DESPITE being a key active player in the marine construction industry, JBB Builders (M) Sdn Bhd is branching out of its comfort zone to participate in on-land projects like the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) project in partnership with Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, since Gemilang Coachwork is one to specialise in technical services including bus-related IT infrastructure, operating control and information centre, fare collection system, etc., it should be a walk in the park to take on such a massive project with the support of the Johor state government.
The IMBRT is a strategic national initiative to develop a reliable and convenient bus transit system to improve accessibility and enhance the quality of life of the communities in Iskandar Malaysia.
It is the first comprehensive state-level implementation of a BRT system in the country and will serve as the backbone of the public transportation infrastructure in Iskandar Malaysia.
The project is expected to increase the use of public transportation in Iskandar Malaysia from 15% currently to 40% in 2025. According to the state government’s target, about 90% of Iskandar Malaysia would be covered with a public transportation system by 2025, from the existing 39%.
Johor has started a three-month pilot testing for the IMBRT system using electric and biodiesel-based green technology buses from nine local and international bus suppliers, and the project is expected to be fully completed within the next two years.
JBB Builders and Gemilang Coachwork had showcased their fully-electric bus prototype for the IMBRT at the launch of the IMBRT pilot test event.
Three out of six buses that were presented at the IMBRT launching uses Gemilang Coachwork’s main product, which is the full aluminium bus body system.
This paved the way for two Johor companies to strut their capabilities on the road with the prototype which consists of Gemilang Coachwork’s aluminium bus body superstructure and Zhejiang CRRC Electric Vehicle Co Ltd’s fully-electric powertrain.
