Zipping across the strait: The RTS Link is expected to be completed by late 2026.
JOHOR BARU: With the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link set for completion by December next year, frequent travellers are looking forward to a smoother journey between Johor Baru and Singapore – but they hope ticket prices are affordable.
Chai Hui Choon, 46, who often visits Singapore for short holidays, said the fare should be reasonably priced to encourage ridership.
“I think RM8 to RM10 is reasonable. Anything beyond that would be too expensive for such a short ride across the border,” she said in an interview.
Chai currently prefers using the KTMB Shuttle Tebrau, which costs RM5 per trip and allows passengers to cross the border in under five minutes.
“It runs on schedule, so I can avoid traffic congestion on the Causeway or long queues at Immigration when taking the bus,” she said.
However, she noted that the tickets for the shuttle service are limited and often need to be booked weeks in advance.
She also hopes the shuttle service, introduced in 2015, would continue even after the completion of the RTS Link project to provide travellers with more options.
“The shuttle is a fun experience, especially for children who have never been on a train. It also has tourism value as visitors can experience different modes of transport,” she said.
In October 2023, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Malaysia would discuss with Singapore the possibility of continuing the Shuttle Tebrau service.
One of the conditions under the bilateral agreement was to cease the operation of the KTMB service six months after the completion of the RTS Link.
Nizam Ariffin, a Malaysian working in Singapore, said Johor Baru’s public transport system needs improvement to ease congestion and better connect suburban areas like Skudai, Iskandar Puteri and Tebrau to the city centre.
“I hope the proposed elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system can be implemented soon to complement the RTS Link,” said the 39-year-old.
He also suggested park-and-ride facilities to encourage more people to use public transport.
“Johor Baru has become more congested, especially after the pandemic. Our public transport system, particularly bus services, needs significant upgrades to remain competitive,” he said.
On Feb 26, RTS Operation Pte Ltd (RTSO) chief executive officer Dr Ahmad Marzuki Ariffin said the RTS Link fare announcement is expected to be made in 2026.
He said work on the rail system connecting Johor Baru and Singapore is now 50% complete, while the installation of trackwork – which started at Wadi Hana Depot – is progressing well with over 65% of the work completed.
RTSO, a joint venture between Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and SMRT Corporation Ltd of Singapore, is the operator of the RTS Link project.
The 4km rail system will have two stations – Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore – with a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour per direction and an expected daily ridership of about 40,000.
