Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP) aims to develop a well-planned, efficient transport system that supports economic growth and enhances urban mobility for Iskandar Puteri, the administrative capital of the state of Johor, Malaysia.  With rapid urbanisation and a high volume of daily cross-border commuters to Singapore, the city requires a strategic, data-driven approach to improve transport connectivity, accessibility and sustainability.

Our team partnered with the state council to develop an integrated, sustainable public transport blueprint – the first of its kind in Malaysia.  Bringing expertise in transport, urban planning and conceptual traffic engineering design, we created a strategic framework to improve the city’s connectivity and mobility, including transport network design, bus priority measures and transport infrastructure.

A well-connected transport system will improve the city’s economic opportunities, social inclusion, livability, and will benefit and strengthen cross-border connectivity with Singapore. Our action plan prioritises safe, affordable, and reliable mobility, making it easier for residents and commuters to access jobs, education, healthcare and daily activities. It will make connections to Johor-Singapore special economic zone (JS-SEZ) easier, deepening cross-country economic ties and business growth in the region.

Using big data to shape transport strategy

To develop a well-informed transport strategy, we combined big data analytics with local context, focusing on three key elements: the spatial distribution of the urban landscape, the transport network and population movement.

Using third-party navigational origin/destination data, we analysed recent and historical mobility patterns across various formats and categories. This approach helped us to identify key activity centres that serve as focal points for our network planning, analysing existing bus routes, and examining peak congestion periods and movement patterns. Our plan optimises public transport services to meet actual demand, enhancing connectivity and efficiency across the city.

Passengers sitting on a bus travelling through city streets
VIDEO: Learn more about the Public Transport Facility Action Plan and how we are working with MBIP to design a safe, reliable and sustainable public transport system.

Planning tailored, impactful transport solutions

We customised our plan with over 40 priority projects, categorised into short, medium, and long-term initiatives under eight strategic focus areas. These are built up from the global benchmarking of best-practice public transport systems, our extensive local and international expertise, combined with a comprehensive review of Iskandar Puteri’s existing conditions.

We undertook a threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) analysis to provide a strategic foundation for the transport plan.  Our structured, data-driven approach has seen good progress – many initiatives are already in the negotiation phase, transitioning the transport plan from strategy to reality.

Including diverse voices in the planning process

We engaged with government officials, technical experts, community representatives and students to ensure an inclusive, well-rounded approach. This involved regular progress meetings, technical committee discussions, broader stakeholder consultations and student workshops to gather diverse perspectives. These engagements provided crucial insights to design a transport system that is equitable, accessible, and responsive to all users, including families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.