Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the Cabinet had instructed the public-private partnership unit (Ukas) to call for a request for proposal (RFP) on the matter after a proposal for a multi-storey ART by the Johor government.

“This means we want to collaborate with the private sector in a public-private partnership. We aim to implement this quickly,” he said in a Berita Harian report.

He also said the ART, which has flyovers and dedicated lanes, would provide users with smoother travel.

An elevated ART system would combine bus lanes with rail tracks.

“It is the transportation system which Johor Bahru needs, and the state government also aspires to build this elevated ART system,” Loke said during a press conference in Johor Bahru.

Last April, Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government’s proposal for the elevated ART project was presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who were in favour of its implementation.

The elevated ART system is expected to be developed at a cost of nearly RM7 billion, involving 32 stations across three routes, covering a distance of more than 50km.

Johor is said to have chosen the elevated ART system due to its shorter construction time, which would allow it to complement the Rapid Transit System (RTS Link) Link project, which is scheduled to begin operating in January 2027.

Due for completion in 2026, the RTS Link is a 4km light rail transit shuttle service connecting Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru and the Woodlands North station in Singapore.

It is expected to serve up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction during peak periods.