JOHOR BARU: Daily commuters hope there will be no further delays to the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link after its commencement date was pushed to February next year.
Sales executive Louis Tan, 29, who travels between Johor Baru and Singapore daily for work, said he was disappointed he had to wait longer.
“It was initially touted to begin operations on Jan 1. Although disappointed about the revised commencement date, I am not surprised because it is a major project involving safety and security protocols,” he said.
Driver Ahmad Kamal Ali, 45, also hoped there would be no further delays, saying this could affect the image of both Malaysia and Singapore.
“My friends and I are already quite excited after seeing photos and updates of the RTS Link stations in Bukit Chagar and Woodlands North as well as other facilities posted by the Malaysian and Singaporean authorities.
“I hope there will be announcements about the ticket prices soon because that is the most crucial thing people want to know,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said the delay would inevitably disrupt the plans of those looking forward to using the RTS Link.
“Even a one-month delay would mean those commuting between Johor and Singapore have to continue enduring lengthy and tiring journeys amid traffic congestion and immigration checks.
“Some people may have planned their work, accommodation, transportation or family arrangements based on the original commencement date, and will now have to make adjustments,” he said, hoping that there would be no further delays.
Puah said he understood that passenger safety must remain the priority, but urged the relevant authorities to improve coordination and provide timely updates on the project’s progress.
He said the project was intended to provide an efficient and reliable cross-border public transport option, ease congestion at the Causeway and support Johor Baru’s economic development.
He added that the Federal Government had approved about RM5.24bil for the Malaysian infrastructure component of the project.
“The huge public investment carries with it the people’s expectations for better transportation.
“I hope the relevant authorities, while ensuring safety and quality, implement the new commencement date so that the federal investment can be translated into tangible convenience for the people as soon as possible,” he said.
In a joint statement on Oct 2, the Transport Ministry and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority said the RTS Link service was expected to commence in February 2027, subject to RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) obtaining independent safety certification and securing final regulatory approvals.
The ministries said infrastructure works in both Singapore and Malaysia were substantially complete and remained on track to support passenger service upon satisfactory completion of the remaining testing and commissioning activities.
RTSO was also expected to complete its final system tests and trial runs by Dec 31, after which it would need to obtain safety certification from an independent safety assessor.
The RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands North in Singapore and has a designed capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
