Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit

The Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) was a bus rapid transit system to be built in and around Iskandar Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia. It was to have consisted of trunk, direct, and feeder bus rapid transit corridors.[1][2][3][4] The project was cancelled in 2024 due to insufficient capacity to handle projected traffic.[5]

Iskandar Rapid Transit
 BRT 
Overview
Native nameTransit Aliran Bas Iskandar Malaysia (Malay)
LocaleIskandar Malaysia - Johor Bahru District, Kulai District, and Pontian District (South)
Transit typeBus rapid transit
Number of lines72 (3 trunk, 26 direct, and 42 feeder BRT route)
Websitehttps://imbrt.com.my
Operation
Operation will startShelved
Operator(s) 111  Handal Indah (Causeway Link)
 227  Maju
 007  S&S International
 168  Transit Link (City Bus)
Number of vehiclesArticulated 18m ( Trunk route), 12m bus (Direct route) and 8m bus (Feeder route)
Technical
System length51 km (32 mi) First Phase
System map

Proposed trunk route corridors
Skudai corridor
UTM Hub
Sri Putri
MBIP
Tun Aminah
Bukit Mewah
Dato' Penggawa Barat
Kampung Pasir
Skudai Kanan
Tun Abdul Razak corridor
Taman Tasek
Tun Fatimah
Larkin
Iskandar Puteri
corridor
Kebun Teh
Medini Hub
Saujana
Horizon Hill
Wadi Hassan
Bukit Indah
Johor Bahru CBD corridor
Perling
Wong Ah Fook North
Baiduri
Wong Ah Fook South
Sungai Danga
Lot 1 Waterfront
Skudai Kiri
MBJB
Pantai Lido
corridor
Tun Sri Lanang
Meldrum
JB Sentral  ETS 
Tebrau corridor
Bukit Chagar  RTS 
Depoh Polis
Sri Tebrau
Sentosa
Kem Majidee
Kampung Setanggi
Stulang Baru
Kampung Melayu Majidee
Kampung Pandan
Pusat Bandar
Mount Austin
Tebrau City
Desa Jaya Hub

The Brisbane BRT will be a bus rapid transit model for the development based on the feasibility study to be implemented in Iskandar Malaysia.[6]

History

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As the population of Iskandar Malaysia was expected to grow double in 2025 from 1.5 million people when it was established in 2006, IMBRT was proposed to cater the transportation needs for the residents in the area.[7] This led to the first conceptualization of the project in 2009 that aimed to combine the speed and reliability of the light rail transit (LRT) with the affordability of a conventional bus system. The concept aimed to use high-capacity buses shuttling along the dedicated bus lanes on three main routes connecting Johor Bahru to industries and residential areas in Tebrau, universities and small and medium-sized enterprises in Skudai and new growth areas in Nusajaya. The buses will be air-conditioned with Wi-Fi on board that run on clean energy at regular intervals, cutting waiting and travelling times for commuters while reducing pollution and traffic jams.[8]

Project launch

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Late March 2016, the IMBRT project received a green light from the government and expected to take off on 2017. The project was set to be done in three phases with the first phase scheduled to complete in 2021. Once completed, the BRT system was expected cover almost 90% of Iskandar Malaysia, up from the then 39% coverage.[9][8]

On 7 October 2017, the project was launched by the then Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak at the Progressive Johor Expo in Kota Iskandar. The BRT system was set to be developed at a cost of RM2.56 billion that would be funded by the Federal government for RM1 billion while the remaining funds would be financed through public-private partnership initiative. The system was said to have the elements of light rail transit or metro that would make it quicker than regular bus services. The prime minister ensured that the BRT system would be linked to the Rapid Transit System (RTS), the High Speed Rail (HSR) and intercity bus service. The project was then expected to be operational by 2021 and have a route spanning 51 km and 39 stations.[1]

Progress

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The public inspection for the project was started in November 2017 to get the feedback from the public and continued to 2018 along with development planning, land acquisitions and stations design to focus throughout the year. The routes were later updated to span over 300 km, of which 50 km were trunk routes while the rest would be feeder routes. The construction work was set to start on the first quarter on 2021 while the completion date for the first phase was push back to end of 2021.[7]

