PETALING JAYA: The Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link service is expected to open to passengers in February next year.
The Transport Ministry and the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, in a joint statement, said they have been informed by RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO).
“The revised timeline remains subject to RTSO obtaining independent safety certification for the RTS Link and securing final regulatory approvals,” it said.
Infrastructure works in both Singapore and Malaysia are substantially complete and remain on track to support passenger services upon the satisfactory completion of the remaining testing and commissioning activities.
“RTSO is also expecting to complete its final system tests and trial runs by Dec 31 and will need to obtain safety certification from an independent safety assessor.”
Both parties also noted that regulatory approvals to commence passenger operations can be granted after authorities from both countries have reviewed and are satisfied with the independent safety certification.
“RTSO has committed to completing the remaining works expeditiously and safely and to working closely with the grantors on the operationalisation of the RTS Link,” it added.
The RTS Link is a 4km railway shuttle connecting Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru and Woodlands North in Singapore with an anticipated daily ridership of about 40,000 passengers once operations begin.
According to earlier reports, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said at least 200 new buses are being considered for surrounding residential areas and to improve connectivity to Bukit Chagar.
The journey between the two stations is expected to take about five to six minutes.
A key feature of the service is its co-located immigration facilities where passengers clear both Malaysian and Singaporean immigration at their point of departure, allowing them to leave the station upon arrival without undergoing a second immigration check.
However, the RTS Link fare has yet to be announced.
