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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
We built the rail. But where's the city?
LETTERS: We've built trains. Modern, comfortable, world-class urban rail that connects homes to workplaces, suburbs to city centres, and now, even countries. Over the past 10 years, billions have been invested in rail infrastructure: MRT lines through Kuala Lumpur, LRT extensions, and now the RTS Link to Singapore. There's even talk of reviving the high-speed rail to connect Kuala Lumpur and Singapore again. Alongside this transport revolution, Malaysia has published impressive policies. The National Transport Policy champions sustainable mobility. The Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 lays out a bold vision for walkable, liveable districts. The National Low Carbon Cities Masterplan imagines a future where urban living means less traffic and more people-friendly spaces. These plans all have one thing in common: they promise to centre urban life around rail or what planners call Transit-Oriented Development, or TOD. But if you walk around many of our MRT stations today, what do you see? You'll likely find massive car parks, fenced-off lots, wide arterial roads, and disconnected buildings. Often, the nearest café or daycare is a 10-minute walk and not the nice kind of walk. You'll pass concrete, noise, and sometimes nothing at all. And if you're a wheelchair user or pushing a stroller, good luck. This isn't TOD. This is transport infrastructure without city-building. We've built the rail but not the city. Malaysia doesn't suffer from a lack of vision. Our policies and blueprints are aligned with the global best. The real issue is execution. Institutions remain fragmented. Rules are outdated. Projects are often planned in isolation. And the result is a disconnect between the rail we're building and the lives we're trying to improve. The problem starts at the top. Transport policy is led by the federal government. Land use, however, is controlled by the states. Local councils are caught in between; asked to enforce zoning and approve development, but without the authority or resources to shape big-picture outcomes. Everyone has a role to play, but no one is truly in charge. The federal agencies build the rail. The state decides what happens around it. The local council worries about drains, parking, and complaints. It's a well-intentioned system, but one where integration is often the first casualty. There are processes in place, like the One Stop Centre system, to streamline approvals, but these platforms focus more on form than function. They approve building plans and assess technical documents. What they don't do is get everyone, transport planners, housing authorities, local councils, developers, and the public around the same table from the beginning. Without that kind of early collaboration, we end up with trains that don't connect to homes, and homes that don't connect to anything at all. Then there's the policy gap between what's written and what's enforced. Our national plans are progressive and ambitious. But most are not legally binding. For instance, the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) from 1984 still govern building design in most councils. It mandates high parking requirements even next to MRT stations. It doesn't account for mixed-use developments or reduced car ownership. Developers must comply with outdated rules that run counter to everything TOD stands for. So even if they want to build something better, like car-lite homes, integrated shops, and walkable public space, the regulations pull them back. The housing sector and the transport sector also don't always speak the same language. While rail lines are being planned, land allocation for affordable housing or integrated development often comes later, if at all. Prasarana, for example, sometimes has to purchase land at market rate to build station-area development. In other cases, land is alienated by the state through political channels. There's no clear system. No guaranteed way to say, "This station will anchor a thriving neighbourhood." Instead, every project becomes a negotiation. This ad hoc approach creates uncertainty. For example, why is one station surrounded by condos and a mall, while another is next to an empty field and a highway off-ramp? The answer isn't always technical. It's institutional. In cities like Hong Kong, the rail operator is also the property developer. In Shenzhen, land use rights are tied to metro expansion. But in Malaysia, our agencies operate separately, with separate incentives and separate budgets. So instead of unlocking the full potential of public transport, we leave that value on the table. Even the siting of stations often misses opportunities. Ideally, stations should be located where they can do the most good, like in dense areas, with high walkability and economic activity. But too often, they end up in areas chosen for engineering ease or land availability. This might save costs in the short term, but it weakens long-term city-building. A well-placed station can transform a neighbourhood. A poorly placed one becomes a white elephant. And then there's the quiet, unglamorous issue of parking. You may not think about it much, but parking rules shape our cities more than we realise. In Malaysia, most councils require developers to provide two parking bays per unit, even next to MRT stations. That means more basement levels, higher costs, and more cars. It's a silent subsidy for car use, built right into the planning system. Some leaders have proposed changes, including Transport Minister