JOHOR BAHRU (Aug 18): An official announcement on the fare for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link service will be made jointly by the transport ministries of both countries in the near future.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said discussions on the matter had so far been progressing smoothly and positively.

“Soon, the fare announcement will be made by the Malaysian and Singaporean governments.

“This is a bilateral project. Therefore, any official announcement regarding key dates for operations, as well as the fare will be made jointly by the transport ministers of Malaysia and Singapore,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with a visit to review the progress and operational readiness of the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link Project at the RTS Link Bukit Chagar Station here on Tuesday.

He said this when asked whether the RTS Link fare had been finalised.

Loke said RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) was now at the final stage of discussions with the Malaysian and Singaporean governments to finalise the fare and payment mechanism for the RTS Link.

He said that in determining the fare, RTSO was taking a balanced approach by taking into account the interests of users.

“RTSO is also taking into account long-term operational sustainability, as well as the value that will be derived from a safe, fast, reliable and comfortable cross-border rail service,” he said.

Loke was previously reported as saying that RTSO, the operator of the RTS Link service, was conducting a study on the fare before it was expected to be finalised in the third quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, when asked about his visit on Tuesday, Loke said he was satisfied with the physical progress and level of comfort of the RTS Link.

He said passengers would enjoy various facilities at the RTS Link, but would also have to go through several layers of the system to use the service.

In this regard, he said his ministry would ensure that MRT provided sufficient signage for the convenience of users.

“There will be many components that you (passengers) have to go through. Therefore, I have asked MRT Corp to ensure that more signage is installed,” he said.

The RTS Link is scheduled to begin operations on Jan 1 next year and is expected to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

The system will connect the RTS Link Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore.

Read also:
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Govt to build RM60 mil bridge between Bukit Chagar RTS Station and KTMB Komuter — Loke
Malaysian CIQ complex, RTS station built as separate structures due to Singapore’s Public Utilities Board pipelines, says Loke
RTS Link could bring over RM3b additional spending to Johor Bahru each year — study
Opinion: Johor and federal govts should be equal partners on Johor-Singapore SEZ, related policies — Ong Kian Ming 

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