JOHOR BARU: Free shuttle bus services will be provided to reduce congestion at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said a task force has been set up by the state government to look into the issue of congestion in the area.

“After receiving information about the congestion at the BSI recently, I have set up a task force to identify the problem and look into solutions,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said he chaired a task force on Thursday (April 21), adding that the location of the problem has been identified in a discussion with the agencies involved.

“Following the meeting, it has been decided that the state government will provide free shuttle buses so that people can head towards BSI without having to go through the congestion at the pedestrian path between Johor Baru Sentral and BSI,” he said.

He said the shuttle buses would be available from Friday (April 22) until April 30.

“The buses will pick up passengers at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak (City Square) and at Jalan Jim Quee before dropping them off at the BSI every 10 minutes,” said Onn Hafiz.

“The frequency would be increased during peak hours such as weekends and public holidays,” he added.

He said that the problem is at the pedestrian path between Johor Baru Sentral and BSI due to upgrading works for an escalator that is expected to be completed in the middle of June.

Onn Hafiz said that a lift that was broken has also been fixed.

“Another factor contributing to the congestion is the limited bus services at the BSI as operators would only be operating normally in May.

“They need more time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The state government takes this matter seriously and will take immediate action to solve it,” he said.

“I will share more on the matter from time to time,” he added.