‘No more RTS Link delays, please’

Meanwhile, Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said the delay would inevitably disrupt the plans of those looking forward to using the RTS Link.

“Even a one-month delay would mean those commuting between Johor and Singapore have to continue enduring lengthy and tiring journeys amid traffic congestion and immigration checks.

“Some people may have planned their work, accommodation, transportation or family arrangements based on the original commencement date, and will now have to make adjustments,” he said, hoping that there would be no further delays.

Puah said he understood that passenger safety must remain the priority, but urged the relevant authorities to improve coordination and provide timely updates on the project’s progress.

He said the project was intended to provide an efficient and reliable cross-border public transport option, ease congestion at the Causeway and support Johor Baru’s economic development.

He added that the Federal Government had approved about RM5.24bil for the Malaysian infrastructure component of the project.

“The huge public investment carries with it the people’s expectations for better transportation.

“I hope the relevant authorities, while ensuring safety and quality, implement the new commencement date so that the federal investment can be translated into tangible convenience for the ­people as soon as possible,” he said.

In a joint statement on Oct 2, the Transport Ministry and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority said the RTS Link service was expected to commence in February 2027, subject to RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) obtaining independent safety certification and securing final regulatory approvals.

The ministries said infrastructure works in both Singapore and Malaysia were substantially complete and remained on track to support passenger service upon satisfactory completion of the remaining testing and commissioning activities.

RTSO was also expected to complete its final system tests and trial runs by Dec 31, after which it would need to obtain safety certification from an independent safety assessor.

The RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands North in Singapore and has a designed capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.