e-ART to drive connectivity in JB

The Federal Government’s approval of the e-ART system in Johor Baru has the potential to revolutionise transportation, drive urban growth and boost economy.

Transport and urban planning experts said the project, which would serve key corridors linking Skudai, Tebrau and Iskandar Puteri to Bukit Chagar, was set to become the backbone of the city’s future public transportation ecosystem if implemented effectively.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Urban and Regional Planning Department senior lecturer Dr Safizahanin Mokhtar said the e-ART system was one of the most significant urban infrastructure decisions in Johor Baru’s transportation history.

She said the project, involving 32 stations across three main corridors, would provide the city with a long-awaited mobility spine capable of supporting more organised land use, economic activity and higher-density development.

“The e-ART with the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, is expected to change how people move around while creating new economic hubs in Johor Baru,” she said.

According to her, the project could help reduce congestion along major corridors into the city centre and Causeway. This is particularly so once the RTS begins carrying up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

“Without a high-capacity feeder network such as the e-ART, Johor Baru could face severe traffic congestion once the RTS starts operations,” she said.

However, she said the project’s ability to ease congestion largely depended on commuters’ willingness to switch from private vehicles to public transport. She said this required reliable services, competitive travel times and strong first-and-last-mile connectivity linking residential and employment areas to stations.

Winning over motorists could prove one of the project’s greatest challenges, given Johor Baru’s long-standing dependence on private vehicles, Safizahanin said adding that it was important to rebuild public confidence through the successful delivery of the project.

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Industry Centre of Excellence for Railway (ICoE-Rail) principle researcher Assoc Prof Dr Nor Aziati Abdul Hamid said e-ART was a suitable medium-capacity urban transit solution.

She said the system was particularly relevant due to its dense urban setting, cross-border movement with Singapore and rapidly growing population. She said seamless integration with the RTS Link at Bukit Chagar was key to the project’s success.

“If successfully implemented, Johor Baru’s e-ART system could become a national reference point for smart and sustainable urban mobility.”

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2026/06/09/e-art-to-drive-connectivity-in-jb