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Onn Hafiz: RTS Link achieves 50 per cent physical progress
Onn Hafiz: RTS Link achieves 50 per cent physical progress

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • Business
  • New Straits Times

Onn Hafiz: RTS Link achieves 50 per cent physical progress

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project has achieved 56 per cent physical progress as of June. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said it involves track construction, station development as well as system and train testing. "I am confident that all of this is a good start in elevating Johor as a major economic power in the region. "It also reflects the commitment of the state government together with the federal government and Singapore in building modern, efficient and safe infrastructure for the convenience of the people," he said in a Facebook post yesterday. Onn Hafiz said the RTS Link, which connects Bukit Chagar, here to Woodlands North, Singapore in just five minutes, will solve the problem of border congestion as well as strengthen Malaysia-Singapore relations and stimulate the regional economy. He said the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, was designed with high efficiency and is capable of carrying 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction and a frequency of 3.6 minutes during peak hours, thus being able to accommodate up to 180,000 passengers per day. Onn Hafiz together with Transport Minister Anthony Loke today witnessed the launch of the first RTS Link train in Singapore, which was also attended by Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. – BERNAMA

Final market study to determine JB-S'pore RTS Link fares: M'sian transport minister
Final market study to determine JB-S'pore RTS Link fares: M'sian transport minister

New Paper

time15 hours ago

  • Business
  • New Paper

Final market study to determine JB-S'pore RTS Link fares: M'sian transport minister

The operator of the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is in the midst of conducting a final market study to determine the fares for the cross-border rail link, and a decision on the price of a ride will be made closer to the start of operations. Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said this to reporters on June 30 after the unveiling of the first of eight trains that will serve the light rail line when it opens at the end of 2026. Mr Loke said RTS Operations (RTSO) - a joint venture between Singapore transport operator SMRT and Malaysian public transport firm Prasarana - will determine the fares of the 4km rail link. "Of course, we hope that the right price mechanism is in place to ensure that we can encourage more people to use the RTS Link," he added. "The whole idea of this project is to make the modal shift, to ensure that more people use public transport to cross the Causeway. So I think that is one of the important considerations," Mr Loke said. Mr Siow said the RTS Link fare has to be determined commercially, and RTSO will need to take into account demand and supply, as well as the alternative transport options, such as cross-border public buses, and how much they cost. He added: "We'll have to leave it to (RTSO) to figure it out, and I think they will do that probably closer to the service commencement." Regarding what a fair price would be, Mr Loke later said that the fare must be less than what it costs for passengers to use their own means of transport. "For example, if a worker lives farther away and rides a motorcycle across the Causeway to come to Singapore, he may have to pay for fuel and other costs... If the RTS fare is lower than his expenses, it will definitely encourage him to use the RTS," Mr Loke added. "In the end, this is a huge expense, a huge investment for us," he said. "Both governments have invested a lot of money in this project, so we must meet that goal." Asked whether the RTS Link's operating hours would be adjusted to suit the travel patterns of Malaysians who travel to Singapore for work, Mr Loke said that some leave their homes as early as 5am and this is something that RTSO will need to take into account. RTSO has said that trains on the line will run from 6am to midnight daily. Mr Loke also said that Malaysia and Singapore are pushing for an open payment system with multiple ways to pay for an RTS Link ride, adding that this is a trend for public transport operators worldwide. Meanwhile, Mr Siow was asked whether the opening of the RTS Link will have an impact on other transport modes, including the reduction of cross-border public bus frequencies. To this, he said the intent of the rail link is to create more mobility, and there are no immediate plans to adjust bus schedules. The event on June 30 was the first time that Mr Siow in his capacity as Acting Minister had met Mr Loke and Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Mr Siow said the RTS Link is dear to his heart, as he was part of the joint conceptualisation at the early stages of the project. "We needed the right opportunity and the leadership to see it through, and we have that today. And it is almost surreal to me to see the RTS Link emerge out of the agreement that we signed eight years ago," he said. He added: "I, and many Singaporeans and Malaysians, look forward to the continued close cooperation between both sides and the successful delivery of the project."

