Johor Bahru's myBAS service, to be implemented in the third quarter of this year, will provide 27 main and intermediary routes covering 16.8 million kilometers a year involving 249 buses.

To facilitate the service, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) earlier in April signed a contract with the bus carrier, Handal Indah Sdn Bhd (Handal Indah) to mark the pre-launch of myBAS.

At the signing ceremony, SPAD was represented by its Chief Operating Officer, Qamar Wan Noor, while Handal Indah by Managing Director, Lim Han Weng.

The ceremony was also witnessed by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and SPAD's Acting Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.

Mohamed Khaled said the implementation of myBAS through the SBST Programme was perfectly placed. "myBAS is a very good complement to the vibrant transport infrastructure construction throughout Johor at this time.

"The myBAS system is not new in our country. Since 2015 myBAS has been operating in several cities like Kangar, Seremban, Ipoh, and Kuala Terengganu, and we are grateful that this year Johor Bahru was chosen to be another destination for the SBST Programme," he said at the event.

Meanwhile, Mohd Isa said the Johor Bahru myBAS service involves several phases beginning from the third quarter of this year until the second quarter of next year.

He said the bus frequency would be every 20 minutes as opposed to the prior 30-minute frequency, allowing commuters in Johor Bahru and the surrounding areas to enjoy reliable and comprehensive bus services.

"A total of 249 buses comprising of 222 diesel buses and 27 electric buses will be used in Johor Bahru's myBAS service in stages. This exercise will prioritise routes with high passenger numbers, while the final phase will introduce the use of electric buses.

"Handal Indah as a network operator will handle the route and will be supported by local operators," he said.

Among the main routes include JB Sentral-Tebrau-Pandan-Taman Kempas-Permas-AEON Tebrau-Ulu Tiram-Terminal Johor Jaya-Tampoi-Terminal TUTA-Selesa Jaya.

Intermediary routes will include JB Sentral-Bakar Batu-KSL-Larkin Sentral.