Johor Bahru: The Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) will soon issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) Project in Johor Bahru, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He mentioned that this initiative follows the presentation of the elevated ART construction plan by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to the Cabinet in December last year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Cabinet had instructed UKAS under the Prime Minister's Department to issue an RFP for the project. Loke emphasized the plan to collaborate with the private sector through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concept, aiming for swift implementation. The RFP will be evaluated, and a decision will be made once the process is completed.
Loke elaborated that the elevated ART project, involving the construction of flyovers and dedicated lanes, is a transportation system that can be implemented more quickly and easily. He highlighted that the elevated ART offers the flexibility to serve as a combined route for buses, unlike the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, which is limited to a single system. The elevated ART is deemed suitable for Johor Bahru's transportation needs due to its shorter construction timeline compared to the LRT.
Previously, the Johor government proposed the elevated ART to address traffic congestion in the city center. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stated that the proposal had received consent from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
Reports indicate that the elevated ART system will be developed at a cost of nearly RM7 billion, featuring 32 stations across three lines covering over 50 kilometers. Johor's decision to opt for the elevated ART system was influenced by its shorter construction timeline, enabling it to support the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link), which is set to commence operations in January 2027. The RTS link is a four-kilometer cross-border rail project connecting Bukit Chagar Station with Woodlands North Station in Singapore.