JOHOR BARU: A former Johor assemblyman has called on the authorities to consider a second Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) to connect Iskandar Puteri and Singapore.
Ex-Skudai representative Dr Boo Cheng Hau said a second RTS Link should be prioritised over the proposed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.
He said a second RTS Link would be less costly or time-consuming, which could enhance Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) connectivity and stimulate its growth more effectively.
“This (second RTS Link) will bring a smoother and efficient flow of traffic between (Johor and Singapore),” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 5).
Dr Boo, who is also a former state DAP chief, said there is an urgent need to prioritise the proposed Light Rail System in Johor, connecting the Bukit Chagar RTS station to various parts of the JS-SEZ.
He added that this was to meet the expected demand and disperse the larger number of commuters in a short time, especially during peak hours, at one of the busiest land border crossings in the world.
Dr Boo said the HSR project, on the other hand, had been cancelled unilaterally by Malaysia twice, and more time and effort would be needed to convince the general public and Singapore to commit to the mega project.
Slated to be completed by December next year, the RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar to Woodlands North in a five-minute train journey.
With a peak capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the RTS Link aims to improve cross-border connectivity and foster stronger Malaysia-Singapore relations.
