IMBRT is poised to be the backbone of public transport in Iskandar Malaysia
Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) organised a Lead Consultant Industry Briefing for Consultant Engineers, Quantity Surveyors and Architects to provide an overview of the IMBRT project.
The briefing also intended to ascertain interest from the relevant industry players, in anticipation of the impending Tender Process, in the first quarter of 2019. In addition, it provides an opportunity for networking as well as a dialogue on issues relevant to the project between IRDA and those attending.
Some 200 people attended the briefing, both local and foreign. There was also a large turn out from Johor consultants eager to learn more of how they would be able to participate in the project.
Numerous questions raised during the briefing also indicated interest and commitment to the project. The Lead Consultant, who would be elected via an Open Tender Process, will need to select, appoint and direct the work of other associate consultants, as well as serve as the main point of contact between the Consultant Team and IRDA/BRTIM.
Although the initial plans for IMBRT were initially mooted in 2010, a refreshed plan was necessary to meet the current scenario of Iskandar Malaysia. As such, the call for potential Lead Consultants to provide a variety of options and alternatives to the present plan was voiced during the briefing.
IMBRT is poised to be the backbone of public transport in Iskandar Malaysia – with connectivity to the double tracking Project from Gemas to Johor Bharu, the RTS and eventually the HSR project.
Supporting the Smart Mobility aspect of the Smart City Iskandar Malaysia Masterplan, the IMBRT project aims to increase public transport coverage from 39% to 90% by 2025.
This bodes well to serve the more than 350,000 daily border crossings and commuters to Singapore. Unique to Johor, it has 4 peak hours daily: 2 in the morning, 5:00am – 7:00am for commuters into Singapore, and 7:00 am onwards for local traffic; and likewise 2 in the evening.
An efficient Public Transport system could aid in ensuring a smooth and fuss free commute, especially one that focuses on the first and last mile connectivity.
With 39 stations and 3 hubs on the Trunk routes, further supported by 26 Direct Services routes and 42 Feeder Services routes, the total coverage in km of the IMBRT project is 1214km.
For more information on the project please visit www.ibrt.com.my.
