The first phase of trials for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is expected to begin in December without the involvement of passengers, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.
He said the first train is set to arrive at Wadi Hana Depot by the middle of this month.
“In the next two weeks, the first train will be sent and taken to the depot. If we go according to schedule, many will get to see the train in motion in December during the first phase of trials.
“However, the trains won’t be open to the public yet because there are some important processes that need to be followed, including system integration and safety tests, before full operations can begin,” Bernama reported him as saying after a visit to the RTS Link project site in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, today.
Loke said structural work for the Bukit Chagar station and the immigration, customs and quarantine complex have been fully completed.
“The three key components of this project have shown positive progress, with the RTS Link depot at 90% completion, the Bukit Chagar station at 73%, and the ICQ complex at 76.8%,” he said.
According to him, the RTS Link, which will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore, is still targeted for completion by Dec 31, 2026, and fully operational in January 2027.
“This project is a massive and complex effort involving two countries. I will monitor its progress every three months to ensure all obstacles can be overcome effectively,” he said.
RTS Operations Pte Ltd CEO Ahmad Marzuki Ariffin said all systems and operational works for the RTS Link have achieved 65% progress and are on schedule.
He said that after the first train arrives at Wadi Hana Depot, three more sets of trains in Batu Gajah will be brought to the RTS depot in Johor Bahru later this month.
“Overall, the project involves eight sets of trains, each with four coaches. The project is progressing smoothly because both governments are closely coordinating and monitoring the work,” he said.
