JOHOR BARU: The Johor Baru district is set to become a public transportation hub following the implementation of the Stage Bus System Transformation (SBST) known as MyBas.

       Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad said the SBST will complement other public transportation projects in the state such as Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) that connects Bukit Chagar here with Woodlands in Singapore as well as the Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double Track project.

       “The SBST will complement the bus service network covering three major cities in the district – Johor Baru, Iskandar Puteri and Pasir Gudang. These three cities will have a public transportation which features a good and up-to-date system, with punctuality of service and wider coverage area,” he said in his speech before launching the SBST with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong here yesterday.

       Dr Wee said the government, through the Finance Ministry, has allocated RM150mil to carry out the SBST for three years in its effort to improve stage bus services in Johor.

       The SBST, he said, will benefit about 6.4 million passengers annually in the state.

       “This programme is proven because it has been implemented in Kangar, Ipoh, Seremban and Kuala Terengganu to help the people and it is a more dynamic system to strengthen land public transportation.

       “The implementation of the system in the state will involve 19 routes in five corridors, namely Kota Tinggi, Masai, Kulai, Gelang Patah and Pontian involving a route of 1,052km,” he added.

       Dr Wee said SBST service fares are affordable and passengers have the option to either pay by cash or make a cashless payment when boarding the buses.