Johor MB: RTS badly needed to ease Causeway congestion

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): The Johor government wants the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project to take off soon to ease congestion on the Causeway.

“We hope to see the project take place by the middle of 2019,” The Star daily reported Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian telling the media after attending the Corruption-Free Pledge with the state executive councillors in Johor Bahru today.

He said that congestion at the Causeway “had already reached a point where something must be done to address the matter”.

Osman also hoped that there would no delays in starting the project.

In May, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching called on the government to expedite the completion of the RTS link.

"I am delighted to know that our Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reaffirmed our commitment to implement the [RTS] project.

"But it will be better if we can fast-track this project because it will definitely make border crossing less of a hassle and more efficient by reducing congestion on the Causeway by up to 15%," she said.

A working paper on the RTS will be presented to the cabinet in the near future, Loke said last month.

He said that although the government had agreed in principle to the implementation of the RTS project, detailed information about it is still needed to be brought to the cabinet for approval.

“The government remains committed to implement the RTS project…in terms of cost, the cabinet approval is needed,” he said.

The RTS project costing RM4 billion will operate from Bukit Chagar in Johor to the Woodlands North station in Singapore.

It is expected to transport up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction when completed in 2024.