RTS LINK PLANNED AS PART OF INTEGRATED JOHOR BAHRU-SINGAPORE MOBILITY NETWORK

By Hasnah Jusid

JOHOR BAHRU, March 20 (Bernama) -- The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project connecting Johor Bahru and Singapore is being developed as part of a broader integrated mobility network to link the cross-border rail service with existing and future public transport systems in the city.

Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said integration had been a key guiding principle in the planning of the RTS Link from the outset.

“The RTS Link was never conceived as a standalone service. It is designed to function as part of a wider mobility network for Johor Bahru and the surrounding region,” he told Bernama.

He said under the plan, the future Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) system in Johor Bahru would include a stop at Bukit Chagar with a direct connection to the RTS Link, and a site for the ART station has already been identified.

To realise this integrated transport vision, Mohd Zarif said MRT Corp is working closely with the Transport Ministry, the Johor state government, Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), as well as the management of Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) to develop Bukit Chagar into a fully integrated transport hub.

Mohd Zarif said that, as part of efforts to strengthen first- and last-mile connectivity, more than 250 additional buses are expected to be introduced by 2027 to enhance public bus services in the city.

Another key component is a pedestrian overhead bridge that will provide direct connections between the RTS station and rail services such as the KTM Komuter and the Electric Train Service (ETS), helping to distribute passenger flow beyond the Bukit Chagar area.

He said accessibility is central to MRT Corp’s customer experience vision, ensuring commuters can reach, enter and use the system seamlessly from the start of their journey.

“When transfers and access points are intuitive and well connected, public transport becomes part of everyday life rather than a mode that requires extra consideration,” he said.

Mohd Zarif said that when the RTS Link begins operations after construction is completed on Dec 31, the transit-oriented development (TOD) at Bukit Chagar is expected to still be under construction.

He said that during this period, commuters may experience traffic flow adjustments, making clear, timely information crucial to ensure a smooth and reliable travel experience.

The pedestrian connectivity will link the station to surrounding developments, including the Sultan Ibrahim Building, while park-and-ride facilities will provide additional options for commuters, he added.

These include a 1,500-bay park-and-ride facility at Bukit Chagar offering both standard and premium parking, as well as 700 RTS-designated parking bays at Coronation Square, he said.

Mohd Zarif said direct pedestrian bridges, including connections to the Johor Bahru Sentral (JB Sentral) KTM station, will further enhance accessibility and extend connectivity across Greater Johor.

-- BERNAMA