The Singapore – Johor Bahru land borders literally serve as an important bridge that connects people on both sides for a variety of reasons, including trade, commerce, and tourism. However, the current infrastructure is inefficient to cope with the growing population, causing long waiting times for travellers making the journey.
To alleviate the congestion and facilitate a more seamless travelling experience, the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, a joint venture by both countries, was first initiated in 2018. However, work on the project only commenced on 30 July 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
When fully operational, the faster and easier commute between the two countries will not only benefit the people but may also boost the local economy.
What Is The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link
The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Project is a joint venture project by Singapore and Malaysia to build a 4km cross-border link via a 25m-high bridge from Woodlands North Station (LRT) in Singapore to Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru.
Source: LTA
When fully up and running, the RTS will facilitate the daily crossing of about 300,000 people, or up to 10,000 passengers for every hour in each direction during peak periods. The journey time will only take around 5 minutes and the trains will have an interval time of 3.6 minutes during peak hours.
The RTS will feature a co-location of customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities, so travellers would only need to clear once at the point of departure, expediting the immigration process. Furthermore, the RTS will integrate with other modes of transport at both ends to ensure more seamless connectivity, while the fare level will also be set by the operating company to maintain affordability.
#1 Building And Operation Of The RTS Link Create Jobs In The Rail Industry
The initial plan for the RTS Link was to leverage the same trains and rail systems as the Thomson – East Coast MRT Line (TEL). Furthermore, it was expected that the RTS Link would use the existing TEL Mandai Depot, thereby creating greater economies of scale in terms of maintenance and servicing, resulting in lower operational costs. It was further expected to benefit the local (Singapore) economy with more job creation in the Rail industry.
However, those plans have been changed to accommodate calls from Malaysia to lower the project costs. Based on the latest agreement (as of July 2020), the RTS will use a similar LRT system used in the Ampang Line at Klang Valley – Johor Bahru, Malaysia. According to Mr Wee Ka Siong, then-Malaysia’sTransport Minister confirmed that a new depot will be built in Wadi Hana, Johor Bahru and expects this project to add around 1,000 jobs to their local economy.
The change of plans has unfortunately been to the detriment of Singapore and Singaporeans. However, a happy medium approach was taken by the government to start off the long-awaited project to ease the congestion problems at the causeway, which is the world’s busiest border crossing. Therefore, we can only see it as a mixed blessing for Singapore and Singaporeans.
#2 Larger Pool Of Labour Can Be Sourced From Johor Bahru
According to The Star, there are over 300,000 Malaysians commuting daily for work in Singapore. A large number of them may currently travel by chartered bus or private motor vehicle. Once the RTS Link is operational, it could help ease traffic congestion as more of these workers might use the RTS Link to cross the borders quickly and conveniently.
With the development of the Northern Gateway and the third Regional Centre in Woodlands, more jobs are expected to be created in the region as it becomes the largest economic hub in Singapore’s north region. The RTS may benefit local Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) looking to add to their labour force. As the journey between the two countries is made more convenient through the RTS Link, more Malaysians might look for employment in Singapore.
This will also benefit the local economy as a whole, as businesses will be able to fill in roles that Singaporeans are not willing to perform. Moreover, it could also translate to higher take up rates for industrial and commercial spaces by businesses including office buildings such as Woods Square.
As more people congregate in Woodlands for work, play and study, it will make Woodlands and the North Region a thriving commercial and community node and make the once sleepy town a bustling destination.
#3 Potential Boost In Rental Demand For Estates Around The RTS Link
As a result of more foreigners being employed in Singapore, there will be a greater demand for property rentals. Some of these workers who may find it unpractical to go back and forth daily, may instead choose to seek accommodate while working here.
The median HDB property rentals in Woodlands could see a boost, if Malaysians see the RTS Link project as raising the attractiveness of working in Singapore.
| HDB Median Rents | |||||
| Location | 3-Room | 4-Room | 5-Room | Executive | Year |
| Woodlands | 2,200 | 2,650 | 3,100 | 2,900 | 2022 |
| 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,100 | 2,300 | 2021 | |
| 1,400 | 1,750 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2020 | |
| 1,450 | 1,700 | 1,800 | 2,100 | 2019 | |
| 1,400 | 1,700 | 2,000 | 2,010 | 2018 | |
Source: HDB
#4 Increased Accessibility To Overseas Properties
During the height of the property boom in the Iskandar Development Region from 2010 to 2013, many Singaporeans bought residential properties in the hopes of flipping them for investment gains or even using them as a second home. Today, some of them have settled down in Johor and commute back and forth for work and study.
