Cross-border RTS Link construction on track at 65% completion

JOHOR BARU: Construction of the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) connecting Johor and Singapore is progressing smoothly, with the project reaching about 65% overall completion, according to its operator.

The information was shared with the media during Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s visit to the Bukit Chagar station construction site on Monday (Nov 3).

He said the RTS Link has three key components – the rail depot, the Bukit Chagar station and the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) complex – each showing strong progress.

“The link’s depot has reached 91% completion, the Bukit Chagar station is at 73%, while the ICQ complex has achieved 76.8%,” he told reporters after a briefing on the project.

Loke, who also toured each level of the building, said the structural works for the station and ICQ building have been completed, with work now advancing to system installation and passenger facilities.

“Passengers boarding from Bukit Chagar will move through multiple levels, ticketing on level one, Malaysian immigration and customs checks on level two, followed by Singapore immigration clearances on level three before reaching the boarding platform at the same level,” he said.

He added that track installation has also been completed and that the first RTS Link trains are expected to arrive at the Wadi Hana depot in the middle of this month.

Despite the technical complexity and cross-border coordination required, Loke said the project remains on schedule for completion by Dec 31, 2026, ahead of the January 2027 launch.

“There are many challenges, but mitigation measures are in place. We have 14 critical months ahead and I will monitor this closely, including visiting every three months,” he said.

Meanwhile, RTS Link operator, RTS Operations Pte Ltd chief executive officer Dr Ahmad Marzuki Ariffin said system works and operational preparations are about 65% completed.

“Our next milestone, as mentioned by the minister, is the arrival of the trains in Johor this month,” he said, adding that the link will operate with eight four-car train sets when fully commissioned.

He also said trial runs are expected to begin in July next year, once all integration tests are completed.