February start date for RTS not a delay, says Loke

 Transport minister says the project remains on schedule for completion on Dec 31, but additional time is needed for checks and tests.

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the RTS Link could commence operations in January, but both countries agreed to allow more time to ensure the service operates safely and smoothly.

PETALING JAYA:

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook has denied that the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is delayed, following the announcement that operations would begin in mid-February 2027.

Loke said the project’s physical construction remained on schedule for completion on Dec 31, while additional time was needed simply to conduct comprehensive safety assessments and system tests.

While operations could technically begin in January, both countries agreed to allow more time to ensure the service operates safely and smoothly, Berita Harian reported.

“It is not delayed. The project’s physical construction will be completed on Dec 31.

“We agreed that the best decision is to start the service in February 2027 to ensure that all safety measures are properly implemented. We do not want to take the risk of rushing the opening,” he was quoted as saying.

Loke added that the stations as well as customs, immigration and quarantine complexes in both countries had also been completed.

He said October to December would be used to test the integration of key systems, including signalling, passenger management, train operations and cross-border coordination.

The minister said the exact opening date would be announced once final approval is obtained from the transport authorities of both countries.

The RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore. It is designed with a peak capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with the journey between the two stations expected to take about five minutes. - FMT