Developed by MRT Corp subsidiary, Malaysia Rapid Transit System Sdn Bhd, the 4km rail link between the Woodlands North station in Singapore and the Bukit Chagar station will reduce travel time between the two points from the current two to three hours to just 15 minutes.

“The centrepiece of this new, exciting investment is the creation of an urban oasis adjacent to the RTS Link station,” MRT Corp chief executive officer Zarif Hashim told FMT.

“Taking advantage of the cross-border economies, the new urban oasis will be curated with content that supports 24-hour lifestyle needs, which include hospitality offerings, healthcare and wellness services, as well as top-class education facilities.

“We designed the urban oasis to be centred around the mobility of people. Hence, its planning and development are done concurrently with the construction of the RTS Link infrastructure.

“The unique features of the RTS Link, as well as the elements of the new urban oasis, will surely redefine the economic corridor of Johor Bahru and Singapore.”

In July, MRT Corp signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation to rejuvenate and transform Bukit Chagar into a southern economic hub.

The pact will see the two urban metro and property developers work together in technical design and lifestyle integration to develop six acres of land into “liveable communities” using a “rail plus property” model.

The development is intended to complement the RTS Link, which is aimed at alleviating congestion on the Causeway – one of the busiest border crossings in the world with about 350,000 people travelling daily.

As of Oct 1, the RTS Link project is 52.7% complete and is scheduled to be opened in December 2026.