Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link delayed to February 2027 for safety certification

Passengers will clear immigration for both countries at their departure station, so experts warned that ticketing and immigration queues could build up even when trains still have spare capacity.
The RTS Link is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with the trip between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore expected to take about five minutes.
Malaysia plans a dedicated bus hub near Bukit Chagar, connected to the RTS station by a pedestrian bridge; another direct bridge will link the station to JB Sentral’s KTM platform, avoiding the existing 800-metre walkway that requires passengers to exit and re-enter JB Sentral.
The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link will launch in February 2027, about two months later than originally planned Travel and Tour World. The rail connection is expected to begin passenger service after system testing and regulatory approvals from both Singapore and Malaysia are complete by year-end 2026 Pocket News.
System integration challenges caused the delay, though infrastructure work in both countries remains on track Pocket News. Transport experts warned that launching near Chinese New Year could overwhelm ticketing and immigration stations, urging officials to test peak-crowd scenarios before opening Head Topics.
The RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North in Singapore. The 4-kilometer route takes approximately five minutes to travel Newsy Today. The system can move up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, making it a high-capacity transit option for cross-border commuters Head Topics.
Passengers will clear immigration for both countries at their departure station, not at the border Travel and Tour World. This setup creates a unique problem: ticketing and immigration lines can grow long even when trains have empty seats. Experts worry that bottlenecks at the station could strand riders before they board Head Topics.
Malaysia is building a dedicated bus hub near Bukit Chagar, connected to the RTS station by a pedestrian bridge Pocket News. Another direct bridge will link the station to JB Sentral's KTM railway platform. This new route avoids the existing 800-meter walkway that requires passengers to exit and re-enter JB Sentral Pocket News.
Opening near Chinese New Year means peak holiday travel will hit the service immediately Head Topics. Transport experts urged authorities to rehearse large crowds and handle service disruptions before launch day. Without proper preparation, the system could face chaos during its crucial opening weeks Head Topics.
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