Govt’s e-ART plan complements RTS Link, solves last-mile connectivity

JOHOR BAHRU:

The opening of the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link in January next year will mark a turning point for cross-border mobility, but its success will hinge on the city’s ability to manage the onward movement of thousands of passengers beyond Bukit Chagar.

To address this, the federal government is promoting the elevated autonomous rapid transit (e-ART) system as a solution to Johor Bahru’s last-mile connectivity challenge, hoping also to ease congestion in the city centre.

Universiti Sains Malaysia urban and regional planning lecturer Ismail Isa said the five-minute RTS Link journey between Bukit Chagar and Woodlands North must be complemented by an efficient onward transport network.

“The RTS only connects two points. The biggest challenge begins when passengers arrive at Bukit Chagar.

“(Many of them) would still need to travel to Skudai, Iskandar Puteri, Tebrau, Pasir Gudang and other areas. This is where e-ART plays a role as a connector for the next leg of the journey,” he told FMT.

He said that Johoreans would otherwise have to rely on private vehicles and e-hailing services, adding pressure to the road network once the RTS Link — capable of carrying up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction — begins operations.

Ismail said the resultant congestion could affect cross-border travellers significantly.

“Imagine, in just two or three trips, the number of passengers could reach tens of thousands. Without e-ART, many will turn to e-hailing during peak hours.

“As a result, users’ daily travel costs will also increase. In contrast, e-ART can offer more stable fares with much higher passenger capacity at any one time,” he said.

On Thursday, transport minister Loke Siew Fook reiterated the government’s commitment to expediting the e-ART project, including bearing part of its construction cost.

He said the government wanted the project accelerated, even though construction is expected to take several years, with mitigation measures put in place to ease traffic congestion while awaiting its completion.

Ismail said Johor also needs an integrated bus interchange at Bukit Chagar, park-and-ride facilities, safe and covered pedestrian walkways, and micromobility options such as electric bicycles and e-scooters to complete the overall urban mobility ecosystem.

Johoreans hope for smoother travel

Trader Yeow Boon Teck, 44, welcomed the RTS Link as a positive development, but said it must be supported by a comprehensive transport system.

“If there is e-ART, it will be even better. With a good system, congestion can be reduced,” said Yeow, who manages a family business that has operated in the city centre for more than 45 years.

For Azimah Hamidon, 49, the RTS Link, together with efforts to strengthen the transport network around the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, is a positive step that will ease the daily commute of thousands of cross-border workers.

“Alternative routes are important to avoid congestion so that the journey for cross-border workers can be smoother and less stressful,” said Azimah, who sends her husband to work in Singapore every day.

Bread seller Lim Toh Shian, 46, expects the RTS Link to boost the local economy by making it easier for Johoreans and Singaporeans to commute.

“The RTS is definitely better for both Johoreans and Singaporeans. I can already see business growing, and I believe it will continue to grow,” he said.

Lim is also looking forward to the e-ART system, saying he believes it will complement the RTS Link well and improve traffic flow in the city centre.

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