The estimated overall cost of providing Light Rail Transit (LRT) infrastructure in Johor is projected to be RM16.7 billion, whereas the provision of Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) infrastructure is estimated to cost RM7 billion. Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, the state executive councillor for Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications, revealed this valuation after a detailed comparison analysis between the LRT and ART systems, following presentations from two consortia proposing these public transport systems, as reported by Bernama.
Regarding the LRT system, Mohamad Fazli mentioned that it necessitates a new design for the elevated section and requires approval of the railway scheme. Additionally, infrastructure for depots and LRT stations would involve land acquisition for the depot in Desa Jaya and five acres of land for track switching/shunting.
In response to an oral question by Chen Kah Eng (DAP-Stulang) about the development of the LRT study for Johor Bahru, Mohamad Fazli disclosed that a special committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Transport (MOT), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), and Johor State Economic Planning Division (BPENJ), was convened in December to review the analysis results and recommendations.
He highlighted the government’s emphasis on completing the transport system development by the end of December 2026, coinciding with the start date of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) operation connecting Bukit Chagar to Woodlands, Singapore. Failure to complete the passenger dispersal service (ART/LRT) in line with the RTS operations could lead to congestion at the Bukit Chagar RTS Station.
Hence, the state government supports the proposed construction of elevated ART (E-ART) in Johor Bahru City to replace the canceled Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, as decided by the federal government earlier.