JB-Singapore RTS Link expected to be ready by 2026

The highly anticipated Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is making significant progress, with 41% of Malaysia’s portion of the project already completed by June 2023.

The RTS Link, connecting Johor Bahru’s Bukit Chagar station to Singapore’s Woodlands North station, is designed to alleviate traffic congestion on the Johor Causeway, catering to around 10,000 commuters per hour in both directions.

With its completion, the project is expected to attract over 120,000 daily commuters, benefiting cross-border travelers.

Progress and projections for RTS Link completion

Johor Works, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, expressed confidence during a recent press conference that the project is well on track for its planned opening in 2026.

He emphasized that the depot, station, and marine viaduct components of the RTS Link have all made “good progress” and remain “on schedule.”

The RTS Link, once operational, will link Johor Bahru’s Bukit Chagar station to Singapore’s Woodlands North station, significantly improving cross-border transportation between the two countries.

With the capacity to transport approximately 10,000 passengers per hour in either direction, the RTS Link aims to alleviate the traffic congestion frequently experienced at the Johor Causeway.

The project is expected to have a positive impact on the daily commute for over 120,000 travelers, accounting for 35% of the reported 350,000 daily commuters traveling between Johor Bahru and Singapore. This enhanced transportation infrastructure is set to ease the movement of people, goods, and services, fostering economic growth and strengthening cross-border ties.

Timeline of RTS Link Project

The idea of a Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link connecting Singapore and Johor Bahru was first announced in May 2010, following discussions between Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Initially slated for operations in 2018, the project faced delays due to Malaysia requesting multiple deadline extensions. In 2019, the project was suspended for six months, citing cost as the primary reason.

By then, Tun Mahathir Mohamad had assumed leadership in Malaysia, and the RTS Link construction was resumed on 30 October 2019, with a revised project cost of RM3.16 billion (S$1.03 billion), marking a 36% decrease from the original cost proposal.

Further suspensions were requested by Malaysia from November 2019 to May 2020, citing reasons such as proposed project changes, government transitions, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July 2020, Malaysia and Singapore officially relaunched the RTS Link, and construction promptly followed suit. Testing and commissioning are scheduled to commence in 2025, with an expected opening date by the end of 2026.

The estimated total cost of the RTS Link project is RM10 billion (S$2.91 billion), with Malaysia shouldering 39% of the cost, and Singapore covering the remaining 61%. This joint effort aims to enhance cross-border connectivity, improve travel efficiency, and bolster economic development for both nations.

As the RTS Link nears its full completion, anticipation grows for the positive impact it will have on cross-border travel and regional development, ushering in a new era of enhanced connectivity between Johor Bahru and Singapore.