JB-S’pore RTS to use LRT system, targets 10,000 commuters hourly

THE Rapid Transit System (RTS) project linking Johor Baru and Singapore will use the light rail transit (LRT) system, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the decision was made following a review on the proposed project.

“We have been looking at the scopes or specifications for the project and considered the use of the LRT system, which is similar to the one (operated) in Kuala Lumpur, whose maintenance could be done in Malaysia.

“We have proposed this to Singapore and are discussing the matter, but we have received positive response. We are not only looking at construction cost, but also operations and passenger fare (among others).

“Previously, it was proposed that the project use the MRT or Mass Rapid Transit system, similar to the one in Singapore. However, we found that the LRT system is sufficient for the rail project with only two stations, namely Bukit Chagar in Johor and Woodlands in Singapore.

“Passengers who disembark at the Woodlands station will have connectivity with Singapore’s MRT. RTS targets 10,000 passengers hourly per route,” he said in his winding-up speech on the 2020 Budget.

Loke, who was addressing inquiries by members of parliament, said the initial RM4.9 billion cost stated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad included land acquisition.

Dr Mahathir had said Malaysia would proceed at a new cost of RM3.16 billion.

He had said the reduced cost (by about 36 per cent or RM1.77 billion from the initial amount of RM4.93 billion) was reached following a review of the proposal.

The government had requested the suspension of the project, which was approved during the previous administration, as it wanted more time to decide on whether to proceed with it or to amend the initial proposal.

The six-month suspension that was supposed to end on Sept 30 was extended to Oct 31.

The project is targeted for completion by 2024.