JOHOR BAHRU: Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld Malaysia) launched its shuttle bus service at Eco Botanic, its maiden project in Iskandar Malaysia, today.

The EcoWorld Shuttle Service is fully-owned and operated by EcoWorld Malaysia for the benefit of residents and the surrounding communities with three key factors in mind – convenience, connectivity and safety.

President & CEO of EcoWorld Malaysia Dato’ Chang Khim Wah said that the Group is delighted to be able to offer not only products that enhance lifestyles but value creation for customers as well.

“Eco Botanic is EcoWorld’s first project in Iskandar Malaysia. Launched in 2013, we are proud to see how the township has grown five years on, fulfilling our promise to purchasers in terms of connectivity, amenities and more.”

Strategically located in the heart of Iskandar Puteri, Zone B in Iskandar Malaysia and directly neighbouring EduCity, the 270-acre Eco Botanic is a premium gated & guarded township featuring cluster, semi-dees and bungalow homes.

Accessible from all major highways such as the Coastal Highway, Pasir Gudang Highway and the Second Link Highway, travelling to and from Eco Botanic is effortless and is therefore able to expand its catchment area to include Singapore and Johor Bahru.

Based on Eco Botanic’s location, Chang said the shuttle service initiative will be a boon for Eco Botanic City, the commercial precinct of the township and its surrounding areas and will definitely enhance the township’s connectivity.

Chang added that for a new township like Eco Botanic, the initiative provides strategic accessibility to key locations for the convenience of residents as the shuttle service’s proposed routes include stops to nearby supermarkets/hypermarkets, EduCity and the Gelang Patah bus interchange.

The service will run seven days a week, 365 days a year. The bus is equipped with two CCTV cameras and a GPS tracker to ensure security of riders, and has a capacity of 30 passengers (19 seated and 11 standing).

The shuttle service is expected to start running in March and is accessible to all residents of Eco Botanic for free. Members of the public can also use the shuttle service. All they need to do is obtain a rider pass at the Eco Botanic City Gallery by presenting an expenditure receipt from Eco Boulevard.

Chang added: “We will be implementing the shuttle service in other EcoWorld developments as well, as it serves as an affirmation of our mission in creating world-class eco living in all our developments.

“This is in addition to the oBike station-less smart bike-sharing system that we have already implemented in our developments which has gained a lot of interest and has helped to promote a healthy lifestyle and culture in our communities,” he said.

Other green initiatives implemented by the Group in its developments include dedicated green areas and bicycle lanes and walkways. In Eco Botanic itself, over 14% of the development has been designated as green zones with sustainable landscape design planning which emphasises on reintroducing and propagating indigenous trees and plants to create more shades and provide habitats for animals in a harmonious ecosystem. The trees were also transplanted from its original forest with a 95% survival rate and are able to act as carbon sinks and produce more oxygen.

Chief Executive of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Datuk Ismail Ibrahim applauded the developer’s initiative to lower carbon footprint. Speaking at the launch, Ismail said: “A Low Carbon Society is a society where people live a simple but high-quality lifestyle, emphasising family and community ties, in harmony with nature, with minimum emission of CO2. The launch of the EcoWorld Shuttle Service is timely indeed and very much in line with the Low Carbon Society Blueprint which includes low carbon living,” he added.

On the same day, EcoWorld also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (Newcastle University) for a collaboration to provide quality accommodation to students of the university, at the developers Eco Nest serviced apartments.

Eco Nest is the Green Mark certified serviced apartment component in the 270-acre Eco Botanic township which offers full-fledge condominium facilities that include an indoor badminton court, gym, swimming pool, gourmet kitchen and sky garden.

Located in the heart of Iskandar Puteri, Eco Nest is a convenient location not only for Newcastle University but EduCity as a whole with its growing community.

Eco Nest is also purposefully and strategically situated in Eco Botanic’s commercial centre and surrounded by Eco Boulevard which consists of shop offices & Eco Galleria which is the high-street mall. “All these components coming together will not only benefit the residents but the commercial owners as well and is truly a holistic living environment for all,” Chang added.

Eco Nest offers units in various built-ups starting from 582 sq ft and prices from RM550,000 as well as duplex units that are 1,238 sq ft and priced at RM1,069,000 onwards.