Johor Bahru Transportation Plan

[$jimbo$]

Originally Posted by allurban

A Malaysian MRT cross-border MRT/LRT would not be necessary.

The proposed Commuter Selatan will be the Iskandar-JB 'MRT' for at least the next 20 years - and it will be extended into Singapore to Woodlands using the shuttle trains, while the Singapore MRT will be extended into Malaysia, to JB Sentral.

Parallel crossings will allow convenient movement of passengers on a much larger scale than a single crossing.

Those passengers who need direct access to the Singapore MRT (especially to Changi Airport) can use the MRT from JB Sentral. Those who need access to Singapore but not necessarily to the MRT can use the comuter shuttle.

Passengers who prefer a more convenient option can opt to use cross-border taxis, while those who want the cheapest option can use the cross-border buses - which will probably continue to operate though not in as great a capacity.

Cheers, m

Thanks for the clarifications. What is "shuttle trains"? I assume this is a train, so how does it connect to SG (Woodlands)? Has this approved by SG govt?

Msia or Iskandar Johor can have their ambitious plans about the train connectivity within their region though it will take donkeys years to materialize, but that's still within their power. But if it (connectivity) crosses the border, it will be a different story.

[allurban]

Originally Posted by $jimbo$

Thanks for the clarifications. What is "shuttle trains"? I assume this is a train, so how does it connect to SG (Woodlands)? Has this approved by SG govt?

Msia or Iskandar Johor can have their ambitious plans about the train connectivity within their region though it will take donkeys years to materialize, but that's still within their power. But if it (connectivity) crosses the border, it will be a different story.

A shuttle train is an "extra" train service that supplements existing trains.

"Shuttle" trains are limited-stop train services serving small segments of a rail line during periods when the full "through" train service is not available.

For example, currently in addition to the 3 regular intercity train services, there are extra train services offered that just link JB Sentral to Woodlands in Singapore. There was also a shuttle train from Singapore to Woodlands, JB & Danga Bay Mall.

In future, the shuttle trains may service another station, Kempas Sentral.

You are correct that cross-border connectivity is a challenge - but Singapore and Malaysia have agreed that, while KTM intercity services will be trimmed back to Woodlands by July 2011, they will maintain and improve rail links at the border itself.

I believe that this will take on two forms:

First, KTM intercity trains being trimmed back to JB Sentral in future, while shuttle train services will be increased but only between JB Sentral and Woodlands.

Second, the MRT link - but it is literally "up in the air" right now as the existing & predicted demand may be satisfied with the shuttle trains.

The agreement does not specify "MRT", but just states that a cross-border rail link will be maintained and upgraded as necessary. I expect that the Singapore government would prefer to only have shuttle trains (originating at JB Sentral) crossing the border to Woodlands.

Another factor is that extending the MRT to JB is an increased expense for Singapore that may not be financially viable given the presence of bus services, taxi services and the shuttle trains.

Cheers, m

[$jimbo$]

Originally Posted by allurban

A shuttle train is an "extra" train service that supplements existing trains.

"Shuttle" trains are limited-stop train services serving small segments of a rail line during periods when the full "through" train service is not available.

For example, currently in addition to the 3 regular intercity train services, there are extra train services offered that just link JB Sentral to Woodlands in Singapore. There was also a shuttle train from Singapore to Woodlands, JB & Danga Bay Mall.

In future, the shuttle trains may service another station, Kempas Sentral.

You are correct that cross-border connectivity is a challenge - but Singapore and Malaysia have agreed that, while KTM intercity services will be trimmed back to Woodlands by July 2011, they will maintain and improve rail links at the border itself.

I believe that this will take on two forms:

First, KTM intercity trains being trimmed back to JB Sentral in future, while shuttle train services will be increased but only between JB Sentral and Woodlands.

Second, the MRT link - but it is literally "up in the air" right now as the existing & predicted demand may be satisfied with the shuttle trains.

The agreement does not specify "MRT", but just states that a cross-border rail link will be maintained and upgraded as necessary. I expect that the Singapore government would prefer to only have shuttle trains (originating at JB Sentral) crossing the border to Woodlands.

