Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana), Malaysia’s leading public transportation provider, and SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT), Singapore’s leading rail operator, have signed a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement to form the Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link operating company, RTS Operations Pte Ltd.
RTS Operations Pte Ltd, a Singapore incorporated company, will design, build, and finance the RTS Link operating assets including trains, tracks and systems. This company will also operate and maintain the rail line between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Woodlands North in Singapore. The RTS Link passenger service is targeted to commence by end-2026, and it will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers every hour in each direction.
The JV Agreement was signed digitally by Encik Muhammad Nizam Alias, President and Group CEO of Prasarana, Mr Neo Kian Hong, Group Chief Executive Officer of SMRT, and Yang Berbahagia Datuk Syed Mohamed bin Syed Ibrahim, Chairman of RTS Operations Pte Ltd. The signing was witnessed by Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Haji Tajuddin Bin Abdul Rahman, Group Chairman of Prasarana, and Mr Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT.
Also present were Yang Berbahagia Datuk Isham Ishak, Secretary-General Ministry of Transport Malaysia, Mr Yap Kim Wah, Vice Chairman of RTS Operations Pte Ltd, as well as Mr Abu Bakar, Dato T Jasudasen and Encik Mohd Rafizee Abdul Rahman, board members of RTS Operations Pte Ltd.
Dato’ Sri Haji Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said: “Prasarana is proud to be part of this initiative, which fits well to its mission to be a catalyst for further development and economic growth to Malaysia.”
Mr Seah Moon Ming emphasised that “the RTS Link is a significant milestone that will bring the people, cultures and societies on both sides of the Causeway closer. It will enhance cross-border connectivity for millions of commuters for decades to come.”
Encik Muhammad Nizam said: “Prasarana is fully committed for successful delivery of the Project according to its schedule as the RTS Link is very important for both Malaysia and Singapore in tapping the vast economic opportunities in both countries for mutual benefit.”
Mr Neo Kian Hong said: “We are excited to work with Prasarana to provide a service on the third land link between Singapore and Malaysia, which will improve the commute of people who work and live on the two sides of the Causeway. We look forward to forging a close working relationship between our two rail companies.”
Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim said: “Apart from providing an alternative mode of transport between Johor Bahru and Singapore, we hope that the collaboration could benefit both companies in terms of access to greater resources, for example, technology, finance and new knowledge and expertise, including specialised staff.”