Anthony Loke, but without coordination between federal and local authorities, reforms stall. Meanwhile, we keep building homes with parking but without access. Even pedestrian access is an afterthought. While major roads get generous budgets and long-term plans, sidewalks are often inconsistent, narrow, or absent altogether. The logic is backwards: we build for cars first, then try to squeeze in pedestrians and cyclists. But in a TOD city, walking is the first mode, not the last. Until we shift this mindset, no amount of rail investment will deliver the urban outcomes we want. And finally, the money. Infrastructure creates value; land around stations appreciates, tax revenues rise, and congestion drops. But we don't capture that value in any structured way. There's no national system for land value capture, no reinvestment framework, and little fiscal incentive for councils to support TOD. Prasarana's "rail plus property" projects like Jelatek or Ara Sentral are promising, but they're not standardised. Local councils, meanwhile, often lack the tools or financing to reinvest the gains from TOD back into the neighbourhood. So what do we do? We need to stop thinking of TOD as a design choice or a real estate model. It is a governance challenge. A legislative challenge. A budgetary challenge. And yes, a cultural one. If we want to get serious about TOD, we must do seven things. We need a dedicated TOD authority, not just for KL but for every urban region where rail investment is happening. We need to modernise the UBBL and introduce zoning overlays that support TOD principles. We need inter-agency housing-transport plans that start from day one and not year five. We need readiness audits to evaluate TOD performance by node, not by district. We need to create fiscal incentives for local councils to lead, not follow. We need a value capture framework that channels land appreciation back into public infrastructure. And most importantly, we need to put people, not cars, at the centre of how we build. TOD is not just about density or design. It's about dignity. It's about giving people the choice to live better; to walk to school, to cycle to work, to spend less on transport, and more on life. We have the policies. We have the rail. What we need now is the political will and the institutional courage to connect the dots. Because the train has arrived. But the city, not quite yet. Wan Agyl Wan Hassa n
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Is working remotely in JB for you?
SINGAPORE: If you're tired of high living and rental costs in Singapore and have a job that allows you to work from anywhere, is Johor Bahru your best bet? After all, it's less expensive, culturally not so very different from the Little Red Dot (compared to the rest of the world), and not that far away. On the other hand, living in JB would mean saying goodbye to spontaneous meet-ups, late nights out with friends — and when you do want to come home, especially during the holidays, contending with wall-to-wall traffic during peak hours. But still, for anyone who's ever dreamed of being a digital nomad, perhaps our nearest neighbour to the north would be a stepping stone, a chance to give the lifestyle a try before moving further afield. Why not, right? Today, JB; tomorrow, the world. If you do decide to take this route, here are a few things to consider. Cost of living— that is the number one issue for most Singaporeans these days. According to Numbeo , the cost of living in Johor Bahru is a substantial 66.1per cent lower than in Singapore, excluding rent. With rent factored in, the cost of living in JB is a whopping 73.8 per cent lower, as rent is over 85 per cent less expensive there than in Singapore. This means the Singapore dollar gets stretched far more than it is at home, thankfully. If you're working in the gig economy and get paid based on the amount of work you do, it means you can hustle less and enjoy life more. Numbeo also says that in Johor Bahru, restaurant prices are 57.8 per cent lower and groceries are 54.4 per cent cheaper than in Singapore . Savings—If you do decide, however, to continue to hustle as much as it is humanly possible, living in JB naturally means more savings, which translates into more investments, if you play your cards right, and eventually, early retirement. Anyone with dreams of being part of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement should take this into consideration. Proximity—Do we need to say 'nearest neighbour to the north' again? Johor Bahru is a scant 21.4 kilometres from Singapore, tops, and with the RTS Link scheduled to open right about the same time as the next Avengers movie makes its debut at the end of 2026 (fingers crossed), the trip will take all of six minutes. See also Will democracy be a flash in the pan for New Malaysia? However, before you pack your bags, please be aware that the digital nomad life isn't all fun and games. There are legalities concerning one's visa that must always be taken into account. (There's a good explainer on the different possibilities for Singaporeans who want to work remotely in JB on the Moneysmart blog here .) But even more than that, does anyone else remember the isolation we sometimes felt while working at home during the Covid years, especially for those who live alone? Living in a new country, even if it's close by, can compound the loneliness one might feel, and it takes a while to build community. In other words, be prepared to spend a chunk of your downtime on your own, at least at the beginning. Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Another note to gig workers: work may at times be unstable. You may not always know when the next gig comes around. This is why it's important that your emergency fund of three to six months' living expenses is in place before you go off on your next adventure, and you have to tell yourself not to touch this fund unless a real emergency rolls around. /TISG See also Briton jailed for stabbing husband to death in Malaysia Read also: With the rise of remote work, fewer Singaporeans may choose to work overseas
