Map of Rapid Transit System (RTS) route expected to be completed by 2024
Singapore’s Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan held a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke last week to talk about joint transportation projects like the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS).
“The ministers look forward to strengthening transport collaboration, and to bring the RTS Link project to fruition, which will ease congestion at our existing land checkpoints,” a representative from MOT told Channel NewsAsia.
While the RTS link is expected to lessen traffic congestion in the Causeway by a maximum of 15 percent upon its completion by 2024, that government of Singapore and Malaysia missed the deadline earlier this year to set-up a joint venture (JV) that will run the RTS. This is because the latter is currently looking into the contracts inked by the previous administration.
In July, Loke insisted that Malaysia is still committed in undertaking the RTS project, and a working paper pertaining to it will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
Aside from that, a MOT spokesperson revealed that Khaw talked with Malaysia’s Minister of Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali at Putrajaya “to continue the discussion they had on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.”
Previously, both ministers met in Singapore on 11 August to discuss the fate of the large-scale transport project that is estimated to cost RM110 billion (S$37 billion), and both had agreed to continue their talks.
In June, Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that they will negotiate with Singapore to defer the 350km rail project amidst Malaysia’s high federal debt of more than RM1 trillion (S$337.9 billion).
Eugenia Rosaline Shlaen edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories, email eugenia@propertyguru.com.sg
