SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) recently asked the Ministry of Transport if it would consider retaining the Shuttle Tebrau service to Johor Bahru after the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link begins operations.

Continuing the shuttle’s services would enable an alternative cross-border travel option, Mr Chua said. In a Facebook post on Monday morning (Nov 27), he wrote that the KTM Shuttle Tebrau brings Singaporeans to JB for less than S$5 in a five-minute trip. Tickets for the shuttle are largely sold out on weekends and holidays.

Work on the RTS Link is over 50 per cent complete, and operations are scheduled to begin early in 2027. The link will be an important part of the solution to the persistent traffic problems on the Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia, which is used by around 300,000 people daily. Travel time for commuters would be cut to just five minutes on the link.

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The MP wrote that “a quick check online suggests that tickets are practically sold out for the practical times (i.e. unless you’re keen to enter JB in the evenings) for the entire December,” and added, “What’s not well known is that the start of the RTS link, will mean the end of the Shuttle Tebrau Service.”

He also cited a CNA report from Oct 26 that said Mr Anthony Like, Malaysia’s Transport Minister, is eager for the shuttle service to continue and wants to negotiate this with Singapore.

“Commuters interviewed by CNA seem to prefer the option of having two train services – this to me is a sensible option at least in the near term, rather than strictly ceasing operations within 6 months,” wrote Mr Chua, who also posted the reply to his question from the acting Transport Minister, Mr Chee Hong Tat.

Mr Chee said, “The RTS Link will have a peak capacity of 10,000 people per hour per direction. In comparison, the KTM Tebrau shuttle currently has a maximum capacity of less than 10,000 people per day. Beyond the RTS Link, cross-border bus and ferry services will continue to be available to commuters after RTS Link service commencement, as alternative travel modes.”

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Mr Chua ended his post by writing, “While our acting Minister did not respond to my question on whether this will be considered (and if not, why not), I hope it means that the door remains open to keeping the Shuttle Tebrau running!”

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