Malaysia, Singapore unveil first driverless train set for RTS link
Malaysia, Singapore unveil first driverless train set for RTS link

Sinar Daily

time15 hours ago

  • Business
  • Sinar Daily

Malaysia, Singapore unveil first driverless train set for RTS link

The RTS Link will have an overall peak capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction. 30 Jun 2025 03:39pm Transport Minister Anthony Loke (front, left) and Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow (front, two from right) pose for a photo inside the new train carriage during the launching of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link 01 at the Singapore Rail Test Centre today. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (right). - Photo by Bernama SINGAPORE - The first of eight train sets for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link was unveiled on Monday, marking a key milestone in the landmark Malaysia-Singapore cross-border rail project. The train, manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd, was unveiled by Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC). RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) chairman Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad said Train 01, which arrived in Singapore in April 2025, will undergo Offsite System Integration Testing (OSIT) at the SRTC in preparation for full integration and operation. The train sets 02 to 05 have been transported to CRRC's train manufacturing facility in Batu Gajah, Malaysia and are currently undergoing the assembly process, while train sets 06 to 08 will undergo a similar process subsequently. Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow pose for a photo inside the new train carriage during the launching of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link 01 at the Singapore Rail Test Centre today. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. - Photo by Bernama "Once completed (the assembly process), these train sets will be transferred to the Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Bahru for further testing and final preparations before being commissioned for passenger service,' he said at the launch event here on Monday. The Transport Ministries of Malaysia and Singapore, in a joint statement, said the OSIT, scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of this year, will be carried out by RTSO, the joint venture company formed by Prasarana RTS Operations Sdn Bhd and SMRT RTS Pte Ltd to operate the RTS Link service. During the testing phase, RTSO will carry out checks on the integration between the train and other rail systems, such as the signalling system, platform screen doors, and onboard communications system. "Carrying out an initial round of offsite testing at SRTC allows RTSO to identify and resolve potential integration issues early, before commencing testing of the trains on the RTS Link tracks," the statement said. The RTS Link, targeted to commence passenger service by December 2026, will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North in Singapore. At the commencement of service, the RTS Link will be served by a total of eight driverless train sets, each comprising four cars and capable of carrying more than 600 passengers per train. The RTS Link will have an overall peak capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction. To facilitate a seamless travel experience, there will be co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities at both stations, so that commuters only need to undergo immigration clearance at the point of departure. According to RTSO, its rail system works are progressing steadily and have reached around 56 per cent completion. - BERNAMA More Like This

Malaysia, Singapore Unveil First Driverless Train Set For RTS Link
Malaysia, Singapore Unveil First Driverless Train Set For RTS Link

Barnama

time21 hours ago

  • Automotive
  • Barnama

Malaysia, Singapore Unveil First Driverless Train Set For RTS Link

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz SINGAPORE, June 30 (Bernama) -- The first of eight train sets for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link was unveiled on Monday, marking a key milestone in the landmark Malaysia-Singapore cross-border rail project. The train, manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd, was unveiled by Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC). bootstrap slideshow RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) chairman Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad said Train 01, which arrived in Singapore in April 2025, will undergo Offsite System Integration Testing (OSIT) at the SRTC in preparation for full integration and operation. The train sets 02 to 05 have been transported to CRRC's train manufacturing facility in Batu Gajah, Malaysia and are currently undergoing the assembly process, while train sets 06 to 08 will undergo a similar process subsequently. 'Once completed (the assembly process), these train sets will be transferred to the Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Bahru for further testing and final preparations before being commissioned for passenger service,' he said at the launch event here on Monday. The Transport Ministries of Malaysia and Singapore, in a joint statement, said the OSIT, scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of this year, will be carried out by RTSO, the joint venture company formed by Prasarana RTS Operations Sdn Bhd and SMRT RTS Pte Ltd to operate the RTS Link service. During the testing phase, RTSO will carry out checks on the integration between the train and other rail systems, such as the signalling system, platform screen doors, and onboard communications system. "Carrying out an initial round of offsite testing at SRTC allows RTSO to identify and resolve potential integration issues early, before commencing testing of the trains on the RTS Link tracks," the statement said.

