RTS Link Fare Proposal to Be Presented to Malaysia and Singapore Governments in Q3 2026

The proposed fare for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is scheduled to be presented to both the Malaysian and Singaporean governments in the third quarter of 2026, according to Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke. The operator, RTS Operations (RTSO), will submit the proposed rates for approval through the Land Public Transport Agency in Malaysia and the Land Transport Authority in Singapore before public announcement.

In February, Mr. Loke suggested that the fare could range between $5 and $7 per trip. When asked about the possibility of introducing a season pass for frequent cross-border travelers, he indicated that while the government is open to such proposals, they must be commercially viable. He noted that season passes for public transportation services typically involve government subsidies, and any implementation would need to ensure that revenue covers expenses.

Mr. Loke also addressed concerns about the impact of global geopolitical situations and conflicts in the Middle East on the project's progress. He stated that these factors have had minimal impact, with physical work for the Bukit Chagar station and the Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine (ICQ) complex nearly complete. System installations are proceeding in phases, and the current situation has not affected the project's timeline or costs.

The RTS Link is a bilateral project between Singapore and Malaysia, aiming to ease Causeway congestion and improve connectivity. The approximately 4km railway shuttle will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North in Singapore, with a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The project is on track to commence passenger service by the end of 2026, with an expected daily ridership of about 40,000 passengers upon its opening on January 1, 2027.