Enlivening S’pore’s north, helping shops digitalise among ideas being studied by RTS Link task force

SINGAPORE – Rejuvenating neighbourhoods in Singapore’s north and supporting businesses through promotions and digitalisation are some plans being explored by a task force helping Singaporeans and local businesses seize opportunities from the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

The group plans to finalise its findings and recommendations in the first half of 2026.

Announcing these updates at Marsiling Community Club late on Oct 29, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said these moves will spruce up neighbourhoods and shops to make their offerings more exciting.

Mr Tan, who chairs the task force set up in March, said some businesses are understandably concerned that the convenience of travelling to Johor Bahru offered by the upcoming RTS Link would affect their revenues.

While rejuvenation plans in the north are already in place, Mr Tan acknowledged the need to develop more tailored solutions that will better address the needs of residents and businesses, especially after the RTS Link starts operations.

When ready by the end of 2026, the rail link

can carry up to 10,000 people an hour in each direction

between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore.

To ensure infrastructural upgrades benefit people on a localised level, Mr Tan said getting consistent feedback from residents and businesses through engagement sessions is critical.

He said some initial ideas include changing the trade mix of a neighbourhood, more support for shops, and installing new sports and play facilities.

Some of the ongoing infrastructural improvements include upcoming Housing Board

Build-To-Order flats in Woodlands North

, which Mr Tan said will bring in new young families and customers to the area.

Other ideas raised by business owners include the introduction of automated ordering systems at coffee shops and hawker centres to drive customer traffic.

Mr Tan said the task force will consolidate the ideas gathered and evaluate them based on their viability, as well as the speed or length of time it takes to roll them out.

The task force is

studying how Singapore can tap the potential and benefits from the RTS Link

to rejuvenate the country’s heartland, and consider opportunities for businesses here with the increased connectivity offered by the rail link.

It comprises members from the Trade and Industry, National Development, Manpower and Health ministries, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, trade agency Enterprise Singapore, the HDB and Woodlands Health.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan acknowledged the need for tailored solutions to support residents and businesses after RTS Link begins.

ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

The group has so far reached out to more than 160 business owners and residents in the north through five engagement sessions, with the latest one held on the night of Oct 29.

Speaking to reporters at Marsiling Community Club on Oct 29, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Defence, as well as Sustainability and the Environment, said many business owners have raised concerns about Singaporeans crossing the border more easily to take advantage of cheaper products and services in Johor Bahru.

Mr Zaqy, an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, added that many merchants, however, are also optimistic about the new housing developments in the area and the potential business they could bring.

He cited possible improvements, such as enhanced bus connectivity across various neighbourhood centres in the north and the roll-out of new concepts for hawker centres, which could benefit groups such as office workers and tourists coming in from Malaysia.

Mr Zaqy said businesses in Marsiling and Yew Tee have recorded an estimated 30 per cent to 40 per cent drop in revenue compared with the pre-Covid-19 period.

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Zaqy Mohamad (right) said office workers and tourists coming in from Malaysia could benefit from enhanced bus connectivity.

ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Many heartland shops are already eyeing digital solutions to attract younger customers via group buys and digital orders.

Dried-goods store owner Ricky Lim, 59, told reporters in Mandarin that the RTS Link will make it even more convenient for Singaporeans to cross the border to buy groceries and daily necessities.

Mr Lim, who has been operating his store in Marsiling for four decades, said he is worried that customer footfall will drop significantly once the rail link starts operations.

Even his wife heads to Johor Bahru to shop for groceries and get her nails done every week, he added.

He said he brought up the idea of introducing digital solutions, such as robotic tray collection services, to shops in the Oct 29 engagement session, as these concepts may pique the curiosity of Singaporeans and attract customers.

Mr Lim said more parking spaces could also be introduced near the RTS Link station in Woodlands North, as many residents currently face issues finding available parking spots, affecting business for stores in the area.

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