JOHOR BARU: The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project connecting Johor Baru and Singapore has entered a critical testing phase ahead of its public launch, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the RTS Link and Bukit Chagar integrated immigration, customs and quarantine (ICQ) complex have reached the testing and commissioning stage.
"From the physical aspect, the ICQ complex and RTS Link station are already completed. We are now in the testing phase, which will be what the next few months are for.
"This includes system integration tests, final testing and trial runs, which are necessary before operations begin," he said when visiting the project site on Tuesday (Aug 18).
Besides inspecting construction progress, Loke rode the RTS Link as part of a test run.
He also announced that the Federal Government has approved a RM60mil link bridge project to connect the Bukit Chagar station directly to the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station at JB Sentral.
He said the project has received approval from the Economy Ministry and is expected to begin soon, with construction taking about 12 months.
He said the link would allow passengers arriving at the KTMB station on the commuter service to walk directly to the RTS Link Bukit Chagar station.
"This will make it easier for many passengers and we want to encourage RTS Link users to use public transport to get to or leave Bukit Chagar," he said.
Loke said this included buses, the Komuter Selatan service that would be introduced, as well as other public transport options such as e-hailing services.
Asked whether there would be integration with the upcoming Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit, Loke said that is a separate project, but integration will be incorporated into plans.
The RTS Link is a 4km railway shuttle link with two stations, located at Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru and Woodlands North in Singapore.
The link is designed to accommodate up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with an anticipated daily ridership of about 40,000 passengers when operations begin on Jan 1.
