JOHOR BARU: Johor's proposed automated people mover (APM) and elevated autonomous rapid transit (e-ART) system will serve as a critical economic and social catalyst for the state, particularly in supporting the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Olive Tree Property Consultants founder and chief executive officer Samuel Tan said the integrated transit system would democratise mobility by reducing Johor Baru's heavy dependence on private vehicles while easing chronic congestion across the city.
He said the system, designed as a feeder network to the Johor Baru-Singapore rapid transit system (RTS) Link, would allow residents from suburban areas such as Skudai, Tebrau and Iskandar Puteri to travel to Singapore seamlessly without relying on cars.
"The project is far more than a local transport initiative. It is a strategic economic and social enabler for Johor," he said.
Tan said the network should work in tandem with the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) system, which is expected to strengthen last-mile connectivity by providing feeder bus services covering most parts of Johor Baru and surrounding districts.
He said the improved connectivity would significantly reduce commuter stress for the estimated 300,000 daily cross-border travellers by shortening travelling time and improving journey predictability.
"The loss of time and mental strain caused by long commutes are quantifiable and have real economic implications," he said.
Tan added that the transit project would also trigger urban renewal through transit-oriented developments (TODs) around stations, creating more walkable neighbourhoods with improved lighting, security and public amenities.
On the economic front, he said land prices near the RTS station had surged, with the new transit system expected to shift property demand from speculative-driven growth towards utility-based value.
He said the estimated RM7 billion project would generate jobs through construction activities and long-term operations and maintenance roles, while creating opportunities across the supply chain involving contractors, material suppliers and service providers.
Tan said the enhanced connectivity would further strengthen the Ibrahim International Business District as a commercial hub and increase Johor Bahru's ability to capture Singaporean consumer spending beyond weekends.
"The transit system is effectively the glue that makes the JS-SEZ twinning model viable by leveraging Singapore's financial strengths and Johor's competitive land and labour costs," he said.
He added that a reliable and efficient transport network would improve the attractiveness of the JS-SEZ to foreign investors while enabling Singapore-based professionals to work in Johor more efficiently.
Tan said the move towards driverless, high-frequency transit infrastructure also signalled Johor's readiness to adopt Tier-1 city standards, reducing infrastructure risk perceptions among global investors.
//ENDS
#kw Johor transit system, E-ART Johor Baru, RTS Link Johor, JS-SEZ, Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone, Johor congestion, IMBRT, transit-oriented development, Johor investment, JB public transport, RTS feeder system, Iskandar Puteri transit, Tebrau connectivity, Skudai transport