Johor–Singapore RTS Link Fare Expected at RM15 to RM22 Per Trip

Photo: NST. Malaysia’s long-awaited Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is moving closer to reality, and commuters can expect ticket prices to be revealed in the second half of 2026.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said fares are expected to range between S$5 and S$7 per trip (around RM15 to RM22). While that may be higher than taking public transport in the Klang Valley, he stressed that the RTS will still be far more cost-effective than driving into Singapore, especially with Singapore’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee set to rise to S$50 (RM150) per day from 2027.

The RTS Link is a 4km cross-border rail connection linking Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru directly to Woodlands North MRT station in Singapore. The journey will take just five minutes, offering a fast and seamless alternative to the heavily congested Johor Causeway.

Once operational, the system will deploy driverless trains capable of carrying up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction, significantly easing daily congestion between the two countries. At the Bukit Chagar Integrated Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex, 100 immigration e-gate lanes will be installed to streamline border clearance.

The cross-border rail project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. When it begins service, it will replace KTM’s Shuttle Tebrau service, which currently charges RM5 from JB to Woodlands and S$5 (RM15) in the opposite direction. 

Fares for the RTS are set by RTS Operations, a joint venture between Malaysia’s Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and Singapore’s SMRT Corporation. 

According to Loke, pricing is determined based on commercial principles. Singapore will not be subsidising the service, which makes discounted monthly passes or special concessions difficult to implement, particularly as Malaysia will not subsidise Singaporean commuters either.

The Dewan Rakyat recently passed the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link Bill 2026, paving the way for full operations. With construction progressing steadily, the RTS Link is expected to transform cross-border travel, offering a faster, more reliable and more efficient alternative to road travel between Johor Bahru and Singapore.