Another factor is that extending the MRT to JB is an increased expense for Singapore that may not be financially viable given the presence of bus services, taxi services and the shuttle trains.

Cheers, m

Very well written and sensible post I concur with most of your points

In short, "shuttle train" is the existing KTM connecting Msia and SG/Woodlands. At the moment, it doesn't really serve the daily commuters between two borders. To better serve the cross border commuters, it (KTM) has to integrate with the SG MRT and future JB MRT/LRT at JB CIQ.

Let's say one commuter from SG wants to go Iskandar, he has to take MRT and alight at Woodlands checkpoint, then take KTM to JB CIQ/Central, then take local train (MRT/LRT/Monorail/etc) to Iskandar Johor...

Hmm.....

[ideal jb]

Maybe i've miss the latest news about having a new Causeway... So, i can presume that the connectivity of the rail will be on existing Causeway rather than a new one which allows water to flow through underneath the bridge.

[nazrey]

Malaysia Steel, KUB get nod for rail project
Published: 2011/04/19
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd and its partner KUB Malaysia Bhd have won approval from the Johor state government and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority to build and operate a rail transit network, according to a company statement.

Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd, their joint venture, will build the intra-city commuter train network in the Iskandar region, Malaysia Steel Works said in a statement late yesterday. -- Bloomberg

[allurban]

Originally Posted by $jimbo$

Very well written and sensible post I concur with most of your points

In short, "shuttle train" is the existing KTM connecting Msia and SG/Woodlands. At the moment, it doesn't really serve the daily commuters between two borders. To better serve the cross border commuters, it (KTM) has to integrate with the SG MRT and future JB MRT/LRT at JB CIQ.

Let's say one commuter from SG wants to go Iskandar, he has to take MRT and alight at Woodlands checkpoint, then take KTM to JB CIQ/Central, then take local train (MRT/LRT/Monorail/etc) to Iskandar Johor...

Hmm.....

Ideally it would only be a two seat trip either way ...

From Singapore, take the MRT across the border to JB Sentral, then board the commuter train to Kempas.

From Malaysia, take the train from Kempas to Woodlands, then board the MRT from there.

The main challenge will be deciding how much service is allowed across the border and deciding where customs clearances will take place.

In one way rail is a lot easier to manage than buses - meaning that they can do restricted clearances at the border itself or at an earlier site.

Cheers, m

[$jimbo$]

Originally Posted by allurban

Ideally it would only be a two seat trip either way ...

From Singapore, take the MRT across the border to JB Sentral, then board the commuter train to Kempas.

From Malaysia, take the train from Kempas to Woodlands, then board the MRT from there.

The main challenge will be deciding how much service is allowed across the border and deciding where customs clearances will take place.

In one way rail is a lot easier to manage than buses - meaning that they can do restricted clearances at the border itself or at an earlier site.

Cheers, m

There is still a missing puzzle here: currently, there is no MRT from Woodlands to the SG custom... many of the daily commuters still have to alight at Woodlands MRT and take shuttle bus to SG custom... so how?

[allurban]

Originally Posted by $jimbo$

There is still a missing puzzle here: currently, there is no MRT from Woodlands to the SG custom... many of the daily commuters still have to alight at Woodlands MRT and take shuttle bus to SG custom... so how?

Well, that's the reason why there is demand for an MRT link in the long run - In other words, Singapore has to "do its part" to make the rail connection easier.

We will see either a spur line from Woodlands station to Woodlands Checkpoint, or an extension of the Thompson Line that serves Woodlands Checkpoint and JB Sentral.

Cheers, m

[$jimbo$]

Originally Posted by allurban

Well, that's the reason why there is demand for an MRT link in the long run - In other words, Singapore has to "do its part" to make the rail connection easier.

We will see either a spur line from Woodlands station to Woodlands Checkpoint, or an extension of the Thompson Line that serves Woodlands Checkpoint and JB Sentral.

