ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Iskandar Rapid Transit will increase the mobility of people in Iskandar Malaysia, the country’s first economic growth corridor, says Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

       The Johor Mentri Besar said it would become the backbone of public transportation connecting to several key areas in the region.

       He said the areas include the main transportation hubs, Johor-Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, Senai Airport, Larkin Sentral and Puteri Harbour.

       “Integrated, efficient and environment-friendly public transport infrastructure will be the catalyst to the economic development in the region,” Hasni said in a statement.

       He said that this would help increase the social-economic development of the state, uplifting the living standard of the people and attracting investors to the region.

       Hasni, who is also Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) co-chairman, said this was in tandem with Iskandar Malaysia’s vision to become a strong and sustainable metropolis of international standing by 2025.

       He said the Iskandar Rapid Transit project has identified feeder, direct and main routes that reach 2,043km or about 90% of the populated areas in Iskandar Malaysia.

       Hasni said when fully implemented, the Iskandar Rapid Transit will be able to connect 55 feeder routes and 44 direct routes with the main route covering 28 stations.

       “Public involvement is important as the Iskandar Rapid Transit project is one of the nation’s initiatives to drive recovery,” he said.

       Hasni said from the onset, Irda has continuously engaged with people in developing the Bus Rapid system through numerous sessions, surveys, exhibitions, displays as well as test rides during the recently concluded Bus Pilot Test programme.

       He added that the success of this public transport system relied on the inclusion of the people’s input and feedback.

       Hasni also announced Iskandar Rapid Transit, as the winner of the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) brand name contest for the new Bus Rapid Transit system in the region.

       The winning name, submitted by Syzalina Jasni, was one of more than 200 entries received by Irda for the contest from April to May this year.

       The Iskandar Rapid Transit Logo Design Contest is running from November to December 2021, with Iskandar Rapid Transit Bus Livery and Iskandar Rapid Transit Station Installation Contest in 2022.