Everything You Need To Know About the RTS Link

The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS Link) is set to transform cross-border commuting between Johor Bahru (JB) and Singapore. With thousands of people crossing daily for work, school, and leisure, the RTS Link promises faster, more convenient, and more reliable travel across the Causeway.

Fun fact: More than 300,000 people cross the Johor–Singapore Causeway every single day, making it one of the busiest border crossings in the world.¹

Artist Impression of the RTS Link (2 September 2025 - Edited with Gemini Imagen)

What is the RTS Link?

The Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link is a cross-border light rail system jointly developed by Malaysia and Singapore. It aims to reduce traffic congestion on the Causeway and provide a high-capacity, efficient connection for commuters between the two countries. The project is operated through a joint venture: RTS Operations Pte Ltd, comprising Malaysia’s Prasarana and Singapore’s SMRT.²

Construction timeline

Construction of the RTS Link began in November 2020 after a brief delay for project review. Work is ongoing on both the Malaysian and Singaporean sides, including the Bukit Chagar terminal in JB and the Woodlands North station in Singapore.³

Route length and system details

The RTS Link will span approximately 4 kilometers, crossing the Straits of Johor via a dedicated bridge. The rolling stock will be similar in design and technology to the trains used on Singapore’s MRT system, ensuring a familiar experience for commuters from both sides.⁴

When will the RTS Link open?

The RTS Link is targeted to begin operations by the end of 2026, with testing and commissioning expected in the months leading up to its launch.⁵

Stations served by the RTS Link

Bukit Chagar Station (Johor Bahru): Located near JB Sentral, this will serve as the main terminal on the Malaysian side.
Woodlands North Station (Singapore): Located at the northern tip of Singapore, the station connects directly with the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) of the Singapore MRT network.

This two-station route is designed to be highly efficient, moving large volumes of passengers with minimal delay.⁶

Travel time and operating hours

The travel time on the RTS Link is expected to be only about 5 minutes between Bukit Chagar and Woodlands North. Operational hours are projected to be similar to those of the Singapore MRT and Malaysia’s urban rail systems, running from early morning until around midnight daily.⁷

Fare structure and payment options

Exact fare pricing has not yet been officially announced, but it is expected to be affordable and competitive compared to existing bus and rail services across the Causeway. Passengers will be able to use contactless stored-value cards and mobile payment apps such as Touch ’n Go (Malaysia) and EZ-Link (Singapore) for seamless access.⁸

Immigration and customs clearance

One of the biggest advantages of the RTS Link is the co-location of immigration and customs clearance facilities. Passengers will clear both Malaysian and Singaporean checkpoints at their point of departure, whether in JB or Singapore. This eliminates the need for double queuing and makes the journey faster and smoother.⁹

Connectivity in Singapore

The RTS Link’s Woodlands North station connects directly to Singapore’s Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), enabling passengers to transfer seamlessly to the broader MRT network. This connection makes commuting to central Singapore and beyond highly convenient.¹⁰

Connectivity in Johor Bahru

Bukit Chagar Station is strategically located near JB Sentral and will be integrated with Johor Bahru’s planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This ensures easy access to local bus services and onward travel within Johor Bahru and beyond.¹¹

Why the RTS Link matters

For the thousands of Malaysians who work in Singapore but live in Johor Bahru, the RTS Link promises to significantly reduce commuting stress. Shorter travel times, reduced congestion at immigration, and seamless connections to transport hubs will improve daily life and boost economic ties between the two regions.¹²

Quick Facts

RTS Link is a cross-border light rail between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
Construction started in November 2020.
Length: approximately 4 km, with a dedicated bridge over the Straits of Johor.
Stations: Bukit Chagar (JB) and Woodlands North (Singapore).
Travel time: about 5 minutes end-to-end.
Opening: expected by end of 2026.
Payment: Touch ’n Go, EZ-Link, and other contactless options anticipated.
Immigration clearance: co-located at departure point to speed up crossings.
Connections: TEL MRT line in Singapore, BRT and bus terminals in JB.
Benefit: reduces Causeway congestion and eases daily commuting.

References

Page Details

This page was created on 2 September 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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