RTS Link on track for year end completion – law to simplify joint border control to be tabled in Parliament

The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project is running smoothly and is on track for completion by the end of this year. Transport minister Anthony Loke says that most of the physical infrastructure works have been completed and the project is now in the RTS system installation phase.

“The stations, in the aspect of the building and structure, it’s finished. Now we are installing the systems before system tests, without which ot can’t operate. So in these few months, a lot of testing will be done. The train is being tested on the track in Johor Bahru. We hope it goes smooth and can be finished in December, and open for operations in January 2027,” Loke said.

He added that the drafting of the new law to simplify joint border control operations for the RTS Link will be tabled in the next session of parliament – this is important before it can operate.

“Without the law, we can’t have co-location customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ), which will allow Singapore immigration to be at Bukit Chagar station (in JB) and Malaysia immigration at Woodlands North (in Singapore). This is a cooperation of two countries and understanding is vital to ensure the effectiveness of RTS Link,” he said, reported by Bernama.

The Seremban MP added that the Bukit Chagar integrated development can implement the model seen in Central, Hong Kong, where all buildings in the area are connected via a pedestrian walkway. It also needs to be integrated with the current JB Sentral, which is around 300 metres away. JB Sentral is the hub for KTM trains and buses.