PETALING JAYA: More routes within Johor Baru and its surrounding areas will now be connected via the latest Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme with operations set to begin soon.

       In a Facebook post on Sunday (Feb 20), Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the service was launched together with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad during a ceremony in Johor Baru.

       “The SBST programme in Johor is a three-year long commitment worth RM150mil by the Federal Government that is aimed at boosting the quality of stage bus services in Johor Baru and surrounding areas such as the Kota Tinggi, Masai, Kulai, Gelang Patah and Pontian corridors.

       “There will be 19 routes totalling 1,052km within these corridors which makes the SBST a better choice of transport for an estimated 6.4 million passengers annually,” said Dr Wee.

       Dr Wee added that the service was equipped with both cash and cashless payment methods while transport frequencies would span between 20 and 30 minutes during peak hours and 30 and 60 minutes during off-peak hours.

       A total of 128 vehicles will also be involved in the programme.

       “We are also proud to announce that of the 128 vehicles, eight electric buses will be introduced through a pilot programme on two routes of the SBST,” he said.

       Dr Wee also expressed his gratitude to the Johor government, Iskandar Regional Development Authority and the Johor Public Transport Corporation for their close cooperation with the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) for making the programme a reality.