Independent Singapore
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
First JB-SG RTS Link train begins off-site systems integration testing at SRTC
JOHOR BAHRU/SINGAPORE: The first train set for the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has rolled in for testing at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC), marking a 'very interesting phase' for the long-awaited cross-border service, said Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Train 01 undergoes testing in Singapore Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysia's Transport Minister Loke jointly unveiled the RTS Link Train 01 during a ceremony at the SRTC. The train, which arrived in April, is currently undergoing off-site systems integration testing, The Star reported. Over the next few months, RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), a joint venture between RTS Operations Sdn Bhd and SMRT RTS Pte Ltd, will run checks to make sure the train works smoothly with key rail systems such as signalling, platform screen doors, and onboard communications. According to RTSO chairman Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad, the purpose of these off-site tests is to catch and fix any potential issues before moving to on-track testing. He said this phase is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of the year, with Train 01 set to begin dynamic testing alongside the rest of the fleet after that. Mr Khairil Anwar said trains 02 to 05 are still being assembled in Batu Gajah, Perak. The remaining three trains, 06, 07, and 08, will follow suit for production. Once completed, all eight trains will be transferred to the Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Bahru for final tests and preparations before commissioning for passenger service. Malaysia Rapid Transit System Bhd (MRTS) subsidiary MRT Corp, which oversees the Malaysian section, said dynamic testing of the RTS Link train system is set for May 2026, as per the terms of the bilateral agreement. This will involve operating the train along the full alignment from Wadi Hana Depot through to the stations. Train design and features The four-car train, manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd, is the first of eight planned for the RTS Link. It features a white body with red and blue accents, reflecting the colours of the Malaysian, Johor, and Singapore flags. Each train set is 76.4 metres long and can carry up to 1,087 passengers, making it possible to move 10,000 people per hour in each direction. Inside, the train is fitted with a dynamic route map display, hopper windows for fresh air during emergencies, a wheelchair area, and a hearing induction loop to support hearing aid users during service announcements. Construction progress on both sides of the border Meanwhile, construction continues to make steady progress on both ends of the Causeway. According to RTSO, rail system works are now about 56% complete. Since late 2024, infrastructure companies from both Malaysia and Singapore have been gradually handing over civil structures to support ongoing works. This includes laying the RTS Link tracks from Wadi Hana Depot through Bukit Chagar station and across to Woodlands North station in Singapore. Other works include the installation of signalling, communications, integrated supervisory control, and traction power supply systems. MRT Corp said key structural works for the Marine Viaduct, Wadi Hana Depot, and Bukit Chagar Station were completed as of end-May. Interior works at the depot are now 80% finished and targeted for completion by October. The roof facade is being installed at Bukit Chagar Station. The Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex is also 90% structurally complete, with interior work at 45% and facade installation expected to start in September. See also Boom in JB real estate as RTS Link is above 50% complete Looking ahead: RTS Link fares, operation schedule, and economic impact Minister Loke said the project had faced delays after a change in the Malaysian government in 2018 but was pushed through after many rounds of negotiations. He called the RTS Link a 'game-changer' for daily commuters and said the rail line would play a big role in supporting the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. 'With another 18 months to go, we are now entering a very interesting phase of this project,' Minister Loke said. 'It is about reducing congestion, saving time, and connecting people more seamlessly than ever before,' he added. Acting Transport Minister Siow echoed this, noting that the RTS Link is meant to create 'more choices and convenience' for travellers. In end-June, RTS Link operators said they were in the final stages of deciding fares for the cross-border service. Trains are expected to run daily from 6 a.m. to midnight once operations begin, although Minister Loke noted that the operator is also considering adjusting these hours, as some commuters start crossing the border before 5 a.m. /TISG Read also: SG-JB KTM train to cease operations 6 months after new '6 minutes' RTS link starts running in 2027
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Commuters hope new rail service enhances transborder mobility
