Passenger service on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link is now expected to begin in February 2027, instead of the previously targeted end-2026 opening.
RTS Operations, or RTSO, informed the Singapore and Malaysia authorities of the revised timeline, according to an announcement reported by CNA on Friday, 2 October.
In a joint statement, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority and Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport said more time is needed to complete testing, obtain independent safety certification from a third party, and secure regulatory approvals from both countries.
So yes, the train is coming. Just not quite as soon as people who regularly stare at Causeway traffic would like.
Tests and Trial Runs Expected to Finish by End-2026
RTSO expects to complete all system tests and trial runs by 31 December 2026.
After that, the RTS Link will still need to go through independent safety certification before the authorities on both sides can give regulatory approvals for passenger service.
The authorities said infrastructure works in Singapore and Malaysia are substantially complete. These works remain on track to support passenger services once the remaining testing and commissioning processes are done.
This means the delay is not being framed as a major construction delay, but as a final safety and regulatory step before the cross-border service can open to passengers.
The Trip Between Woodlands and JB Is Expected to Take About 5 Minutes
The RTS Link is a roughly 4km rail shuttle between Woodlands North Station in Singapore and Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru.
When it opens, the journey between the two stations is expected to take about five minutes. The line is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
One of its key features is co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facilities at both stations.
In simple terms, passengers will clear both Singapore and Malaysia immigration at the point of departure. They will not need to clear immigration again after arriving at the other end.
For example, someone travelling from Woodlands North to Bukit Chagar would complete the required immigration checks before boarding in Singapore, rather than after reaching Johor Bahru.
The Project Has Already Been Delayed Before
The RTS Link has had a long history.
It was first announced in 2010. A binding agreement was later signed in January 2018, with the project originally targeted to open by the end of 2024.
The project was suspended in April 2019 at Malaysia’s request.
It resumed in July 2020, when Singapore and Malaysia agreed to continue the project with changes. The target passenger service date was then pushed from end-2024 to end-2026.
The first test run took place in December 2025.
Before Friday’s update, the public timeline had pointed to an opening around end-2026 or early 2027. Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke had said in April 2026 that the project was on track for a January 2027 launch.
With the latest revision, passenger service is now expected in February 2027.
Why the RTS Link Matters
The RTS Link is meant to improve travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru, especially for people who regularly cross the Causeway.
Singapore’s LTA has said the line is expected to help ease Causeway congestion and improve connectivity between both sides.
The line will also connect directly to Woodlands North MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line in Singapore, making it easier for passengers to transfer into the local MRT network.
In Johor Bahru, Bukit Chagar Station is also being positioned as a major transport node, with links to other forms of transport.
For now, though, commuters will have to wait a little longer before the five-minute cross-border train ride becomes reality.
