Road transport the focus at Iskandar

14 October 2009 , By Sim Bak Heng, New Straits Times

THE Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) is focusing on road transport development, especially bus services, which forms part of the 32 development blueprints of the southern growth corridor.

Its chief executive officer Harun Johari said road transport was an important component of the integrated public transport master plan which covered air, rail and sea transport.

He said the bus service master plan would be ready by the end of the year.

"We will have buses of international standing as well as more bus routes and services.

"This is to live up to the expectation of a metropolis.

"Currently, our bus service is not quite adequate and this is one area we are focusing on."

Harun said this after the launch of the second Iskandar Malaysia Open Day to be held this year at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor Baru last Sunday.

The function was launched by state Housing, Local Government, Works and Public Amenities Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Zahri Jamil.

Under the security blueprint, a total of 2,000 closed-circuit cameras will be installed in Iskandar Malaysia under the Ninth Malaysian Plan so as to enhance security and regain public confidence in the growth region.

Harun said the 2,000 closed-circuit cameras did not include those that would be installed by the private sector, especially in housing estates.

He said the blueprints were guidelines for Iskandar Malaysia's policies, strategies and standards on urban planning, land use, environment, infrastructure, transport and utilities.

"The blueprints which are being implemented are important for setting the standards in Iskandar Malaysia to ensure that only the best practices are applied in the region."

Up to last month, Harun said Iskandar Malaysia had secured a committed cumulative investment of RM49.07 billion, which had already exceeded the 2010 target.

He said 32 per cent of the committed investments had been spent on infrastructure works.