KLUANG: Malaysians using the KTMB Shuttle Tebrau between Johor and Singapore may soon be able to enjoy the train service at a flat rate of RM5 each way, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said currently, the price for a one-way ticket from Johor Baru to Woodlands, Singapore is RM5 while the ticket for the opposite direction is S$5 (RM17.30).
“KTMB has proposed to change the pricing structure of the tickets for our citizens as currently the price is different for a ticket from Johor to Singapore and a ticket from Singapore to Johor.
“It was proposed that we set a single price of RM5 each way for our citizens.
“I welcome the suggestion and will discuss the matter with the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad). We hope that it can be done by early next year,” he told a press conference after the Johor DAP convention yesterday.
Asked if the government had discussed with Singapore about continuing the shuttle service after the completion of the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project, he said there was still time for that.
“That will be done later as there are still three years until the completion of the RTS Link. For now, we will focus on improving the service first,” he said.
On Oct 26, Loke told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia will discuss with Singapore to allow the KTMB Shuttle Tebrau train service to continue even after the completion of the RTS Link project.
He said that under the previous bilateral agreement between the two countries, one of the agreed-upon conditions was to stop the operation of the KTMB Shuttle Tebrau service six months after the completion of the RTS Link project.
On a separate matter, Loke said his ministry supports the Johor government’s hopes to expedite the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project and LRT transport system in Johor Baru.
“We have no issues supporting it, but the implementation is not easy.
“The HSR is part of the government’s plan, but the funding must come from the private sector. We are now waiting for proposals.
“As for the LRT, it needs to be planned out thoroughly first, and the cost and technical aspects need to be looked into. Further discussion will be held between the federal and state governments,” he said.