Cheers, m

That missing puzzle will be a big challenge coz we are at their mercy for the cross border connectivity... Anyway, big thanks coz I learned a lot from U

[asd5139]

Originally Posted by $jimbo$

There is still a missing puzzle here: currently, there is no MRT from Woodlands to the SG custom... many of the daily commuters still have to alight at Woodlands MRT and take shuttle bus to SG custom... so how?

Besides that.. there are also commuters who align at the Kranji Station and take either SMRT/SBS or the yellow bus to the woodland checkpoints...

there is other one problem, mostly malaysian who take the causeway/yellow bus from the woodland checkpoint after clearing up custom&immigration to any MRT station in Singapore.. i mean.. the queue is extremely long during peak hour compare to singaporean who uses SMRT/SBS...

[$jimbo$]

Originally Posted by asd5139

Besides that.. there are also commuters who align at the Kranji Station and take either SMRT/SBS or the yellow bus to the woodland checkpoints...

there is other one problem, mostly malaysian who take the causeway/yellow bus from the woodland checkpoint after clearing up custom&immigration to any MRT station in Singapore.. i mean.. the queue is extremely long during peak hour compare to singaporean who uses SMRT/SBS...

Agree with U... if this missing puzzle is not solved, whatever the ambitious plans (shuttle train, LRT, MRT, BRT, etc...) is less worthy And it's not in the hands of Iskandar/Johor/Msia authority...

[nazrey]

JB Sentral platform
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanditasr/5552446330/
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nandita...n/photostream/

[lohxy]

I wonder is it another oven.........

[asd5139]

Originally Posted by lohxy

I wonder is it another oven.........

i would say, it is a lot better than KL sentral..

[goBetong]

Re Allurban's suggestion of "shuttle train" plying between JB Sentral and Woodland. This option is certainly logically.

While pondering on it, a question which flagged out is this :- why ain't KTM run more "shuttle trains" between JB>Woodland>JB NOW???

The passenger load is already there, just take a look at the jam-pack SBS or Causeway Link buses. Everyone I talked too would take the train IF ONLY KTM train can be on schedule, more predictable and reliable. It's not today and is consider an option of last resort.

If KTM do a shuttle trip on every 1/2 hr and in view of the passenger load, KTM possibly is sitting on a GOLD MINE. It then would enough profit to fund the locomotive repair which is so desparately need to keep the Klang valley commuter service up to expectation.

Anyone has the answer?

[nazrey]

Govt yet to finalise ICCT project for Iskandar
By ZAZALI MUSA Monday May 2, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...4&sec=business

JOHOR BARU: The Government has yet to finalise the proposed intra-city commuter train (ICCT) project for Iskandar Malaysia as the proposal is still open to others.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, who is also Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) co-chairman said that to date, only one company has submitted its proposal to develop the project.

“It is still open to everybody and we welcome others who are interested to submit their proposals to us,'' he said in a press conference on Saturday before a briefing on progress at Iskandar Malaysia.

Abdul Ghani said, Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd (MCN) had recently submitted its proposal to the Government to develop the rail network covering 100km to serve all the major suburbs in Iskandar Malaysia.

MCN is a joint-venture company between KUB Malaysia Bhd and Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Sdn Bhd and it had proposed to construct and operate the RM1.23bil train transit network.

The ICCT is expected to start operations by 2013, with total deployment of 19 three-car trains.

Under the MCN's proposal, it would build seven new stations along the route together with 16 halts and the train network to include a shuttle service from JB Sentral to Woodlands in Singapore.

He said the ICCT system would use the existing KTM railway track connecting Johor Baru, Kulai, Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Pelepas.

Abdul Ghani said the ICCT network would be part of the integrated transport system covering 500km in Iskandar Malaysia which include bus rapid transit and other transportation support systems.

“The proposed extension of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) from Singapore to Johor Baru will require the implementation of the double-tracking railway from Gemas to Johor Baru,'' he said.

He said squatters living along the railway track in Johor Baru had agreed to be relocated temporarily to Kempas for the double-tracking railway project, while squatters in Gemas, Segamat and Kluang would be offered to buy houses or lands.

