100 immigration e-gate lanes will be installed at the Bukit Chagar Integrated Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex as part of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link to expedite cross-border clearance between the two nations.
Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), stated that the e-gate facilities are a critical component of the co-located ICQ model, which allows passengers to complete Malaysian and Singapore immigration clearance in a single facility as part of their rail journey.
He explained that the high-capacity e-gate system is intended to facilitate efficient passenger movement and reduce congestion, particularly during peak travel times.
“In addition to the 100 e-gate lanes, the Bukit Chagar ICQ Complex will include 10 security screening lanes for body checks, 18 baggage scanners, and dedicated lanes for passengers travelling without luggage, all aimed at reducing bottlenecks and ensuring smooth passenger flow,” Bernama reported him saying.
Mohd Zarif also stated that the implementation of e-gates, supported by close collaboration between Malaysian and Singaporean immigration authorities, including QR-code passport clearance, would reduce reliance on manual checks and provide a more predictable border-crossing experience.
While time savings are important, he believes the greater benefit is reliability and certainty, which allow commuters to better plan their daily routes.
Mohd Zarif stated that the RTS Link is expected to carry 40,000 passengers per day at the start of operations, with ridership increasing to around 140,000 passengers per day once the service matures, potentially accounting for 30 to 40% of Causeway movements.
The co-located ICQ facilities at Bukit Chagar are one of the key features supporting the RTS Link’s goal of operating as a world-class international gateway, reinforcing the role of public transport as a dependable and preferred mode of cross-border travel when the system goes into service on 31st December 2026.
He stated that as part of this strategy, MRT Corp established a Project Information Centre at its RTS Link office, which includes interactive kiosks displaying key project information and virtual walkthroughs of the RTS alignment, assisting visitors in understanding how the system functions as a cohesive whole.
“In developing its customer experience framework, MRT Corp drew insights from established gateways such as KLIA and benchmarked its approach against international standards, including Changi Airport,” he said.
