RTS Link will improve connectivity between Singapore and Johor, further strengthen ties: Iswaran

SINGAPORE: The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will improve connectivity between the two sides and further strengthen ties, said Transport Minister S Iswaran on Thursday (Jul 21) after a visit to the Woodlands North terminus site.

Mr Iswaran hosted the Johor Sultan at the terminus site, where construction works began in March 2021.

Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was accompanied by Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi and other state officials.

The RTS Link is a 4km rail shuttle service between the Singapore terminus at Woodlands North station and the Malaysia terminus at Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru.

When it starts operations at the end of 2026, the service is expected to have a capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The journey time between both stations will be about five minutes, said Singapore's Transport Ministry and the Land Transport Authority in a joint factsheet.

During his visit on Thursday, Sultan Ibrahim witnessed the rock removal process using a controlled blasting method and was briefed on the ongoing bore piling marine works, which will set the foundation for the construction of the RTS Link viaduct.

The viaduct crosses the Straits of Johor at a height of around 25m and connects to underground tunnels leading to the RTS Link Woodlands North station.

"I presented him with a memento depicting the architectural features of the viaduct, which symbolise the friendship between both sides, and which His Majesty had a hand in designing," Mr Iswaran said in a Facebook post.

"When opened for service in end-2026, the RTS Link will improve connectivity between Singapore and Johor, and further strengthen our ties."

In a Facebook post later in the day, National Development Minister Desmond Lee reiterated that the RTS Link will develop closer links between Singapore and Johor.

He added that he was looking forward to the RTS Link’s opening, which he said would "further connect our people".

Mr Lee along with Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu also joined a lunch hosted by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam for Sultan Ibrahim.

Sultan Ibrahim also visited Sembawang Air Base later in the afternoon, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in a news release. He was hosted by Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Sultan Ibrahim was briefed on the Republic of Singapore Air Force, viewed a static display of the CH-47F Heavy Lift Helicopter, and took a familiarisation ride on board the helicopter.

"His Majesty’s visit to the Singapore Armed Forces underscores the warm and long-standing bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia," said MINDEF.

The sultan is in Singapore this week for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

He is accompanied by his wife Raja Zarith Sofiah, crown prince Tunku Ismail and his wife Che' Puan Besar Khaleeda, Mr Onn Hafiz Ghazi and other state officials.