Abdul Ghani said that with the relocation of the railway station from Tanjung Pagar to Woodlands by July 1, 2011, Kempas Baru would be developed into an integrated transportation hub for Iskandar Malaysia.

“We could either choose JB Sentral or Kempas Baru for the hub, but the latter is obviously the right choice as it has 80.93ha land area for development,'' he said.

On unrelated matters, Abdul Ghani said the recent episode of malpractices committed by former senior officials of Iskandar Investment Bhd which made news headlines would not affect investment flow to Iskandar Malaysia.

He said business was usual at Iskandar Malaysia and the episode was unlikely to deter potential investors from investing in the economic growth corridor.

[PlanetNova]

omg. I hope they are not making the same mistake of getting micky mousey trains for this area where population increases substantially.

[nazrey]

Higher chance for RTS link to Kempas
Tuesday May 17, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...sec=southneast

JOHOR BARU: There are higher chances of linking the Rapid Transit System (RTS) in Johor Baru to the main station in Kempas as land are available there said Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

He added that the RTS that would begin or end in Johor Baru would link up with the main station either in JB Sentral or Kempas.

However, it the JB Sentral is unlikely to house the RTS as there is no space for the purpose he said.

Abdul Ghani commented on this at a briefing on the Iskandar Malaysia progress.

The event was organised by Danga Bay Sdn Bhd, the custodian of a privatisation contract awarded by the Johor government in early 2000 to develop 1,800 acres of waterfront land along Johor’s Lido Beach.

The RTS is a joint effort between Malaysia and Singapore under the Points of Agreement (POA) to improve accessibility between Johor and Singapore.

Other joint efforts under the POA was the joint venture between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Ltd to develop an iconic wellness township in Iskandar Malaysia.

Ghani said work on the wellness township project at a waterfront area in Danga Bay, Iskandar Malaysia, is likely to start this year.

Among others, the wellness township will offer medical services, holistic wellness services and facilities and alternative medical treatment.

Ghani said the POA referred to matters other than the agreement signed in 1990 on the development of KTM Bhd land in Singapore and the relocation of the railway station from Tanjung Pagar to Woodlands by July this year.

On the proposed Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) link between Singapore and Johor, Ghani said the Thomson Line in Singapore, which is likely to complete in 2018, would have a station facing Johor.

“Therefore, the link is RTS Johor and Singapore that interfaces with MRT in the island.

“At the moment, we have to implement the double tracking from Gemas to Johor Baharu. The Transport Ministry has issued letters for squatters to be relocated,” he said.

Ghani said the possible development in the future is how to enhance communications between Malaysia and Singapore due to huge movement of people.

He said that 60,000 to 70,000 people are moving into Singapore, therefore it was crucial to have a good RTS under the POA to link and connect the two countries.

On another matter, Ghani said projects on the ground are now being implemented or completed and even new proposed projects would still proceed despite what happened in the Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB).

The IIB board on April 4 lodged a police report against its former senior managers after a probe revealed fiduciary lapses. – Bernama.

[nazrey]

Tanjong pagar railway station to relocate on July 1
Posted on May 18, 2011, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=131151

SINGAPORE: Come July 1, the railway station in Tanjong Pagar will be relocated to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (WTCP).

In this regard, the Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Timah railway stations will cease all operations on that date, Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement.

ICA said with the closure of the Tanjong Pagar station, all arrival and departure trains would terminate and start at WTCP.

All passengers travelling to Malaysia by train will need to board their train at the train checkpoint in Woodlands.

Passengers arriving from Malaysia will alight from the train at the WTCP, which will be the terminating Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station in Singapore. – Bernama

KTM train station at Tanjung Pagar Singapore.
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtemujin/3127611124/
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piratepixels/5379827879/

[dengilo]

Ironic after all these years Lee Kuan Yew is the member of parliament for that area!This is a farewell gift for himlahIts sad that there is no longer a train service from the peninsular direct to the CBS area of temasek.Not even cargo trains to the respective ports there!They rather see all the trucks take up the extra lanes at the causeway at any given time.