RM60m Direct Link Bridge for RTS and Komuter Approved

RM60 Million Direct Link Bridge Between RTS Link Bukit Chagar Station and KTM Komuter Approved

The RM60 million direct link bridge connecting the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link's Bukit Chagar station with the KTM Komuter JB Sentral station is a government-funded pedestrian bridge project approved by Malaysia's Economy Ministry and executed by the Transport Ministry. The project, announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, aims to create a seamless pedestrian connection that eliminates the need for commuters to make a large loop through the existing path in JB Sentral, thereby encouraging greater use of public transport for those heading to or departing from Bukit Chagar. This infrastructure development addresses the critical need for efficient first-mile and last-mile connectivity in the Johor Bahru urban area, directly serving the thousands of daily cross-border commuters who rely on both the RTS Link and KTM Komuter services.

Key Facts

What Is the RM60 Million RTS Link Direct Bridge Project?

The RM60 million project is an approved pedestrian bridge that will directly link the upcoming RTS Link's Bukit Chagar station with the existing KTM Komuter JB Sentral station, providing a more direct walking route for transferring passengers. This government-funded infrastructure was approved by the economy ministry and will be carried out by the transport ministry shortly, with an expected completion period of around 12 months.

The bridge addresses a specific connectivity gap identified by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who noted that current passengers must make a significant detour through JB Sentral to transfer between services. The new direct link is designed to streamline this journey and promote higher public transport ridership for cross-border travel between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

"This will assist many passengers. We want to encourage RTS Link users to use public transport to head to Bukit Chagar to or depart from there,"

— Transport Minister Anthony Loke, as reported by Bernama via Astro Awani

The RM60 million direct link bridge will connect the RTS Link Bukit Chagar station and KTM Komuter JB Sentral station within a 12-month construction timeline, reducing the current need for a lengthy detour through the existing JB Sentral path.

Why Is This Bridge Important for Johor Bahru-Singapore Commuters?

This bridge is important because it directly improves the transfer experience for commuters using both the KTM Komuter service and the upcoming RTS Link, which is designed to provide a high-speed rail connection between Johor Bahru and Singapore. By creating a dedicated pedestrian bridge between Bukit Chagar and JB Sentral, the project eliminates an inconvenient and time-consuming loop that currently discourages multimodal public transport use.

This project supports the broader goal of encouraging RTS Link users to rely on public transport for their entire journey rather than driving to the station. The integration of KTM Komuter services with the RTS Link creates a more cohesive regional transport network for the estimated hundreds of thousands of daily commuters travelling between Malaysia and Singapore. This development is a key piece of Malaysia's strategy to reduce cross-border road congestion and provide a viable alternative to the Causeway and Second Link crossings.

This direct link is a critical component of the JB-Singapore transport ecosystem because it integrates the KTM Komuter network with the RTS Link, removing a significant physical barrier to seamless public transport transfers.

What Is the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) 2.0 Plan?

The Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) 2.0 is a complementary government initiative that will introduce at least 200 new buses to serve neighbourhoods around Johor Bahru, providing feeder services to the Bukit Chagar RTS Link station. This bus service transformation is being planned separately from the direct link bridge but shares the common objective of enhancing public transport accessibility to the RTS Link.

The SBST 2.0 plan recognises that a successful rail system requires robust first-mile and last-mile connectivity. By expanding the bus network around Johor Bahru neighbourhoods, the government aims to ensure that residents can conveniently access the RTS Link without relying on private vehicles. The integration of these bus services with the new pedestrian bridge at Bukit Chagar will create a fully connected public transport network for the Johor Bahru metropolitan area.

The SBST 2.0 plan will add at least 200 new buses serving Johor Bahru neighbourhoods to Bukit Chagar, creating essential feeder connections that complement the new RM60 million pedestrian bridge at the RTS Link station.

When Will the RTS Link Open and What Will It Cost?

The official opening date and fare structure for the RTS Link have not yet been announced, as these details will be jointly determined and revealed by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore in the near future. As of the latest available information, no specific date or fare pricing has been disclosed to the public.

The joint announcement reflects the cross-border nature of this infrastructure project, which requires agreement between both nations on operational matters. Commuters are advised to monitor official government channels from both Malaysia and Singapore for the forthcoming announcement regarding the RTS Link's start date and pricing structure. The completion of the direct link bridge and the RTS Link itself will mark a significant milestone in Malaysia-Singapore transport connectivity.

The RTS Link's fare structure and opening date will be jointly announced by Malaysia and Singapore in the near future, with no specific dates or pricing disclosed as of the latest report.

Who Is This Project For in Malaysia?

This project is specifically designed for Malaysian commuters who travel regularly between Johor Bahru and Singapore, as well as local residents in the Johor Bahru area who require efficient public transport access to the RTS Link and KTM Komuter networks. The primary beneficiaries are daily cross-border workers who currently face congestion on the Causeway and those who rely on KTM Komuter services for regional travel within Malaysia.

The direct link bridge is particularly relevant for Johor Bahru residents living in neighbourhoods serviced by the new SBST 2.0 bus routes, as it provides the final connection piece between local bus services, regional rail, and the international RTS Link. The project also benefits Singapore-based commuters who travel into Johor Bahru for work or leisure, creating a more efficient and pleasant transfer experience at the Bukit Chagar transport hub.

This project serves the estimated large volume of daily cross-border commuters and Johor Bahru residents who need integrated public transport connections between local buses, KTM Komuter rail services, and the international RTS Link to Singapore.

Common Questions

How much will the RTS Link direct bridge cost and who approved it?

The direct link bridge between RTS Link Bukit Chagar station and KTM Komuter JB Sentral will cost RM60 million and has been approved by the economy ministry. The transport ministry will carry out the project, with Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirming the approval and timeline.

How long will it take to build the RTS Link to KTM Komuter bridge?

The construction of the RM60 million direct link bridge will take approximately 12 months to complete. Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated this timeline when announcing the project's approval to the media in Johor Bahru, as reported by Bernama.

What is the SBST 2.0 bus service plan for Johor Bahru?

The Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) 2.0 is a separate government plan that will introduce at least 200 new buses serving neighbourhoods around Johor Bahru to Bukit Chagar. This bus expansion complements the direct link bridge by improving feeder services to the RTS Link station.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Paul Tan's Automotive News report titled "RM60m direct link bridge between RTS Link Bukit Chagar station and KTM Komuter approved, 12 months to build," published on 19 August 2026. The original report cites Transport Minister Anthony Loke's statements to the media in Johor Bahru, as reported by Bernama and published via Astro Awani.

The source material was localised for Malaysian audiences with all currency figures retained in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) as presented in the original source. No currency conversions were required as the source already used RM. All quoted statements, project costs, and timelines are taken directly from the source material. The RTS Link fare and opening date information was cross-referenced within the source's internal links to earlier Paul Tan's reporting.

This article was last updated on 19 August 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the original Paul Tan's Automotive News source and the cited Bernama report via Astro Awani.