Former Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau said the second RTS Link should connect Iskandar Puteri to the western part of Singapore.

Boo also said Putrajaya should prioritise a second RTS over the proposed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.

“Another RTS would be less costly and time-consuming (than the HSR), while enhancing connectivity to the Johor-Singapore special economic zone (SEZ), which would stimulate its growth more effectively and quickly,” he said in a statement.

The former Johor DAP chief maintained that the HSR could still proceed but should not be the priority given the higher costs and the government’s stand that it should be driven by the private sector.

Boo also urged the federal and state governments not to waste time in setting up a light rail transit (LRT) system in Johor, particularly connecting the Bukit Chagar RTS station to various parts of the SEZ.

He said this would be key to facilitating the large number of commuters during peak hours at the border with Singapore.

Due for completion in 2026, the RTS Link is a 4km LRT shuttle service connecting the Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru and the Woodlands North station in Singapore.

The shuttle service is expected to serve up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction during peak periods.

Johor executive councillor Fazli Salleh recently said Putrajaya was mulling constructing a LRT or tram-bus network in Johor Bahru to complement the RTS Link.