Singapore, Malaysia agree to extend RTS Link deadline by another month: Malaysia's transport ministry
An artist's impression of the RTS Link Woodlands North Station in Singapore.
SINGAPORE – Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to extend for an additional month, the deadline to decide on whether to continue with construction of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link without any additional cost, Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport said in a media statement on Sunday (Sep 29).
The new deadline was set for Oct 31, the statement added.
In May, the two countries agreed to suspend the construction of the RTS Link until Sep 30 at Malaysia’s request. As part of the agreement, Malaysia would reimburse Singapore for the abortive costs incurred (around S$600,000) due to the suspension.
During the suspension period, Malaysia would decide if it intends to proceed with the RTS Link project as it is.
The RTS Link, which connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands in Singapore, is expected to ferry up to 10,000 passengers per hour each way. The project was meant to be completed by 2024, but is now behind schedule with Malaysia repeatedly delaying confirmation of its joint venture partner.
According to a bilateral agreement signed in January 2018, a joint venture company comprising Singapore’s SMRT and Malaysia’s Prasarana Malaysia should have been constituted by Jun 30 last year.
The joint venture company should also have been appointed as the RTS Link operator through a concession agreement with Singapore's Land Transport Authority and the government of Malaysia by Sep 30, 2018.
Both milestones were missed. Malaysia then asked for an extension until Mar 31, to confirm its joint venture partner.
On Apr 1, Putrajaya said it had requested for a six-month extension (till Sept 30) from Singapore before making a decision on the RTS, to enable the Malaysian government to examine several issues including the cost of implementing the project.
