Bukit chagar: The government has announced plans to construct a bridge connecting the Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station and the KTMB Komuter service. This initiative aims to enhance public transport integration and provide seamless access for passengers to the transit system.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the Ministry of Economy has approved the RM60 million project, which will be executed by the Ministry of Transport. The bridge will enable KTMB Komuter passengers to walk directly to the Bukit Chagar RTS Station, eliminating the need for a detour through JB Sentral. Loke emphasized the importance of this development in encouraging RTS Link users to utilize public transport to reach or exit from Bukit Chagar.
The project is projected to be completed within 12 months and will significantly reduce the distance between the Komuter station and the RTS Link. Additionally, the government is working on the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) 2.0, which will add at least 200 new buses to facilitate transportation from residential areas around Johor Bahru to Bukit Chagar. The agreement with the bus service operator is nearing finalization, pending approval from the Ministry of Finance.
The expansion of bus services is planned to align with the opening of the RTS Link, ensuring effective passenger dispersal. The Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station will integrate with JB Sentral, e-hailing services, and other public transport options, establishing a multi-modal public transport hub.
Meanwhile, the physical construction of the building, the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, and the RTS Link station has been completed. The project has entered the testing and commissioning phase, which includes system integration testing, followed by fault-free and trial runs to ensure full operational readiness before opening to the public.
The RTS Link is set to commence operations on January 1 next year, with an expected capacity to transport up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, connecting Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore.