01/06/2024
RTS Link Johor: A Game Changer for Cross-Border Connectivity
2010
Plans for an RTS Link between Singapore and Johor Bahru were first announced in May 2010.
2012
The plan was announced to the public and was slated to operate in 2018.
2018
The project's operation was delayed and suspended due to internal changes following the 2018 Malaysian General Election.
2019
Malaysia requested to suspend the project for six months in 2019, with costs cited as the main reason.
Malaysia decided to proceed with the RTS Link construction on 30 October 2019, with a revised project cost of RM3.16 billion (S$1.03 billion), a 36% drop from the original proposed cost.
Two separate suspensions were requested by Malaysia from 4 November 2019 to 2 May 2020, citing reasons such as proposed project changes, change in country's government, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
Malaysia and Singapore officially relaunched the RTS Link in July 2020, with construction following suit.
2021
Construction began on the Malaysian side on 22 November 2020 and on the Singaporean side on 22 January 2021.
2023
As of June 2023, 41% of Malaysia's part of the project was already completed.
In May 2023, Singapore's portion of the project hit the halfway mark.
In March 2023, the construction of the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link was said to be proceeding smoothly and looked set to be completed by end-2026.
2024
In January 2024, it was reported that progress has reached over 65% on both sides.
A ceremony was held in early 2024 to mark the completion of the drop-in span that will connect the RTS Link's viaduct across the Strait of Johor.
2026
Testing and commissioning is scheduled to start in 2025, with a projected opening date by end 2026.
The RTS Link project is estimated to cost RM10 billion (S$2.91billion) in total, with Malaysia bearing 39% of the cost, and Singapore bearing the other 61%. Once completed, the RTS Link will be able to carry 10,000 commuters per hour in each direction.