Work in progress: An aerial view of the construction of a rail bridge for the RTS along the Johor Strait near Stulang Laut, Johor Baru, as seen on Oct 24.
JOHOR BARU: Park-and-ride services should be made a priority to complement the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link that will start operating here in 2027, says Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.
He said this had been suggested to the Federal Government through the Transport Ministry.
He also urged the state government to look into complementary public transport facilities for commuters travelling between Johor and Singapore daily.
“Park-and-ride facilities should be given priority and the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is willing to assist by sharing the suitable locations (for the service).
“We have to ensure that efforts are made to minimise the presence of vehicles in the city centre,” he told reporters after chairing the monthly MBJB full board meeting here yesterday.
“At present, commuters who cross the border for work daily are parking their motorcycles and cars in the city centre, and there are also many who are taking ehailing rides.
“All of these contribute to the bad traffic congestion in the area,” he added.
Mohd Noorazam was asked to comment on plans to reduce traffic congestion when the RTS Link starts operating.
The mayor added that the Johor Public Transport Authority should also provide feeder bus services to transfer commuters between park-and-ride locations and the RTS station.
The link will be able to move 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction between Bukit Chagar here and Singapore’s Woodlands North.
The RTS Link – a 4km light rail transit shuttle service – is on track to be completed by the end of 2026 and expected to be operational on Jan 1, 2027.
Passengers will enjoy a fast and seamless travel experience with a train ride of only about five minutes between the two stations.
Complete Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facilities for Singapore and Malaysia will be located at the Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar stations respectively.
The link was reportedly at its 41% completion mark as at June 30.
