Singapore And Malaysia To Construct Cross-Border Railway Line

Johor Baru, Malaysia: Singapore and Malaysia are partnering to construct a railway line—Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link—which will start commercial service by the end of 2024. 

Each government will also appoint a rail infrastructure company to fund, build and maintain the rail infrastructure and stations in their respective countries.

The RTS Link will connect Johor’s Bukit Chagar terminal station with Woodlands North terminal in Singapore, and will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers an hour in each direction. The proposed line is expected to help in reducing congestion at the border between the two countries and provide commuters with a faster transportation alternative.

A joint venture between Singapore-based SMRT Corporation and Malaysia-based Prasarana Malaysia Berhad will see the running and maintenance of the cross border line’s operating systems, which include its trains, tracks and signalling system. The first concession agreement will last a period of 30 years; terms for the agreement are still being discussed between the companies.

The joint ministerial committee is expected to sign a bilateral agreement on the cross-border service by the end of this year.

APMEN News