BRT in Iskandar Malaysia based on solid reasoning

Johor Corporation(JCORP) chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin speak to journalists during the launching of KPJ Healthcare Conference & Exhibition 2013 at One World Hotel in Damansara on NOVEMBER 06, 2013. Pic TMR File

By BERNAMA / Pic By TMR File

The decision to implement the bus rapid transit (BRT) project in the Iskandar Malaysia region was not made in haste, but instead was based on solid reasoning, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (picture).

He said the decision was also made after taking into consideration the population of Johor Baru and Iskandar Malaysia, which was relatively small for a light rail transit (LRT) or mass rapid transist (MRT) system.

“The cost to implement an LRT or MRT project is much higher than the BRT that we chose.

“Both factors (small population and cost) would have major impact…ticket fares might be very expensive. It would not be practical and popular among the people,” he said when winding-up the debate on the state’s budget 2018 at the state assembly sitting in Iskandar Puteri yesterday.

He said an estimated 203 cities worldwide are using the BRT, instead of the LRT and MRT, including Copenhagen in Denmark, Stockholm in Sweden and Brisbane in Australia.

“However, let me state here that in the future, when the time is right and there is a need for it, the state and federal governments will definitely consider implementing the MRT or LRT project in Johor,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled added that the number of Johor residents who work in Singapore did not reflect a bad economic situation or lack of employment opportunities in the state.

Instead, he said it was the difference in currency values that had contributed to the situation and prompted many residents in Johor to work in Singapore.

“I use the term ‘residents’ in Johor because not all who work in Singapore are Johoreans.

They are Malaysians from various states like Kedah, Sabah, Sarawak and Penang, but residing in Johor,” he said.

As a state bordering Singapore, he said it is inevitable for Johor to become a global and dynamic cross-border trade centre.

“The cross-border economy is now an unstoppable global phenomenon. Johor’s future will also be shaped by global isat ion and not just national borders,” he added.