{
  "id": 12845945,
  "title": "Anthony Loke: RTS Link not delayed, buffer time needed for safety approvals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/anthony-loke-rts-link-not-delayed-buffer-time-needed-for-safety",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T10:41:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/08/anthony-loke-rts-link-not-delayed-buffer-time-needed-for-safety-approvals/238285"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 8, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to launch the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link operations in February 2027, instead of proceeding on their own, stated Transport Minister Anthony Loke. The project was not delayed but required extra time to enable an independent safety consultant to carry out a final assessment and secure technical approvals from both nations' authorities. These approvals involved Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA). The minister informed that both parties, via RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), communicated this decision to their respective authorities. Loke mentioned to a press conference that while operations could commence as early as January, February was selected to provide a safety buffer and enable smooth processing of safety evaluation and technical approvals. He clarified that the physical construction of the RTS Link station and the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex building was already finished, while October to December served as a crucial period for testing and commissioning prior to handing over the system to the operator by December 31. Loke emphasized that the government does not wish to hasten the process due to the cross-border nature of the project, which involves safety and will serve thousands of passengers daily. He added that February provides a comfortable timeline for both nations to finalize testing, safety evaluations, and technical approvals. Loke asserted that the opening date will only be disclosed after APAD and LTA grant all necessary approvals, and the government remains confident that the service will commence in February 2027. Initially, RTSO had projected that all system testing and trial runs would conclude by December 31, with passenger services set to begin in February 2027, contrasting with the revised timeline.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 8 — Malaysia and Singapore jointly decided to start the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit Syste...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "RTS Link to open in February after safety, system testing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/rts-link-to-open-in-february-after-safety-system-testing",
        "published": "2026-10-08T09:00:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Anthony Loke: RTS Link not delayed, buffer time needed for safety approvals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/anthony-loke-rts-link-not-delayed-buffer-time-needed-for-safety-12855368",
        "published": "2026-10-08T10:41:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}