JOHOR BUDGET: PUBLIC TRANSPORT IMPROVED IN LINE WITH DEVELOPMENT, RTS LINK - EXCO

JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The Johor state government, through its Budget 2026, continues to improve the public transport sector to offer safer and efficient services, in line with rapid development and the implementation of major projects such as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said several strategic steps have been drafted, including a study to take over the public bus terminals, to ensure its management standards can be standardised and improved.

The study will determine the best model to raise the terminals’ image so that they are more high-technology, cleaner, comfortable and safe according to the Land Public Transport Agency’s (APAD) standards and benefit users directly.

“…with this, the people will enjoy more organised terminals, where their safety is assured and has a more systematic coverage,” he told Bernama, adding that efforts towards the Smart City Agenda via the development of bus terminals as modern transportation hubs also supports the growth of the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone and major cities, and opens up economic opportunities through the rental of business areas.

As a start, the state government will upgrade the Pasir Gudang City Centre Bus Terminal Complex and the Penawar Bus and Taxi Terminal with an allocation of RM2.6 million, while RM31 million will be channeled to finance the Muafakat Johor Bus (BMJ) initiative, RM895,000 will be allocated for the Smart Public Bus Terminal Digitalisation initiative and more bus pillars along the BMJ routes.

“Meanwhile, RM1.42 million has been allocated for the Johor Shuttle Bus, the free bus service to critical locations such as Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Sultan Ismail Hospital, the Johor Zoo and Sultan Ibrahim Stadium,” Mohamad Fazli said.

He also informed that the state government will channel RM17 million via the Johor Special Aid to 42,524 qualified taxi and p-hailing drivers, involving a one-off payment of RM400. 

Attention is also being given to water security and disaster resilience to ensure public basic resources and economic development remain stable and protected, he said, noting that RM7 million has been allocated for environmental conservation, including upgrading river basins and installing log booms, in line with bank reinforcement projects along Sungai Mengkibol, Sungai Sayong and Sungai Benut.

“In addition, RM2.55 million has been allocated to tackle beach erosion in critical areas such as Pontian, Mersing and Muar,” he said, while RM22.6 million has been allocated for drainage system work and flood hotspots, and RM9.6 million has been earmarked for flood mitigation plans.

To tackle unstable water supply, RM44.5 million has been channelled to upgrading the distribution system, including RM32 million to raise the water pressure and building reserve tanks in end-of-supply areas such as Rengit, Batu Pahat.

“Main pipe replacement in Redong, Segamat will involve a cost of RM12.5 million to settle the problems of old piping and low water pressure and involves switching the water supply source to Air Panas Water Treatment Plant C that has been upgraded and the installation of larger pipes,” he added.

Several critical fixes will be implemented, including improvements to the structure of calming pools in Kahang Dam and rehabilitation of slopes at Juaseh Dam, Segamat while RM1.1 million has been allocated for rental of Telemetri Stations to monitor water quality, RM600,000 for water quality monitoring systems and RM850,000 for dam risk management, including the preparation of emergency response plans.

For road maintenance, the state government will receive RM655 million under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) for maintenance of state, local, village and agriculture roads, involving a network of 26,568 kilometres.

Finally, in terms of safety, RM22.76 million has been allocated for upgrades and construction of bridges and road expansion, RM16.88 million specifically for the installation and upgrade of street lamps, while the Public Works Department’s strategic studies and new projects, including an initial study on the upgrading of Jalan Gunung Pulai will receive RM3 million in allocations and the construction of the Gelang PAtah-Pendas Bridge will receive RM5.79 million.

-- BERNAMA