First of 8 Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link trains unveiled; system works 56% done
First of 8 Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link trains unveiled; system works 56% done

Straits Times

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Straits Times

First of 8 Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link trains unveiled; system works 56% done

A dynamic route map display showing the next station in the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The control panel, when not concealed, in the front cab of the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The 76 metre-long train of four cars, each with three doors on either side, seen at the commemorative event held by Ministry of Transport on June 30. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Each of the eight RTS Link trains has an optimal capacity of 607 passengers, or a maximum of 1,087. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE - The first of eight driverless trains that will serve the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has been delivered to Singapore , and will be put through its paces at an $800 million testing centre in Tuas from July. The delivery marks the latest milestone for the highly anticipated cross-border rail link, which observers say will be a significant driver of Singapore-Malaysia connectivity and economic growth when it starts passenger service by the end of 2026. The arrival of the new 76.5m-long, four-car train was commemorated at an event at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) on June 30, attended by Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi. 'The RTS Link is more than a transportation system and it is more than an engineering milestone,' said Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad, chairman of RTS Operations (RTSO), a joint venture between Singapore transport operator SMRT and Malaysian public transport firm Prasarana that was appointed to run the rail line. 'It is actually a powerful symbol of our partnership that will deepen bilateral relations between both Malaysia and Singapore,' he added. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow (centre), with his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke (right) and Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi (left) at the commemorative event on June 30. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Overall, works to install the RTS Link's systems are now at 56 per cent completion, RTSO said on June 30. This includes track installation, which is expected to be completed by the end of July, as well as the installation of the traction power system, which supplies the electricity that powers the trains. Each of the eight RTS Link trains, made by Chinese manufacturer CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, has an optimal capacity of 607 passengers, or a maximum of 1,087. Each train car has 32 seats, including four that can be folded to make space for a wheelchair, pram or luggage. Each train car has 32 seats, including four that can be folded to make space for a wheelchair, pram or luggage. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The trains come with other accessibility features, including a hearing induction loop system that uses a magnetic field to transmit public announcements directly to the hearing aids of passengers who use such devices. It is the first time such a system is being rolled out on a train in Singapore and Malaysia, so that broadcasts can be heard clearly by the hearing-impaired without background noise and distortion. The hearing loop that transmits announcements to hearing aids of the hearing impaired on the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM In the event of an emergency, passengers can use a call button to speak to the operations control centre. They can also evacuate by opening one of several red hatches that contains a lever to open the train doors. Opening the hatch will send an alarm to the operations control centre, and the lever can be used only when the train comes to a standstill. Passengers can evacuate by opening one of several red hatches that contains a lever to open the train doors. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Only the doors that face an emergency walkway along the RTS Link's viaducts and tunnels can be opened. There are also smoke and fire detectors on the train, and hopper windows that can be opened to allow fresh air into the cabin. The first RTS Link train, which arrived in Singapore in April, is expected to undergo tests that ensure it works well with other rail systems, such as signalling and platform screen doors. These tests are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. 'Carrying out an initial round of off-site testing at SRTC allows RTSO to identify and resolve potential integration issues early before commencing testing of the trains on the RTS Link tracks,' said Singapore and Malaysia's transport ministries in a joint statement. The first RTS Link train, which arrived in Singapore in April, is expected to undergo tests that ensure it works well with other rail systems. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM After testing at SRTC, the first train will be moved to the RTS Link tracks between Singapore's Woodlands North station and Johor's Bukit Chagar station for more extensive trials that simulate actual service. This will last until the third quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the next four trains that are due to be delivered are now being assembled at CRRC's facility in Batu Gajah, a town in Perak, Malaysia. The remaining three trains will also be assembled there. Display panels showing the next station in the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Once completed, these seven trains will be sent directly to Wadi Hana depot in Johor Bahru for further testing before the 4km rail link opens. The final train is expected to be delivered by December. When operational, the RTS Link trains will travel at a maximum speed of 80kmh, carrying up to 10,000 people an hour in each direction. When operational, the RTS Link trains will travel at a maximum speed of 80kmh, carrying up to 10,000 people an hour in each direction. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Trains will run from 6am to midnight daily, with a peak-hour frequency of 3.6 minutes. The journey will take about five minutes. The contract to manufacture the RTS Link trains was awarded to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive in 2021. The original plan was for the cross-border link to connect to Singapore's Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), adopting the same systems and trains, and using the same depot as the TEL to reap economies of scale. But the bilateral project was suspended in 2019 at the request of Malaysia, which proposed to use a light rail system instead to lower costs. The project officially resumed in July 2020 on revised terms. When completed, the RTS Link is expected to ease congestion on the Causeway. More than 300,000 people cross the land bridge daily. Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times. 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