Upon the change of government due to 2018 general election, the new Pakatan Harapan state government confirmed that they are still committed to continuing the project and be given due priority by the Federal government with Johor Bahru-Kota Iskandar to be first route considered for implementation.[10] As of Mar 2021, the construction was again pushed back to the first quarter 2022 with the service to start on 2023.[8]

As the vehicle of the project arrived in January 2021, the bus pilot testing programme of the system set to be launched on 8 April 2021. They will pass by Horizon Hills and Anjung in Medini.[11]

As of September 2023, "Package 1" of the BRT route on the Sultan Iskandar Highway (Iskandar Puteri corridor) is supposed to begin construction in November 2023, and the other package in late 2023/early 2024, and the first phase is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2025 with 22 stations.[12]

However, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, the chairman of the Johor state works, transportation, infrastructure, and communications committee, announced in May 2024 that the government had cancelled the IRT/IMBRT project after eight years of planning because it was "unable to overcome traffic congestion, interferes with the efficiency of the bus service and affects traffic flow." Additionally, he stated that it was then determined that, in order to determine which form of public transportation would be best for Iskandar Malaysia, a feasibility and viability study comparing the bus rapid transit, autonomous rapid transit (ART), and light rail transit (LRT) systems should be conducted. Two consortiums submitted their respective LRT and ART proposals to the secretary-general of the Ministry of Economy, and the Johor government endorsed the idea for an elevated ART in Johor Bahru to replace the defunct IMBRT project (after considering the now under-construction of RTS Link train line, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026).[13]

IMBRT Pilot Testing Programme

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A three -month pilot testing program was launched on April 8, 2021, in Medini, Iskandar Puteri. As a pilot test, nine bus suppliers were involved in demonstrations of the use of the latest green bus technology that uses electricity or biodiesel. The buses tested ranged in size from 6 meters to 32 meters, and the actual test was held along the route in Iskandar Puteri corridor.[14]

Bi-articulated bus for trunk services

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ART on pilot testing programme between Medini Hub to Horizon Hill in April 2021.

In January 2021, a LiDAR guided bi-articulated bus for IMBRT arrived in Johor from China.[15] The guided buses that will be used for this project is an Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) type that was imported by Mobilus Sdn Bhd, a 51:49 joint venture company established between Eccaz Sdn. Bhd. and CRRC Urban Traffic Co Ltd, a member of CRRC Group. Malaysia will be the first country in the region to potentially adopt this technology.[11]

The ART is a multi-carriages that is equipped with sensors that read the painted tracks marking on the road, enabling it to automatically navigate its own route while travelling up to 70 km per hour and carrying more than 100 passengers per carriages. The capacity of an ART vehicle is expandable to up to five carriages. It is considered as a medium capacity transit system for urban passenger transport using leading edge technology and allows for higher passenger capacity at a lower cost of implementation when compared to traditional light rail systems. During the pilot test, the guided bus used stored energy on electricity to operates. This is to find out the vehicle sustainability to suit on the hot and humid conditions of Malaysian weather.[11]

Single-deck bus for direct and feeder services

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A total of 5 single deck buses have participated in this program where 4 buses use electricity while only 1 Scania K250UB bus uses biodiesel. The electric bus models involved are Putra-NEDO EV, Edison Motors New e-FIBIRD, Skywell NJL6101EV and CRRC CSR6105GLEV1-1.[16]

Route

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Trunks Service corridors

For the first phase of IMBRT, The Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) has allocated solar-powered 22 stations on the three BRT lines, comprising 10 stations on Tebrau Line,8 stations on Skudai Line and 4 stations on Iskandar Puteri Line respectively

