Johor bahru: The Johor State Government has proposed that the Automated Rapid Transit (ART) project should prioritize critical alignments first if it receives federal government approval. The suggestion aims to address traffic congestion issues in areas like Tebrau, which often experience high traffic volumes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh emphasized the importance of expediting the ART project to alleviate congestion, especially with the upcoming operation of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link next year. Mohamad Fazli suggested that alignments in the Tebrau area be prioritized, as it is one of the most congested parts of the state. He proposed that if an alignment spans about 20 kilometers, it could be managed as a package, allowing contractors to collaborate and accelerate the construction process.

The state government initially proposed three alignments, including Skudai and Iskandar Puteri, to the Ministry of Transport (MOT), while also considering an additional alignment in Pasir Gudang. However, the proposal for the new Pasir Gudang alignment has yet to be presented to the ministry. The state has been awaiting project approval for about a year, despite a study suggesting that the cost and construction time of the ART would be lower than the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

Mohamad Fazli expressed hope that the federal government would swiftly approve the ART project to complement the RTS Link operation. He warned that delays could lead to prolonged congestion in Johor Bahru, which is already ranked as the fourth most congested city in Malaysia. Previously, it was estimated that the LRT infrastructure in Johor would cost RM16.7 billion, compared to approximately RM7 billion for the ART.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated last December that the ART project's approval was under discussion and that implementation details would be finalized soon. Discussions have also been held between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, has also voiced concerns about potential traffic issues arising if the ART project is not implemented before the RTS Link becomes operational.