The Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) is supposed to retire Keretapi Tanah Melayu‘s (KTM) Shuttle Tebrau service, and Malaysia wants the latter to continue running for a certain period after the RTS Link starts operations in 2027, according to a Bernama report.
“Although Malaysia hopes that this service can be maintained temporarily, this requires Singapore’s approval,” transport minister Anthony Loke said.
“If we follow the agreement, we must acknowledge and accept that the bilateral agreement for the RTS Link also requires the KTM Shuttle Tebrau to be terminated six months after the RTS Link is operational,” he added. He also said that the request has been raised with the Singaporean government but no decision has yet been received.
The diesel loco-hauled Shuttle Tebrau has been shuttling passengers between Johor Bahru and Woodlands for the past decade. A one-way ticket for the five-minute, 1.1-km ride costs RM5 to Singapore and S$5 (RM16) to JB. The service can carry 8,635 passengers daily via 31 trips in both directions.
Meanwhile, the RTS Link connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North. The circa-4-km railway line will effectively be the third bridge between Malaysia and Singapore, with a max capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour per way. Fares have not been announced yet, but it was previously reported that they could be in the region of S$5-7 (RM16-22) per trip.
What will then become of the British-built century-old railway line across the Causeway? According to Bernama, the Johor government has suggested a conversion to a cycle/pedestrian route for better safety.
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