Trunks service corridors

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Corridor Origin – Destination[17] Proposed Halt Current Operational Bus Route
  Tebrau Larkin - JB Sentral - Tebrau City Larkin, Kebun Teh, Saujana, Wadi Hasan, KOMTAR, JB Sentral, Sungai Segget, MBJB, Tun Sri Lanang, Wong Ah Fook Selatan, Wong Ah Fook Utara, Wadi Hana, Depot Polis, Sri Tebrau, Taman Abad, Sentosa, Taman Melodies, Taman Suria, Stulang Baru, Kampung Bendahara, Kampung Melayu Majidee, Taman Sri Pandan, Kampung Pandan, Taman Redang, Pusat Bandar Pandan & Tebrau City.  T10   T11   T13 
  Skudai JB Sentral - Sri Putri JB Sentral, Sungai Segget, MBJB, Taman Istana, Lido Boulevard, Sri Gelam, Straits View South, Straits View, Bukit Serene, Danga Bay Park, Iskandar Malaysia, UDA, Skudai Kanan, Pengkalan Rinting, Kampung Pasir, Pekan Rabu, TD Penggawa Barat, Bukit Mewah, Danga Utama, Tun Aminah, Tun Aminah 2, MBJBT & Sri Putri.  T30   T31   T32 
  Iskandar Puteri JB Sentral - Medini JB Sentral, Sungai Segget, MBJB, Taman Istana, Lido Boulevard, Sri Gelam, Strais View South, Straits View, Bukit Serene, Danga Bay Park, Iskandar Malaysia, Skudai Kiri, Sungai Danga, D'Utama, Baiduri, Perling, Bukit Indah, International Resort, Theme Park, Sungai Melayu, Kota Iskandar, Legoland, Medini & Ledang.  T33   T40 

Direct service

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No. Origin – Destination[17] Length (km)
1 Bukit Indah – JB 42.93
2 Kota IskandarPerlingBandar Baru UDA 47.06
3 Gelang PatahLarkinPermas Jaya Hub 68.2
4 Medini - Larkin – Permas Jaya 51.77
5 Taman UniversitiMutiara Rini 51.8
6 UTM – Taman Universiti – Medini 54.37
7 UTM Station – Taman Ungku Tun Aminah – Medini 37.95
8 Taman Ungku Tun Aminah - Lima Kedai – Medini 49.11
9 Senai Airport – Bukit Indah – Medini 70.4
10 Kulai – Skudai – Larkin 60.37
11 PulaiKempas Sentral 42.86
12 Taman Ungku Tun Aminah – TampoiJohor Jaya 63.79
13 Kempas Baru – HAS – JB 33.3
14 Setia Indah – Kempas Baru – Larkin – JB 41.83
15 Kempas Sentral – Medini 55.6
16 Impian Jaya – Kempas Sentral – Larkin Sentral 36.49
17 Terminal Johor Jaya – Permas 38.72
18 Puteri WangsaTebrau – Larkin – JB 47.63
19 Desa CemerlangStulang 47.14
20 Setia Indah – Kebun TehLarkin Sentral 34.89
21 Ulu Tiram – Tebrau – Larkin Sentral 40.53
22 Tebrau City – Tampoi – Kempas Sentral 37.24
23 MasaiSeri Alam – Permas Jaya 58.88
24 Kota MasaiPasir Gudang – JB 68.45
25 Pasir Gudang Terminal – Kempas Sentral 53.96
26 Seri Alam – Permas – Larkin Sentral 36.37

