Gemas-JB ETS Needs Better Access To Curb City Traffic - Expert

With the new Gemas-Johor Bahru Electric Train Service (ETS) now in operation, experts are calling on the Johor state government to improve access to Kempas Baru and JB Sentral stations to avoid worsening city congestion.

Prof Dr Muhammad Zaly Shah, president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia, told The Star that the success of the ETS depends heavily on the first-mile experience and how easy it is for commuters to reach the stations. 

“If getting to the station is difficult or slow, people will just drive instead,” he said.

Immediate steps should include upgrading pedestrian walkways and lighting, installing clear signage, and aligning feeder bus schedules with train departures and arrivals. 

“If buses are reliable and frequent, commuters will see them as a real alternative to driving, reducing the need for parking,” Zaly Shah added.

He also suggested dedicated station shuttles, better traffic management during peak hours, and targeted road improvements around Kempas Baru and the city center to ease bottlenecks without massive infrastructure projects.

Park-and-ride options were highlighted as a practical solution. 

“Kempas Baru has more available land for parking, while JB Sentral would benefit from satellite parking outside the congested core. High-frequency shuttles from these lots would reduce the number of cars entering the city,” he explained.

Looking at the bigger picture, Zaly Shah emphasized that the ETS should be the backbone of Johor’s future mobility network. Other transport initiatives, like micro-mobility lanes, pedestrian upgrades, and proposed E-ART projects, should connect seamlessly to the stations. 

"Transit-oriented development around Kempas could transform the area into a walkable, mixed-use district, reducing dependence on cars and preventing additional congestion

“The key is integration. If we align long-term transport and urban planning with the ETS, the train can actually relieve pressure on Johor’s roads rather than add to it,” he concluded.