RTS Link, the long-awaited rail connection between Johor Bahru and Singapore, has officially entered its testing and commissioning phase.
Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed this during a site visit to Bukit Chagar station on 18 August 2026, where he also took part in a test run.
Loke explained that physical construction of the CIQ complex and RTS Link station is fully complete. The current phase involves systems integration tests, final testing, and trial runs, all of which are required before passenger operations can begin.
If you're curious what the ride actually feels like, members of the media joined a test ride on 18 August, with the journey from Bukit Chagar to Woodlands North taking just six to eight minutes each way.
The trains run four cars per set, with window seating similar to Singapore's MRT trains plus standing space for additional commuters.
Passengers heading to Singapore will scan their tickets at departure gantries, then head upstairs for baggage checks, body scans, and immigration clearance.
Bukit Chagar station is equipped with real-time monitoring systems and advanced scanning technology to speed up security and immigration processing, keeping cross-border passenger flow efficient even during high-volume periods.
RTS Link spans roughly 4 kilometres, connecting Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore.
Once operational, the driverless trains will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with daily ridership projected at around 40,000 passengers.
The official fare and exact launch date haven't been announced yet. Loke stressed that since this is a bilateral project, the operational date will be jointly announced with his Singaporean counterpart rather than unilaterally by Malaysia alone.
For context, a fare range of SGD 5 to SGD 7 per trip was floated back in February 2026.
RTS Operations, the project's operator, is expected to present its proposed fare structure to both governments, with sign-off required from both Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency and Singapore's Land Transport Authority.
On whether a season pass will be offered for daily commuters, Loke said this remains a matter of commercial viability still under discussion with RTS Operations.
Beyond the train testing, Malaysia's federal government has also approved a RM60 million bridge project that will directly link Bukit Chagar station to the KTM station at JB Sentral. Construction is expected to take about 12 months.
If you regularly cross between Johor Bahru and Singapore, or you're just curious about this new mode of transport, it's worth keeping an eye out for the official fare and launch date announcement over the coming months. The current target has RTS Link welcoming its first passengers on 1 January 2027.