Feeder service

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Origin – Destination[17] Length (km)
1 Danga Bay – Saujana – JB 23.81
2 Kg Pasir Station – Bandar Baru Uda – Larkin – Abad – Pelangi – JB 34.08
3 Larkin Sentral – Kg Amin – JB 16.98
4 Pulai Indah – Nusa Perintis – Medini 76.21
5 Pekan Nenas – Gelang Patah – Medini 63.34
6 Kg Maju Jaya – Desa Idaman – Econsave – Senai Airport 27.02
7 Taman Aman – Senai New Village 8.72
8 Ulu Tiram – Senai 46.96
9 Kg Kangkar – Sg Tiram – Ulu Tiram Terminal 32.46
10 Kong Kong – Taman Cendana – Pasir Gudang Terminal 30.28
11 KSAB CIQ – Medini South – Puteri Harbour 42.81
12 PendasTanjung Pelepas – Medini 57.31
13 Pinewood – Medini – Gelang Patah 29.38
14 Medini South – Medini – Sg Melayu 35.23
15 Bukit Indah – Nusa Idaman – Horizon Hills – Medini 26.84
16 Perling Station – Taman Dato’ Penggawa Barat 14.41
17 Taman Universiti 14.89
18 Skudai Baru – Taman Ungku Tun Aminah – Taman Orkid 15.72
19 Penggawa Barat – Dahlia – Desa Rahmat – Kg Pasir Station 11.95
20 Danga Sutera – Selesa Jaya 16.3
21 Kempas – Impian Emas – UTM Terminal 36.83
22 Pulai Ria – Taman Teratai – Sri Pulai – Taman Universiti 19.65
23 Kempas – Taman Johor – Bukit Mewah Station 18.26
24 Taman Suria – Kg Melayu Majidee – Larkin 15.78
25 JPO – Bandar Putera 19
26 Kulai Jaya Terminal – Taman Putri Pulai 11.46
27 Taman Majidee – Taman Melodies – Taman Sentosa – Sri Tebrau – Pelangi Station 21.84
28 Setia Indah – Austin Height – Bandar Dato' Onn – Setia Indah 17.36
29 PPR Sri Stulang – Sentosa 10.82
30 KDSM – Majidee Baru – Kg Bendahara 5.98
31 Bestari Indah – Desa Cemerlang – Desa Jaya Hub 18.79
32 Johor Jaya – Taman Gaya – Desa Jaya Hub 21.37
33 Johor Jaya – Taman Molek – Pandan Station 20.83
34 UNIKL – UITM – Jalan Gunung – Seri Alam Terminal 14.28
35 Flora Height – Cendana – Kg Pasir Gudang Baru – Pasir Gudang Terminal 22.04
36 Permas – Senibong 21.5
37 Seri Alam – Nusa Damai – Pasir Gudang Terminal 19.6
38 PPR Desa Rakyat – Taman Scientex – Taman Cendana – Pasir Gudang – Masai 22.86
39 Kg Pasir Putih – Taman Air Biru – Pasir Gudang – Masai 20.72
40 Kota Masai – Taman Pasir Putih – Pasir Gudang 26.6
41 Pasir Gudang Terminal – Perigi Acheh – Tanjung Langsat 32.75
42 Seri Alam Terminal – Taman Rinting – Megah Ria 14.44

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bus Rapid Transit to serve as Iskandar Malaysia public transportation backbone". www.nst.com.my. 7 October 2017.
  2. ^ "柔快捷巴士料2021年運行" (in Chinese). Oriental Daily News (Malaysia).
  3. ^ "依斯干达快捷巴士系统汇报会.千辆巴士川行新山市区.BTS2021年投入运作" (in Simplified Chinese). Sin Chew Daily. 18 January 2018.
  4. ^ "SunCon, WCT potential candidates in Johor RM2.6b bus rapid transit project - Business News - The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my.
  5. ^ "Iskandar Malaysia transit bus can't tackle traffic, shelved".
  6. ^ "Iskandar bus rapid transit system modelled after Brisbane's BRT - Business News - The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my.
  7. ^ a b "First phase of Iskandar Malaysia BRT to be ready by 2021". The Star. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Johor's RM2.56 bil Bus Rapid Transit to take off in 2022". Free Malaysia Today. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Iskandar Malaysia BRT system gets the green light". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Johor committed to continuing Iskandar Malaysia BRT project". The Edge Markets. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "Mobilus welcomes arrival of first automated rapid transit system into Iskandar Malaysia". The Edge Markets. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  12. ^ Tamrin, Shahrim (15 September 2023). "Hot wheels: Johor Baru's BRT ready to go by 2025". The Vibes Malaysia.
  13. ^ "Iskandar Malaysia transit bus can't tackle traffic, shelved". The Star. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  14. ^ https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/04/09/johor-commences-brt-pilot-testing/ Johor commences BRT pilot testing
  15. ^ https://iskandarputeri.com/autonomous-rapid-transit-art-the-first-art-system-in-asean-is-now-arrived-in-iskandar-malaysia/ Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) – The First ART System in ASEAN is Now Arrived in Iskandar Malaysia!
  16. ^ https://landtransportguru.net/imbrt-pilot-testing-programme/ IMBRT Pilot Testing Programme
  17. ^ a b c "Feeder & Direct Routes - IMBRT". 24 January 2018.
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