Anthony Loke: RTS Link not delayed, buffer time needed for safety approvals

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 8 — Malaysia and Singapore jointly decided to start the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link operations in February 2027, rather than taking a unilateral step, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

He said the project was not delayed. Instead, additional time was needed to allow an independent safety consultant to conduct a final evaluation and to secure technical approvals from authorities in both countries.

The minister said the approvals involved Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA).

“After taking these considerations into account, both parties, through the operator RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), informed their respective authorities.

“I have also communicated with Singapore’s Transport Minister, and we agreed that the best decision is to commence operations in February so that all processes can be executed as thoroughly as possible,” he told a press conference after launching the BAS.MY service expansion at Johor Bahru Sentral here today.

He said RTS Link operations could start as early as January, but February was chosen to provide a buffer and ensure safety evaluation and technical approvals proceed smoothly.

He added that physical work on the RTS Link station and the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex building was complete, while October to December was a critical phase for testing and commissioning before the system was handed over to the operator by Dec 31.

Loke explained the government does not want to risk rushing the process, as the RTS Link is a cross-border project involving safety and will serve thousands of passengers daily.

He said February is a comfortable timeframe for both nations to complete testing, safety evaluations, and technical approvals.

Loke said the opening date will be announced only after APAD and LTA grant all approvals, and the government remains confident the service will start in February 2027.

Previously, RTSO said that all system testing and trial runs are targeted for completion by Dec 31 this year, with passenger services expected to start in February 2027, compared to the initial expectation of operations commencing in January. — Bernama