RTS Link, Johor–Singapore SEZ & JB Property Outlook

 

🚄 RTS Link and the Johor–Singapore SEZ: A New Era of Cross-Border Connectivity

🔹 What is the RTS Link?

The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is a major cross-border rail project connecting Bukit Chagar (Johor Bahru) to Woodlands North (Singapore).

• 8 driverless train sets, each with 4 cars
• Capacity: Over 600 passengers per train
• Peak hourly capacity: 10,000 passengers per direction
• Expected to launch by December 2026
• Co-located CIQ facilities for seamless border clearance

🔹 Latest Milestone

On July 1, 2025, the first train set was unveiled at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC). The train, manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou, is undergoing Offsite System Integration Testing (OSIT).

Additional train sets are being assembled in Batu Gajah, Malaysia and will eventually be tested at the Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Bahru.

🟢 What is the Johor–Singapore SEZ?

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) between Johor and Singapore is a bilateral initiative aimed at enhancing cross-border economic cooperation.

• Signed in January 2024
• Focus on digital economy, green energy, logistics, and manufacturing
• Incentives: Tax benefits, simplified customs, and business mobility

🤝 How Are the RTS Link and SEZ Connected?

While the RTS Link is not part of the SEZ, it plays a critical enabling role:

• Facilitates commuting and workforce mobility
• Reduces border congestion
• Supports business travel and investment activity
• Reinforces economic integration between Johor and Singapore

In essence, the RTS Link is the transport backbone that will help the SEZ thrive.

🏘️ Real Estate Outlook: Johor Bahru Property Set to Rise

The combination of the RTS Link and SEZ is sparking growing interest in Johor Bahru’s real estate market.

• Areas near Bukit Chagar station and Wadi Hana Depot are seeing increased investor attention.
• Expected price appreciation as accessibility and economic activity rise.
• Foreign and Singaporean interest in JB property is increasing due to proximity and cost advantages.
• Developments in Iskandar Malaysia and Medini may benefit as spillover zones.

As completion nears in 2026, many experts expect property values in well-located JB areas to grow significantly — making this a window of opportunity for early investors.

📍 Stay tuned for more updates as the RTS Link nears completion, the SEZ progresses, and Johor Bahru transforms into a cross-border growth hub.