Thu. Feb 20th, 2025

TL;DR – Upon completion, residents in Singapore and JB will be able to take an RTS train ride to commute between the two areas!

On 12 May, nine contracts worth S$320 million for the future Singapore–Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System (RTS Link) between Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) were awarded by RTS Operations, a joint venture company formed by Singapore’s SMRT and Malaysia’s Prasarana in 2020.

Four out of the nine contracts are for the RTS line’s core systems – trains, signalling system, communications and the integrated supervisory control system (ISCS). CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co. clinched the deal to supply the trains. Siemens Mobility will supply the signalling system and platform screen doors for the line and Sapura Rail Systems of Malaysia will supply the communications and ISCS for the line.

The remaining contracts awarded were for track laying, traction power supply, uninterruptible power supply, automatic fare collection system, as well as for the supply of depot equipment and service vehicles. 

Artist impression of the RTS terminus at Woodlands North (via LTA)

 

The award of these contracts follow the awarding of two civil engineering contracts – the first contract was awarded in November 2020 to Penta-Ocean Construction, for the construction of the Woodlands North terminus, and the second contract was awarded to the Singapore branch of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) for the construction of tunnels and a 25m high bridge connecting Singapore and JB.

Artist impression of the RTS viaduct (via LTA)

 

The new Woodlands North terminus will house a Customs, Immigration and Quarratine (CIQ) facility and it will be located beside the Woodlands North MRT station (TE1) of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). The terminus on the Malaysian side will be located in Bukit Chagar and will also house a CIQ facility. The depot to stable the trains and facilitate maintenance activities will be located in Wadi Hana, JB.

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Commuters departing Singapore will clear both Singaporean and Malaysian customs at once before boarding a train towards JB. Similarly, commuters departing JB will clear both customs in the Bukit Chagar RTS terminus in JB at once.

Artist impression of the Woodlands North RTS terminus (via LTA)
Artist impression of the Bukit Chagar RTS terminus (via ST)

 

Upon completion in 2026, residents in Singapore and JB will be able to take an RTS train ride to commute between the two areas, increasing connectivity, bringing about convenience, and promoting tourism in both lands!

By Joey Wee

I am nice, most of the time!