Just arrived: The new RTS Link train has a white livery with red and blue accents, inspired by the harmonious colour palettes of Malaysia, Johor and Singapore's flags. — THOMAS YONG/The Star THE unveiling of the new Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) train has commuters eagerly looking forward to the start of the cross-border rail service between Johor Baru and Singapore. Among them is 23-year-old Khairul Anuar, who travels about two hours to his work place in Singapore daily. 'After looking at photos of the RTS Link train, I am looking forward to riding it once it is operational. ALSO READ: Cross-border RTS Link train rolls in for testing 'Having the rail system will definitely make my daily commute to work faster and more efficient compared to my current mode of travel by bus,' he told StarMetro. He added that the biggest benefit would be more rest as he would not need to leave his home so early to beat the traffic congestion on the Causeway. Khairul expects to spend less time commuting to work. 'Right now, I have to leave my house at 8am if my work shift starts at 11am. 'With the RTS Link, I hope to enjoy at least an extra hour of sleep in the morning.' Operations and retail executive Ngoi Chee Kein, 26, said affordability would be a key factor in encouraging usage. 'While I welcome the development as it is a much-needed boost to travel, I hope the ticket price will be affordable, especially since many Malaysians commute daily. 'It should be set between S$2 (RM6.60) and S$4 (RM13.20), which is roughly the current bus fare,' he said. Ngoi expressed hope that the rail system would be reliable. Ngoi hopes the RTS Link ticket will be affordable. 'My main concern is whether RTS Link will have technical issues in the future, because people will be relying on it as their main daily mode of transport,' he said, adding that alternative transport such as shuttle buses should be made available in case of emergencies. For Lis Raman, 49, the RTS Link will offer a long-awaited alternative to traditional cross-border travel options. 'I am looking forward to using the service, which is long overdue. 'It can reduce travel hassle and improve quality of life,' said the Singapore-based training, research and development director, who travels to Johor Baru weekly via private hire car. She currently spends RM50 to RM70 a week for her trips and said she would be willing to pay slightly more for added convenience. 'I do not mind a 10% to 15% increase, as it is an excellent trade-off for mental and physical health gain,' she said. Lis does not mind paying 10% more for added convenience. Lis said she would prefer the RTS Link to operate round-the-clock to accommodate late-night travellers. 'This level of flexibility is no longer alien in some well-developed countries. 'I would use the RTS Link for all my ad-hoc journeys,' she said. Her concerns, however, lie in possible disruptions and maintenance issues. 'I hope there will be adequate parking for people who choose to park and ride and efforts made to prevent vandalism. 'I also want to know if there is any enforceable contingency plan in place from the management should the RTS Link service be disrupted,' she said. Despite their concerns, all three agree that the RTS Link promises to reshape the daily commute and offer a more comfortable and efficient travel option across the Causeway, one of the busiest border crossings in the world. – By YEE XIANG YUN
The Star
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Cross-border RTS Link train rolls in for testing
JB-Singapore rail service expected to start by Jan 1, 2027 THE Johor Baru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) project hit a major milestone with the unveiling of its first train set, bringing the long-anticipated cross-border rail service one step closer to reality. Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow jointly launched the unveiling ceremony at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC), where the RTS Link Train 01 was introduced to the public for the first time. ALSO READ: Commuters hope new rail service enhances transborder mobility At the heart of the RTS Link's engineering feat are eight four-car trains manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd. The four-car train set has a white livery with red and blue accents – inspired by the colours of the Malaysia, Johor and Singapore flags. Each train set, measuring 76.4m in total, can take up to 1,087 passengers each, enabling the RTS service to move up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction. According to MRT Corporation, interior works at the Wadi Hana Depot are now 80% complete. — Courtesy photo The interior of the new RTS Link train is equipped with dynamic route map display, hopper windows that can be opened to supply fresh air to passengers in case of emergencies, a wheelchair area and a hearing induction loop to communicate service broadcast and emergency announcements to hearing aid users. Train 01 arrived in Singapore in April and is currently undergoing off-site systems integration testing at SRTC. Over the coming months, RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) – a joint venture between Prasarana RTS Operations Sdn Bhd and SMRT RTS Pte Ltd – will conduct checks to ensure the train's seamless interaction with critical rail systems, including signalling, platform screen doors and onboard communications. RTSO chairman Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad said the approach allowed it to identify and resolve potential integration issues early before proceeding with on-site testing. He added that the off-site phase was expected to conclude by the fourth quarter of this year, after which Train 01 would be transferred to RTS Link tracks for dynamic testing, along with the remaining train sets. 