RTS Link Trains to Begin Test Runs in Johor Bahru This Month

The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link trains are set to commence test runs in Johor Bahru starting in mid-November as part of the project’s first phase, just over a year before its anticipated completion. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced at a press conference on November 3 that the trains will arrive in Johor Bahru during the second half of November, with testing scheduled to take place between mid-November and December.

Manufactured by the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation, each train boasts a standing capacity of 607 passengers and can accommodate approximately 1,000 passengers during peak hours. Loke emphasized that while the public will soon see the trains in operation, they will not carry passengers initially due to ongoing processes such as signaling and system integration testing that are still required before the official launch.

The project is on track for completion by December 31, 2026, with operations expected to begin in January 2027, according to Loke. He stated, “We are doing all we can to ensure this target is met.” The RTS Link will span 4 kilometers, connecting Woodlands North station in Singapore to Bukit Chagar station in Johor. The service aims to alleviate traffic congestion at the Causeway, one of the world’s busiest border crossings, by transporting up to 10,000 passengers each hour in both directions.

Train schedules indicate that the first departures from both ends of the line will occur at 06:00, with the last trains leaving at midnight. Loke also provided an update on construction progress after visiting the RTS Link immigration complex site, noting that the Malaysian side is progressing well towards meeting deadlines. The Wadi Hana depot is currently 91 percent complete, while Bukit Chagar station is 73 percent finished, and the immigration complex within the station stands at 76.8 percent completion.

Upon completion, passengers will purchase RTS Link tickets on the first floor of Bukit Chagar station before proceeding to the second level for immigration clearance on the Malaysian side and security checks. They will then move to the third level to pass through Singaporean immigration before reaching the departure platform. This design aligns with the single-point immigration clearance system that has been promised for the RTS Link, facilitating smoother travel for passengers crossing between the two countries.

Loke intends to visit the construction site every three months to monitor progress and ensure that all parties involved in the project coordinate effectively. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between MRTS, responsible for infrastructure development, and RTSO, the joint venture overseeing operations, which includes transport operators Prasarana Malaysia and SMRT Corporation from Singapore. “I’m here to ensure that coordination issues are resolved. As far as we are concerned, we are on track,” Loke stated. He acknowledged that while challenges are common in large projects, proactive measures are being taken to maintain the schedule.