While the provision of Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) infrastructure is expected to cost RM7 billion, the provision of Light Rail Transit (LRT) infrastructure in Johor is estimated to cost RM16.7 billion overall.
After hearing from two consortiums that presented their proposals for the LRT and ART public transportation systems, State Executive Councillor for Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communications Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh stated that the valuation was determined through a thorough comparison of the two systems.
“For the LRT system, it requires a new design for the elevated section in addition to requiring the approval of the railway scheme.
“For the infrastructure of depots and LRT stations, it requires the acquisition of land for the depot in Desa Jaya and the acquisition of five acres of land for the track for switching/shunting,” he said at the 15th Johor Legislative Assembly (DUN) meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail.
He was responding to an oral query about the creation of the Johor Bahru LRT study from Chen Kah Eng, a Stulang Assemblyman.
According to Mohd Fazli, a special committee was convened in December 2023 to examine the analysis and recommendations. The committee consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas), and the Johor State Economic Planning Division (BPENJ).
He said that during the special committee’s two meetings, two consortiums that were proposing the LRT and ART public transport systems had given presentations.
One of the factors that the government is emphasising, according to Mohammed Fazli, is whether the planned transport system can be finished by the end of December 2026.
He mentioned that it was also the first day that the Bukit Chagar to Woodlands, Singapore, Rapid Transit System (RTS) goes into service.
“Congestion will occur at Bukit Chagar RTS Station if the passenger dispersal service (ART/LRT) is not completed in line with the start of RTS operations.
“Thus, the state government supports the proposed construction of elevated ART (E-ART) to be developed in Johor Bahru City to replace the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that was cancelled by the federal government earlier,” he said.
