Decision to implement BRT project based on solid reasoning
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The decision to implement the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the Iskandar Malaysia region was not made in haste, but instead was based on solid reasoning, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the decision was also made after taking into consideration the population of Johor Baru and Iskandar Malaysia, which was relatively small for a Light Rail Transit (LRT) or a Mass Rapid Transist (MRT) system.
"The cost to implement an LRT or MRT project is much higher than the BRT that we chose.
"Both factors (small population and cost) would have a major impact ... ticket fares might be very expensive. It would not be practical and popular among the people," he said when winding-up the debate on the state budget 2018 at the State Assembly sitting here today.
He said an estimated 203 cities worldwide were using the BRT, instead of the LRT and MRT, including Copenhagen in Denmark, Stockholm in Sweden and Brisbane in Australia.
"However, let me state here that in the future when the time is right and there is a need for it, the state and federal governments will definitely consider implementing the MRT or LRT project in Johor," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled stressed that the number of Johor residents who worked in Singapore did not reflect a bad economic situation or lack of employment opportunities in the state.
Instead, he said it was the difference in currency values that had contributed to the situation and prompted many residents in Johor to work in Singapore.
"I use the term residents in Johor because not all who work in Singapore are Johoreans. They are Malaysians from various states like Kedah, Sabah, Sarawak and Penang, but residing in Johor," he said.
As a state bordering Singapore, he said it was inevitable for Johor to become a global an dynamic cross-border trade centre.
"The cross-border economy is now an unstoppable global phenomenon. Johor's future will also be shaped by globalisation and not just national borders," he added. — Bernama