Transport Ministry greenlights RM60m bridge, giving Komuter passengers direct access to RTS station

The Malaysian government has approved a RM60 million bridge project to enhance public transport integration and improve passenger access to the Bukit Chagar Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Station. The additional infrastructure will connect the Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station directly to KTMB Komuter service, enabling commuters to walk without deviation from the standard route at JB Sentral.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the approval during a visit to the RTS Link project site in Bukit Chagar. The bridge, expected to take around 12 months to complete, will reduce the distance between the Komuter station and RTS Link, making it easier for passengers to utilize public transportation to reach Bukit Chagar or exit from the same location.

In addition to the bridge project, Loke also announced plans for the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) 2.0, which aims to increase the number of buses serving residential areas around Johor Bahru to Bukit Chagar. The expansion of bus services is planned to coincide with the opening of the RTS Link, ensuring efficient passenger dispersal.

The Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station will be integrated with JB Sentral, e-hailing services, and other public transportation options, transforming it into a multi-modal public transport hub.

Construction of the physical building, Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, and RTS Link station has already been completed, transitioning the project into the testing and commissioning phase. This phase includes system integration testing, followed by fault-free and trial runs to ensure all systems function properly before the station is open to the public.

The RTS Link is set to commence operations on January 1st of the following year, with an expected capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The railway will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore.