ASIA: The first trainset for the Rapid Transit System Link cross-border metro line was unveiled by Singapore’s Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke at the Singapore Rail Test Centre on June 30.
CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive is supplying eight automated driverless trainsets for the 4 km cross-border line which will run from Woodlands North in Singapore to Bukit Chagar in Malaysia. The 76·5 m long four-car trainsets will have a capacity of more than 600 passengers. The livery is inspired by the colours of the flags of Malaysia, the state of Johor and Singapore.
The line will be operated by the RTS Operations joint venture of Prasarana RTS Operations and SMRT RTS.
RTSO will test the first trainset at SRTC over the next few months, followed by additional testing on the RTS Link. Carrying out initial testing at the recently-completed SRTC is intended to allow RTSO to resolve potential integration issues early, to streamline the overall timeline for the project.
The RTS Link is expected to open in by December 2026, offering a peak capacity of up to 10 000 passengers/direction/h to significantly enhance cross-border connectivity across the Straits of Johor and help ease road congestion on the nearby causeway. The journey time will be around 5 min, with customs, immigration and quarantine formalities completed at the departure station in each direction.
