“These parking spaces will be designated for Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link commuters, boosting connectivity for cross-border travel between Johor Bahru and Singapore when operations begin at the end of 2026.
“The RTS Link infrastructure connecting Johor Bahru and Singapore was 83% complete as of July 2024,” he said.
The RTS Link is a 4km cross-border rapid transit system connecting Malaysia with Singapore. It is due for completion in 2026.
It comprises two stations – the Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru and the Woodlands North station in Singapore. It is expected to serve up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction during peak periods.
In July, the 2024 auditor-general’s report revealed that the estimated cost of the RTS Link project had increased by 29.9%, or RM1.20 billion, to RM5.24 billion as of Dec 31, 2023, compared with the original estimated cost of RM4.03 billion in January 2018.
The increase was partly due to the expansion of the depot work scope from light to heavy maintenance, new contracts for the traffic diversion scheme, and the construction of the customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex.
There were also changes to the work scope to ensure a holistic traffic solution, as well as land acquisition costs.
On July 24, 2020, the government agreed to finance the development of the RTS Link project through a development expenditure allocation via the transport ministry.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported Loke as saying the government’s decision to procure 62 new passenger train sets for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd, with an estimated cost of RM10.7 billion, will not negatively affect KTMB staff or lead to job losses.
“The government will cover the cost of leasing these trains, which are part of a government contract. KTMB is a government-owned company and will receive the necessary funding from the government if needed.
“Aspects such as maintenance, repair and KTMB staff were thoroughly discussed before finalising this decision. No one will lose their jobs.”
On Aug 14, Loke said the government has decided to acquire passenger train assets for KTMB’s railway network via leases.
He said the leasing process would be implemented through a government-to-government mechanism between Malaysia and China.
Phase 1 of the initiative, which will run from 2024 to 2027, aims to pay the estimated cost of RM10.7 billion in instalments over a 30-year lease period.