JOHOR BAHRU, 8 October 2026 : Johor Bahru's public transportation landscape is entering a new phase of transformation as the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) announced the expansion of BAS.MY Johor Bahru services, reinforcing the Government's commitment to delivering a more accessible, efficient and sustainable public transport network.

The announcement, made during the launch of the BAS.MY Johor Bahru service expansion, marks another important milestone in strengthening urban mobility, improving public transport connectivity and preparing the city for the anticipated commencement of the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

Since its introduction under the Stage Bus Services Transformation (SBST) programme in 2022, BAS.MY Johor Bahru has demonstrated encouraging growth, reflecting increasing public confidence in reliable and affordable bus transportation.

Monthly passenger journeys increased from approximately 450,000 in December 2022 to 1.06 million in December 2025, before reaching a record 1.28 million journeys in January 2026.

Today, the BAS.MY Johor Bahru network operates approximately 16 million kilometres annually, serving an average of nearly one million passenger journeys every month.

These achievements highlight the growing importance of public bus transportation in supporting the daily mobility needs of Johor Bahru residents, commuters, students and visitors.

More importantly, they demonstrate how consistent improvements in service frequency, network accessibility and operational reliability can encourage greater adoption of public transportation as an alternative to private vehicles.

Expanding the Network for 2027–2031

A key highlight of the announcement was the Government's decision to extend the SBST Johor Bahru programme for another five years, covering the period from 2027 to 2031.

The next phase will focus on expanding service coverage, increasing bus capacity and improving frequencies along major corridors to accommodate growing passenger demand.

Under the expansion programme, key routes are targeted to operate at intervals of approximately 15 to 20 minutes, while feeder services are expected to maintain frequencies of 20 to 30 minutes.

Service coverage is also planned to extend into emerging residential, commercial and high-demand areas, including Terminal Tiram, Johor Jaya, Eco Tropics, Mall of Medini and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

With these improvements, annual passenger journeys are targeted to reach approximately 14.99 million.

The expansion represents more than an increase in bus services. It is part of a broader effort to make public transportation a more practical, dependable and convenient choice for everyday travel.

Preparing Johor Bahru for the RTS Link Era

One of the most significant aspects of the BAS.MY expansion is its strategic role in supporting the upcoming RTS Link connecting Johor Bahru and Singapore.

With approximately 40,000 daily RTS Link passengers projected for 2027, the need for an efficient and interconnected public transportation network has become increasingly important.

The BAS.MY Johor Bahru expansion is expected to support passenger distribution from major transit hubs, particularly around Bukit Chagar and JB Sentral, while improving first-mile and last-mile connectivity.

This integrated approach will help commuters continue their journeys beyond the RTS Link station and reach residential areas, commercial centres, educational institutions and other destinations across Johor Bahru.

The broader mobility strategy also includes improvements to rail services, Demand Responsive Transit (DRT), shuttle buses and complementary transport solutions.

At the state level, PAJ is also undertaking various initiatives to strengthen traffic management and connectivity, including Park & Ride facilities, feeder bus services, public transport priority lanes, contraflow arrangements, smart traffic lights and infrastructure improvements along major corridors.

Together, these initiatives are intended to create a more coordinated and seamless transport ecosystem capable of supporting Johor Bahru's continued urban and economic development.

Strengthening Collaboration for Better Public Transport

The BAS.MY Johor Bahru expansion reflects the importance of strong collaboration among the Ministry of Transport, the Johor State Government, APAD, PAJ, local authorities and public transport operators.

As Johor Bahru continues to grow as a major economic and cross-border transportation hub, an integrated approach to public transport planning and service delivery will be essential.

Beyond infrastructure and fleet expansion, the success of the programme will depend on consistent service delivery, effective operational coordination and the ability to respond to evolving passenger expectations.

The continued participation of transport operators, frontline employees and bus drivers will remain equally important in ensuring that improvements translate into meaningful benefits for the travelling public.

Moving Towards a More Connected and Sustainable Johor Bahru

The expansion of BAS.MY Johor Bahru signals a positive step towards building a more inclusive, efficient and resilient public transport system.

As the city prepares for the RTS Link and its next phase of development, the focus is increasingly shifting towards an integrated mobility experience in which buses, rail services and other transport solutions complement one another.

For the people of Johor Bahru, these improvements are expected to translate into better connectivity, shorter waiting times, more convenient journeys and greater access to employment, education and economic opportunities.

With sustained government commitment, stronger industry collaboration and continued investment in service improvements, BAS.MY Johor Bahru is well-positioned to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of public transportation in southern Malaysia.

The next chapter of Johor Bahru's mobility transformation is not simply about introducing more buses or expanding routes. It is about connecting people, communities and opportunities through a public transport system designed for the future.

The event was attended by Johor State Executive Councillor for Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications, YB Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, alongside senior representatives from the Ministry of Transport, including the Secretary-General of MOT, the Director-General of the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), the Chief Executive Officer of Perbadanan Pengangkutan Awam Johor (PAJ), Chief Executive Officer of HI Mobility, and the Founder of Handal Indah Sdn Bhd.