SINGAPORE: A study is currently being conducted to determine the fare for the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) train that is expected to run every 3.6 minutes during peak hours, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“We hope that with the right price mechanism in place, we can encourage more people to use the RTS Link.

“The whole idea of the project is to make a modal shift for people to use public transport to cross the Causeway,” he said at a joint press conference with his Singaporean counterpart here yesterday to unveil the first of the eight train sets that will be used for the cross-border service that is expected to commence by Jan 1, 2027.

The decision on the fare will be made by RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), the joint venture company formed between Malaysia’s Prasarana RTS Operations Sdn Bhd and SMRT RTS Pte Ltd to operate the RTS Link service.

The 4km route from Bukit Chagar in Johor to Woodlands North in Singapore will be served by eight train sets manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd.

Singapore was represented at the event held at the Singapore Rail Testing Centre (SRTC) near Tuas by its acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.

Loke also said an open payment system is also expected to be introduced to provide greater convenience.

“We should have multiple modes of payment, like credit or debit cards, as well as Touch ‘n Go,” he said.

On the RTS Link’s operating hours, Loke said the matter will be addressed closer to the opening date, though he quickly ruled out round-the-clock operations, citing the need for scheduled maintenance.

Moving colours: The RTS Link four-car train set has a white livery with red and blue accents – inspired by the colours of the Malaysia, Johor and Singapore flags. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

“But we also understand that those staying in Johor travel to Singapore even before 5am for work,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siow said Singapore has no plans to reduce the frequency of bus services even after the RTS Link commences.

“We want to give commuters as many opportunities as possible to take public transport,” he added.

The Causeway, which sees more than 300,000 daily commuters, is currently one of the busiest border crossings in the world.

In a joint statement from the two ministries, it was announced that offsite systems integration testing for the first train set is scheduled to occur at SRTC over the coming months.

Trains 02, 03, 04 and 05 have been delivered to CRRC’s train facility in Batu Gajah, Perak, for assembly.

This process will be replicated for Trains 06, 07 and 08, where, upon completion, the train sets will be transferred to the Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Baru for further testing and final preparations before being commissioned.

The four-car train set has a white livery with red and blue accents – inspired by the colours of the Malaysia, Johor and Singapore flags.

Each train set, measuring 76.4m in total, can be packed with up to 1,087 passengers each to enable the RTS service to move up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction.

As of June 30, the RTS Link’s system works are 56% complete.

This includes trackwork, rolling stock (the trains), traction power, and the integration of signalling, communications, and control systems.

Trackworks are expected to be completed by the end of this month, while the installation of the traction power supply equipment is currently in progress.

Throughout July and August, key activities include the inspection, testing and commissioning of the traction power supply, including intertripping and interlocking systems.

These works are essential to ensure the readiness of the power supply system to support train testing activities at Wadi Hana in September.