Universiti Sains Malaysia’s transport engineering lecturer, Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, said while the 4km Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link might ease cross-border transportation congestion, a solid public transport network was needed in Johor.
He said this was important because it would complement the cross-border transport network and make daily commutes across the border more seamless.
“We need to build local networks (in Johor), either through a lower hierarchy rail system like a monorail, bus rapid transit, or any form of bus service to connect people and to provide the first and last mile connection,” he told FMT.
“The RTS is a good start, but I think we have to go beyond that because the area covered is relatively small, so it will not serve the majority of the population that needs to commute from Johor Bahru to Singapore.”
Last month, Singapore doubled its tax rate on property sold to foreigners to 60%, despite the republic’s soaring rental rates.
However, some property experts told FMT Business the anticipated surge in demand for property in Johor, especially in the high-end segment, had yet to materialise.
Farhan said people, including foreigners, preferred buying properties near transportation hubs or centres.
“For example, in the Klang Valley, developers use the fact that properties are in close proximity to LRT and MRT stations in their advertisements; so access to transportation has an added value,” he said.
Cross-border transportation is still key
Transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said cross-border transportation still needed to be made available so that people were incentivised to reside in Johor while working in Singapore.
Since the RTS Link would not be operational until 2026, Wan Agyl said, a shuttle bus service could, in the meantime, be implemented to serve the needs of those who commute back and forth from Singapore to Johor Bahru.
“Perhaps we should also explore the need to have a priority lane for such a shuttle bus service so they don’t get stuck in the traffic, especially at the border,” he said.