Due to the requirement for extra time for safety inspections, testing, and regulatory approvals, the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will start passenger service in February 2027, approximately one month plus than originally scheduled.
The project will be able to finish the remaining work, system testing, and trial operations before independent safety certification is completed, according to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA).
According to LTA, “more time is required to finish the remaining work and testing, as well as the subsequent safety certification and regulatory approvals.”
Woodlands North in Singapore and Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru will be connected by the RTS Link, which should take about five minutes to get across the border. The service is anticipated to relieve pressure on current land crossings and greatly enhance connection between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
According to LTA, the project will go through the required safety certification and regulatory evaluations in Singapore and Malaysia when the final system tests and trial runs are finished by 31st December 2026.
The authorities have stressed that the infrastructure on both sides of the border is substantially complete, with the remaining work focused on ensuring the system is safe and ready for passenger operations.
The RTS Link was originally targeted to begin operations in 2026. The revised February 2027 opening date remains subject to the successful completion of testing, safety certification and regulatory approvals.
Singapore’s Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow via their social media post said the teams involved have been putting in significant effort to move the project forward. However, he noted that the planned completion of safety certification and licensing by the end of this year would not be achieved.
Siow said operations are now expected to begin before Hari Raya Puasa on 10th March 2027.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke told The Straits Times that RTSO has moved the expected start of services to around mid-February 2027 as a precaution.
RTSO is a joint venture between Malaysia’s Prasarana Malaysia, which holds a 52% stake, and Singapore’s SMRT Corp, which owns the remaining 48%.