The RTS Link will be seen as a major boost for these property owners, who can now expect a quicker and easier travelling journey. We might also see a pick up in demand for the many condominiums like the R&F Princess Cove around the Sultan Iskandar CIQ.
#5 A Boost For Singapore Tourism And Singapore Tourists
The RTS Link will also be a boon for Singapore’s tourism sector. With the upcoming major development of the Mandai Nature precinct, tourists from Malaysia will be able to visit the Mandai’s 5-in-1 park which encompasses the Mandai Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari, Bird Park, and a public reservoir nature trail. With the RTS Link and TEL, tourists from Johor will have a seamless and affordable means of transportation to these attractions. Other attractions that could interest Malaysian tourists, include the iconic and historical Haw Par Villa Park and Resorts World Sentosa. All these attractions can be visited easily using our well-connected rail transportation.
Johor has the accolade of being the Malaysian state with the most theme parks with over 9 theme parks, including LEGOLAND Malaysia, Thomas Town and Angry Birds Activity Park, among others. This bodes well for Singaporeans looking for a quick getaway or travel destination over the school holidays. Instead of being held up in a jam for hours waiting to cross the causeway, it will become more convenient for Singaporeans to make short getaway trips once the RTS Link becomes operational.
#6 Welcome Development For Singapore’ Education Sector
The RTS Link project could also see a pick up in the demand for places in our local Primary and Secondary school institutions, especially those in Woodlands and tertiary institutions like Republic Polytechnic. Though, MOE has declined to reveal the number of Malaysian students enrolled in Singapore schools, an article from the Malay Mail estimated the number to be in the region of 15,000. These students who have to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and make the journey across mostly on chartered buses, will now have an alternative form of reliable transport, making the journey less arduous of an effort.
Moreover, Singaporean students looking to enrol in higher learning institutions in the fields of Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Business and Maritime Engineering could consider the many reputable universities that have opened affiliated branches in the Educity Iskandar of Johor. With the schedule operation of the RTS Link, parents and students could feel at ease, knowing they could cross the borders quickly, without having to face the prospect of sitting in a two hour or longer traffic jam.
#7 Easier Access For Patients Seeking Medical Treatment In Singapore
Singapore is renowned in the ASEAN region for having some of the best medical facilities and professionals. Some of the VIP clients include, the Brunei and Johor Royal families and other notable political office holders and businessmen. Even ex-PM of Malaysia, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin came to Singapore in 2018 for a month-long treatment for his pancreatic tumour.
With the development of the RTS Link, medical tourists from Malaysia, can transfer to the Woodlands MRT station – along the North-South Line and head down to any of the public or private specialist clinics or hospitals at the Health City Novena, within a 35-minute journey. With such a hassle-free commute for top quality healthcare services, more patients from Malaysia would be willing to seek consultation or treatment in Singapore.
On the flipside, Singaporeans heading to Johor for cheaper basic healthcare services like medical check-ups, dental services or even to Fertility clinics, would find the scheduled train departures of the RTS Link beneficial in planning for their appointments.
A Milestone Reached, But Many More To Go
Even though we recounted the many mutual benefits of the project to both countries, we still need to keep a close eye on the project. As we’ve seen previously, things can be subject to change, and there is still a degree of risk that the project might not be completed as per the schedule. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
[Update March 2023]: According to Singapore Transport Minister, Mr S Iswaran, 45% of work on the Singapore side of the RTS Link has been completed and is on schedule to meet the end of 2026 completion timeline.
The next stage of the construction is to build the 12 foundations by the first quarter of 2024. Once done, the vertical columns can then be erected to shoulder concrete segments that form the rail viaduct.
The article was first published on 10 August 2020 and has been updated with the latest information.
The post 7 Ways The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rail Transit System (RTS) May Benefit Singapore’s Economy And People appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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