IMBRT: How it works

Centred at Johor Bahru, the entire RM2.56 billion Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) consists of trunk, direct and feeder bus rapid transit corridors.

It will provide 55 feeder and 44 direct services, bringing the total network coverage to 2,051 km or approximately 90% of the populated area of Iskandar Malaysia.

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Whilst the IMBRT’s main trunk line has a span of 54.92 km across Skudai, Tebrau, and Iskandar Puteri, it will consist of 33 stations, with one hub in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) on the Skudai Line.

The main trunk line will also have two end stations — one in Desa Jaya on the Tebrau Line and the other in Anjung on the Iskandar Puteri Line.

KGV International Property Consultants (Johor) Sdn Bhd executive director Samuel Tan says the public is expected to save between 30% and 35% on their monthly transportation fares with IMBRT.

Employment and business growth are other expected benefits. With better connectivity, the local gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase by an additional 1% with some 35,000 new direct and indirect jobs created. 

First and last mile connectivity

To address the first and last mile connectivity, both direct and feeder services will be provided to ensure the entire transportation system is seamlessly connected.

Direct service refers to point-to-point with limited stops to minimise bus transfers. Pick-up and drop-off points will be at highly populated areas such as shopping malls, hospitals, UTC and transportation hubs with park-and-ride facilities.

Feeder bus services are targeted for areas within a 5km radius from the trunk line BRT stations, to connect residential and employment centres to the BRT Stations using existing roads and bus stops.

Meanwhile, IMBRT will also reduce carbon footprint, helping to improve a greener environment as the government encourages the usage of electric buses and electric tram (for intra-city routes).

The construction of the busway and stations for the Iskandar Puteri Line will commence in Dec 2021. This will be followed by the Skudai Line in April 2022 and the Tebrau Line in July 2022. Completion and operation of each line is about two years thereafter. By the first quarter of 2023, the public will be seeing the Iskandar Puteri Line commence operation.

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my E-weekly on April 2, 2021. You can access back issues here.

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