The Johor Menteri Besar says the e-ART project is important to avoid severe traffic jams in Johor Bahru when the RTS Link starts operations next year.
kuala: The Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-ART) project is important to prevent severe traffic congestion in Johor Bahru when the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link begins operations next year, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri ON Hafiz Ghazi.
He said e-ART was the long-term solution needed to support the city’s mobility system, as increased passenger movement was expected to put more pressure on the existing road network once the RTS link is fully operational.
According to him, the short- and medium-term measures currently being implemented, including the expansion of Park and Ride facilities and smart traffic management at JB Sentral, can only temporarily reduce congestion.
“We have to implement these short and medium term measures as the main project to disperse traffic from the RTS link has not started yet.
“Therefore, there is one project that we still need to focus on and accelerate, which is the E-ART project,” he said during the launch of the Southern Shuttle Train service at KTM Kulai Station today.
Transport Minister Anthony Locke and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nee Ching, who is also Kulai Member of Parliament, were present.
ONN Hafiz said the implementation of e-ART was important, given that Johor Bahru alone has about 1.8 million residents, a figure almost equal to the population of Penang.
He also said that as the country’s main international gateway for cross-border movement, Johor Bahru needs an efficient, high capacity and well-connected public transport system.
“I believe that the federal government’s determination and prompt implementation of this project will have a huge impact on the people of Johor, especially in reducing congestion and improving daily mobility.
“This is a form of federal intervention that people can really feel, appreciate and remember,” he said.
