However another consultant says an MRT system (which provides for greater capacity) would be more convenient as passengers would not need to change trains to use Singapore’s transit system.
Speaking to FMT, transport consultant Goh Bok Yen said an MRT system would not make financial sense for Malaysia, as there is no MRT network in Johor and there was insufficient demand.
“If you build an MRT in JB now, you will have empty trains,” he said.
Last Monday, the Singapore government announced that the signing of an agreement for a rapid transit system had been postponed to next April at Malaysia’s request.
The RTS will connect Bukit Chagar, Johor, with Woodlands, Singapore.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said an LRT was proposed instead of an MRT because it would be cheaper.
Goh said an MRT made more sense for Singapore, “because from Woodlands you can connect to the entire MRT network. But for us it would not be financially feasible.”
However, which type of transit system chosen was less important than ensuring fast immigration clearance.
“Having single immigration and Customs clearance is the best way to reduce travelling time. This is what takes people hours to get across.”
At border crossings between Hong Kong and China, he noted, facial recognition and vehicle scanners are used to ensure a smooth flow.
“I don’t feel Malaysia and Singapore have cooperated as well as they can when it comes to border crossings,” he said. “If we can improve on this, and we can build two more bridges, I think we can always have smooth traffic between the two countries.”
Another transport consultant, Rosli Azad Khan, said Malaysia should have stuck to the original idea of using an MRT.
“This would have ensured a seamless journey for travellers,” he said. “If we use different systems, it will inconvenience them. They would have to get down from the LRT with their baggage and get on the MRT and vice-versa.”
He said the key consideration in deciding on a transit system should be the convenience of travellers, not cost.
“When you take the Channel Tunnel to travel from England to France, you use the same train system. You don’t get off one type of train in England and switch to another in France.”