Malaysia considers interim bus, rail services to ease Causeway congestion
The Malaysian authorities are exploring ways to mitigate the impact of recent toll hikes and heavy traffic at the Causeway. This includes the possibility of introducing cross-border train services.
This comes as Malaysia and Singapore move closer to finalising details about a high-speed rail project linking Kuala Lumpur to the city-state.
Mr Mohd Nur Ismal Mohd Kamal, CEO of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission, said: "At one time, it was late night, and the queue from CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex) was backed up all the way to Johor town. This is not a situation that we should subject our people to.
"We are looking at providing more public transport options for people who are crossing the Causeway, looking at increasing bus services, we are even talking to KTM about the possibility of providing regional commuter services between Johor Bahru and Woodlands."
Any train service, however, would be temporary - this would last until the rapid transit system hoped to link up Johor Bahru with Singapore's MRT system is up and running. Details of the interim services are still being worked out, as are plans for another cross-border train service - a high-speed rail connecting Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
"We are looking at reaching a bilateral agreement by the third quarter of next year," said Mr Mohd Nur Ismal. "Only after that can the tendering process happen and it may take anywhere between six months to a year to conclude the tendering process. Only after that construction can happen."
Malaysian authorities said there are still challenges ahead, but the chairman of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission, Mr Syed Hamid Albar, is encouraged by the progress made so far. "For the first time, I think there is a political will, there is a lot of excitement, not only on the Malaysia side but more excitement on the Singapore side too," he said.