'Trains 02, 03, 04 and 05 are currently being assembled at CRRC's manufacturing facility in Batu Gajah, Perak, while production of Trains 06, 07 and 08 will follow suit. 'Once completed, all trains will be transferred to Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Baru for further testing and final preparations before being commissioned for passenger service,' he said. Steady progress Construction and installation works are making consistent headway on both sides of the Causeway. RTSO reported that its rail system works were progressing steadily and had reached around 56% completion. To facilitate these works, both Malaysia and Singapore's infrastructure companies have gradually handed over their civil structures since late 2024. These works include laying the tracks for RTS Link, which span approximately 5.3km from the Wadi Hana Depot to Bukit Chagar station and onwards to Woodlands North station in Singapore, as well as installing the signalling, communications, integrated supervisory control and traction power supply systems, among others. The developer and owner of the civil infrastructure for the Malaysian section of the RTS Link is MRT Corp, which is a subsidiary of Malaysia Rapid Transit System Bhd (MRTS). Loke (third from right), Siow (second from right) and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (right) on the new RTS Link train unveiled at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC). According to MRT Corporation, the track installation and structural works for key components such as the Marine Viaduct, Bukit Chagar Station and Wadi Hana Depot were completed as of May 31. It said in a statement that the interior works at the depot were 80% done and targeted for full completion by October. At Bukit Chagar Station, the installation of its signature roof facade is underway. 'Work on the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex is progressing well, with superstructure works now at 90% completion. 'The interior works have reached 45% while the facade installation is slated to begin in September. 'As per the terms of the bilateral agreement, the next key milestones will be the dynamic testing of the RTS Link train system, scheduled for May next year,' MRT Corp said. It added that the critical phase would see the train operating along the full alignment from Wadi Hana Depot through to stations, paving the way for operational validation and readiness. Bilateral vision in motion The symbolic unveiling of the train was more than just a showcase of hardware – it represented the culmination of years of diplomatic and technical coordination between Malaysia and Singapore. Standing alongside his Singaporean counterpart at the unveiling, Loke reflected on the project's challenging beginnings. 'I still remember vividly in 2018, when there was a change of government in Malaysia, this project was in limbo. 'But through many rounds of negotiations, we agreed on a new arrangement to ensure the project could go on,' he said. Loke called the RTS Link a game-changer for daily commuters and a key enabler of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'It is about reducing congestion, saving time and connecting people more seamlessly than ever before. RTSO rolling stock project manager Mohd Faiz Sudar explaining that the front cab is fully automated and driverless during regular operations. 'While the rest of the world is building walls, we are building bridges; bringing Malaysia and Singapore closer together,' he said, adding that the rail service would be operational by Jan 1, 2027. 'With another 18 months to go, we are now entering a very interesting phase of this project,' he added. Echoing his sentiments, Siow said the RTS Link was meant to increase mobility, not replace existing options. 'There are no immediate plans to reduce bus frequencies. 'The idea is to create more choices and convenience,' he said. As for fare pricing and payment methods, both ministers said details would be finalised closer to the launch date. Loke added that RTSO was currently conducting market studies to determine suitable fares that would encourage a shift from private vehicles to rail travel. 'And most importantly, the schedule will need to cater to early morning workers because we understand that there are many who cross the Causeway before 5am to make it in time for work in Singapore,' he added. Sparking public imagination There had been overwhelming interest generated by the public for the RTS Link, said Khairil Anwar. 'It has created a buzz not just in the media, but also among passionate rail enthusiasts. 'In fact, we have seen incredibly realistic 3D simulations of our train by trainspotters; they even superimposed the train onto our RTS Link infrastructure,' he said. He also noted that the train was the embodiment of a shared vision, determination and bilateral collaboration between Malaysia and Singapore. 'It's a symbol of what is possible when two nations come together with purpose,' said Khairil Anwar. He thanked the transport ministries of both countries, the Johor government, infrastructure companies and the technical teams, who turned the long-standing idea into a near-complete reality. 'The link opens the door to countless opportunities for collaboration and growth. 'Increasingly, the RTS Link is also seen as a catalyst for the JS-SEZ, driving economic innovation, investment and prosperity for both nations,' he said.
