JOHOR BAHRU – The traffic situation in Johor Bahru has not changed much, despite multiple assurances from the state and federal governments that the issue would be addressed.
In fact, JB residents and travellers are seeing worsening congestion, with roads in the city such as Jalan Stulang Laut and Jalan Tebrau affected by a bottleneck caused by traffic coming from the town area and the Causeway.
State works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the state government’s proposals include setting up a task force.
“Apart from high-impact projects such as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track project, the development of new industrial areas such as Sedenak in Kulai has contributed to the worsening congestion in Johor Bahru,” he said.
According to Mr Mohamad Fazli, during a state executive council meeting about two weeks ago, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi had proposed setting up a task force to look into the congestion problem, especially in areas with major infrastructure projects.
“Currently, we have a task force at the state level that focuses on addressing the congestion problem at the Causeway and Second Link, but we are now considering another task force for other areas around Johor Bahru,” said Mr Mohamad Fazli. He met Transport Minister Anthony Loke on Tuesday to discuss the proposed task force involving the federal and state governments.
“We proposed that the task force be jointly chaired by the Menteri Besar and the Transport Minister. We will also rope in other relevant ministries and departments, such as the Works Ministry and the local government,” Mr Mohamad Fazli said.
“Loke said he will look into the proposal, including its scope, to ensure it does not overlap with other existing agencies.”
Johor Bahru Business and Hawker Association president Roland Lim, who owns a coffee shop in town, said the congestion has affected the livelihoods of many.
“The ongoing construction of the RTS Link is taking up a significant portion of the road, and this has made the congestion worse, especially during holidays,” he said.
“People are now opting to not come to town and this has affected many businesses in the area, including mine. On top of that, there are irresponsible motorists who still park illegally by the roadside, and this has further worsened the situation.”
Entrepreneur Engku Puteri Irna Maisara Ungku Mokhsin, 33, said congestion in the town has expanded to other areas such as the Stulang Laut neighbourhood, where she lives.
“People are using alternative roads to avoid the congestion in town and this has worsened the traffic situation in other areas,” she said.
She said the heavy traffic meant that she needed an hour to transport her daughter to school in Jalan Yahya Awal, even though the school is only about 5km from her home.
Besides the RTS Link project, construction works in other areas, such as near the R&F Mall, also contribute to the bottleneck, she said.
“Although there are traffic police at times, they don’t seem to be able to manage the congestion,” she commented, adding that the situation became worse during holidays in Singapore because of the larger number of vehicles entering JB.
Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said the Tebrau road has been significantly affected by the congestion spilling over from the town area, and added that association members have had to “really monitor the traffic situation in Johor Bahru these days to avoid wasting time”.
“Apart from the ongoing construction, the lack of parking in town is also contributing to the congestion as motorists have to make a few rounds around town before they can find a parking spot,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
