KUALA LUMPUR: The Bilateral Agreement for Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) between Johor Bahru and Woodlands, Singapore will be signed during the upcoming Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat scheduled on Jan 16, in the island republic.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the RTS was expected to be completed by end of 2024.
“Upon completion, the system will be able to carry 10,000 passengers per hour per direction on a five-minute journey throughout the 4-kilometre alignment, between the stations in Woodlands and Bukit Chagar.
“We hope with the bilateral agreement, the RTS project will be commenced quickly as it could help in reducing congestion at the causeway especially for the convenience of Johoreans working in Singapore and also to boost Malaysia’s economy,” he told reporters after a ceremony where 66 KTMB staff received the Pride of Workmanship award from the Rotary Clubs in Malaysia, here yesterday.
He said once operational, the existing ‘Shuttle Tebrau’ service currently operated by KTM Berhad would cease operation within six months after the RTS Link commencement.
The RTS project was proposed in May 2010 as an alternative to Johor Causeway users, who number between 80,000 to 100,000 everyday.
On another note, Liow said for the new Subang-Skypark Subang Terminal Extension Project which aimed to provide a rail-based public transport to connect commuters to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, the SkyPark Terminal was expected to be operational by April this year.
On the Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) Phase 1, the Transport Minister said the construction which started in November 2015 was now 48 per cent completed. — Bernama