Malaysia region in the next two decades.

“The BRT is a high quality bus-based transit system which will give a reliable, comfortable and cost effective service,” he said.

The prime minister said this in his speech when launching the Johor Progressive Expo 2017 at Kota Iskandar in Iskandar Puteri on Saturday.

Najib — who is also finance minister — said he was made to understand that the BRT contained the same features as the light rail transit or metro, which is faster compared to normal bus services.

He said the BRT is expected to be operational in 2021, cove- ring 90% of Iskandar Malaysia with a 51km route through 39 stations.

“It will be ensured that the development of the BRT system will have smooth links to the rail transit system, high-speed rail, KTM Komuter rail system and inter-town bus terminals.

“With the expectations of increase in populace and economic growth to simultaneously boost job opportunities, I am confident that the BRT would become a catalyst to spur Iskandar Malaysia to a more competitive level globally on par with other developed nations,” said Najib. — Bernama