ISKANDAR PUTERI: The government has given the green light for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to continue with its planned implementation in the Iskandar Malaysia growth corridor in southern Johor.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) chief executive, Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said the first phase of the transport system was expected to be operational by 2020.
He said the BRT system's alignment could likely be determined by late next year, and the public transport network may cover about 90 per cent of the southern Johor growth corridor.
"Our intention is to ensure the BRT is implemented before 2020. We received a mandate to continue developing the project , and to offer the proposal to any party which is interested in the investment," said Ismail after a briefing with press bureau chiefs and reporters, here today.
The BRT is a transit system that utilises dedicated bus lanes, universal access stations, integrated pedestrian access, rapid boarding and high service frequency aspects.
Ismail said the cost of the BRT here would be five to 10 times less than a Mass Rapid Transit system or monorail.
He said the BRT system here was based on some of the best existing models being used in Brisbane in Australia and other cities in Europe and the Asia Pacific.