KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): The Ministry of Transport (MOT) intends to initiate negotiations for the continuation of the current Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) Tebrau Shuttle service from Johor Bahru to Singapore, even after the Rapid Transit Service (RTS) begins its operations.

In response to a supplementary question raised by Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) during a session in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that according to the bilateral agreement between Malaysia and Singapore for the implementation of the RTS project, one of the agreed-upon conditions is the termination of the Tebrau Shuttle service six months after the RTS becomes operational.

"Nevertheless, I believe that enhancing connectivity between the two countries is advantageous and provides passengers with additional options. The ministry will endeavour to negotiate this matter with Singapore to maintain this service even after the RTS is operational," Loke added.

Additionally, Loke mentioned that the ministry has proposed to Singapore an increase in the frequency of Tebrau Shuttle services from the current 31 trips to 36 trips, and an increase in the number of coaches per train operation from four coaches to eight coaches.

"This enhancement would elevate the passenger capacity to up to 13,760 people per day. Currently, KTMB and the ministry are awaiting a response from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore," Loke said.

According to Loke, for the year 2023, the average daily passenger count for the shuttle service is 8,635 people, representing a 7% increase compared to the pre-Covid-19 passenger record of 8,077 people per day in 2019.

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