At a glance
- Opening
- February 2027 (pushed back from end-2026 on 2 Oct 2026)
- Stations
- Bukit Chagar (JB) and Woodlands North (Singapore)
- Ride time
- About 5 minutes, 4 km
- Fare
- Not final. Indicated at RM15.50 to RM21.70 (about S$5 to S$7) one way
- Hours
- Planned 6am to midnight daily
- Frequency
- Every 3.6 minutes at peak
- Immigration
- Both countries cleared once, at the departure station
When does the RTS Link open?
February 2027. The original target was the end of 2026, and on 2 October 2026 Malaysia said passenger service would start about two months later. The tracks, trains and stations are substantially complete. What is missing is the sign-off from an independent safety assessor, which RTS Operations needs before it can carry passengers. Trial runs and system tests are still scheduled to finish by 31 December 2026, and both governments are aiming to open before Hari Raya 2027.
We cover what the delay changes for commuters and buyers in our update on the February 2027 delay. This page is updated whenever an official date or fare is announced.
Route and stations
The line is 4 km long with two stations and no stops in between.
| Bukit Chagar | Woodlands North | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia (Johor Bahru) | Singapore |
| Next to | JB Sentral, City Square, Komtar JBCC | Woodlands North MRT on the Thomson–East Coast Line |
| Immigration | Malaysian and Singapore checks for trips into Singapore | Singapore and Malaysian checks for trips into JB |
| Station guide | Bukit Chagar RTS station | Woodlands North RTS station |
Trains cross the Strait of Johor on a viaduct beside the Causeway. Top speed is 80 km/h, and the ride takes about five minutes.
Fares and how to pay
There is no official fare yet. The figure most often quoted comes from Malaysia’s transport minister in February 2026: RM15.50 to RM21.70 per trip, which works out to about S$5 to S$7. In April 2026 Singapore’s Ministry of Transport said RTS Operations would set fares on a commercial basis and announce them later, and that neither country would subsidise commuters from the other side.
Off-peak fares and season passes have been talked about but not confirmed. Payment methods are also unconfirmed. Contactless bank cards and stored-value cards are the working assumption in most coverage. We’ll add the official fare table here the day it is published.
Immigration: one stop, not two
This is the part that changes the commute most. Both countries have officers at both stations, so you clear Singapore exit and Malaysia entry together before you board, and you simply walk out when you arrive. The law allowing this was passed by both parliaments in 2026.
At Bukit Chagar the immigration hall has 100 automated e-gates, each clearing a traveller in about seven seconds, plus 10 security lanes and 18 baggage scanners. Expect queues in the first weeks after opening and on Friday evenings, as with any new crossing.
Capacity, frequency and hours
Eight driverless four-car trains run the line. Each carries about 600 passengers normally and around 1,100 at full crush. At peak, a train leaves every 3.6 minutes, which adds up to about 10,000 passengers an hour in each direction.
Planned hours are 6am to midnight every day. Ridership is projected at about 40,000 a day at launch, rising to around 140,000.
RTS vs the bus, the KTM shuttle and driving
| Option | Typical time, Woodlands to JB city | Cost one way | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTS Link | About 15 to 20 min door to door | S$5 to S$7 (indicative) | One immigration stop, from Feb 2027 |
| KTM Shuttle Tebrau | About 30 min station to station | About S$5 from Woodlands | Limited trips, small capacity |
| Bus 170 or Causeway Link | 60 to 180 min at weekends | About S$2.20 | Two immigration stops, traffic dependent |
| Car | 30 min on a quiet day, 3 hours or more on a Friday night | Toll and fuel, plus vehicle entry permit charges | Most affected by jams |
Times and costs are typical figures reported by travel and news sites in 2026, not timed by us. We’ll replace them with our own timings in opening week.
Who will use it most
Time Out puts the long-term ridership at 30 to 40 per cent of current Causeway traffic, so the RTS will carry a large share of daily commuters. The people who gain most are those who live within walking distance of Bukit Chagar and work near a Thomson–East Coast Line station in Singapore. Their trip loses the two immigration queues and the traffic, which on a bad day is two hours each way.
That is also why property around Bukit Chagar has drawn so much interest from Singaporeans. If you’re weighing a condo near the station, start with our comparison of condos near Bukit Chagar RTS and the rules for Singaporeans buying in JB.
Common questions
When will the RTS Link open?
Passenger service is expected in February 2027. Malaysia's transport ministry announced the delay on 2 October 2026 because the line still needs independent safety certification. Testing is planned to finish by 31 December 2026, and the target is to start before Hari Raya 2027.
How much will the RTS Link cost?
Fares have not been set. In February 2026 Malaysia's transport minister indicated RM15.50 to RM21.70 per trip, about S$5 to S$7. RTS Operations will set the final fares commercially, and neither government plans to subsidise the other side's commuters.
Do I need to clear immigration twice?
No. Singapore and Malaysia checks both happen at the station you leave from. Going to JB, you clear both at Woodlands North and walk out at Bukit Chagar. Coming back, you clear both at Bukit Chagar.
How long does the whole trip take?
The train ride is about five minutes. Door to door, including security and the e-gates, expect roughly 15 to 20 minutes from station entrance to station exit when queues are normal.
Will the KTM Shuttle Tebrau stop running?
Yes. Malaysia's transport minister said on 8 October 2026 that, under the bilateral agreement, the Shuttle Tebrau will be discontinued six months after the RTS Link starts. With a February 2027 opening, that points to around August 2027.
Can I take luggage on the RTS?
Yes. The Bukit Chagar immigration hall has 18 baggage scanners and separate lanes for people travelling without luggage.
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 12 October 2026.
- Malay Mail: Shuttle Tebrau to stop six months after RTS starts (8 Oct 2026)
- Mothership: why the RTS Link is delayed to February 2027
- Malay Mail: RTS Link service start pushed back to February 2027
- The Star: RTS delayed to Feb 2027 to iron out the kinks
- Wikipedia: Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System
- Time Out Singapore: RTS ticket prices, e-gates and what we know
- YouTrip: RTS Link guide
Read next
UpdateRTS Link Delayed to February 2027: What Changed and What It Means
The JB–Singapore RTS Link will now open in February 2027 instead of end-2026. Why it slipped, what is already finished, and what it means for commuters and JB buyers.
Area guideBukit Chagar RTS Station: Location, Walking Routes and Where to Live Nearby
Where Bukit Chagar RTS station is, how it connects to JB Sentral and City Square, how immigration works there, and which condos sit within walking distance.
Area guideWoodlands North RTS Station: The Singapore End of the RTS Link
How Woodlands North RTS station works: the Thomson–East Coast Line connection, immigration before you board, and what it means for JB commuters.
ComparisonCondos Near Bukit Chagar RTS: Distance, Price and What Singaporeans Can Buy
Nine condos near the Bukit Chagar RTS station compared by distance, starting price, tenure and foreign-buyer rules, with the checks to make before you book.