SMRT Corporation, the leading public transport operator in Singapore, and Prasarana Malaysia, the government-owned public transportation company in Malaysia, have signed an agreement to work as an operator of the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS Link). The actual construction work for this cross-border project that was first announced in 2010 will commence in January 2021 and operations will begin at the end of 2026.
On Thursday, 30th July 2020, the RTS Link signing ceremony was completed and witnessed by Singapore's transport Minister, Ong Ye Kung, and Malaysia's transport minister, Wee Ka Sion. This ceremony was held at the Malaysia-Singapore border on the Causeway. After the completion of this 4-km light rail transit system, it will help to connect Woodlands, Singapore and Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, crossing the Straits of Johor.
The two transportation organizations – SMRT and Prasarana Malaysia – have formed a joint venture operating company to operate the RTS Link in their respective regions. They will set the fares for RTS passengers. The fare amount will be decided when the project nears completion. The operators will have a concession period of 30 years. Singapore's Land Transport Authority and Malaysia's Malaysia Rapid Transit System Sdn Bhd will build, manage, fund, maintain, and renew this rail infrastructure including trains, tracks, and systems.
When SMRT and Prasarana first signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the RTS Link rail system, Mr. Seah Moon Ming said:
“The RTS link will provide better connectivity to forge close people and trade links between our two countries.”
While Prasarana president and group CEO Azmi Abdul Aziz commented:
“The RTS Link will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Singapore, in addition to further enhancing our connectivity, and benefitting thousands who commute regularly between Johor Bahru and Singapore.”
Features of the RTS Link
• The RTS Link will use the Light Rail Transit (LRT) System instead of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System.
• It can carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in one direction.
• The project will cost $1.21 billion, which includes costs for land acquisition and relocation of a maintenance and operation depot to Wadi Hana, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
• The RTS Link system will be integrated with local transport networks. Singapore's RTS terminus will be at Woodlands North station, while Malaysia's RTS link station will be at Bukit Chagar.
The RTS Link system is cheaper and faster to build and operate. After it goes operational, this rail system will ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in Malaysia and Singapore. By resuming the long-pending RTS Link project, it shows that the two neighbouring nations want to generate shared economic benefits and enable better people connection.