SMRT, Prasarana Malaysia sign MOU to form joint venture for JB-Woodlands rail link

RAIL operators SMRT and Prasarana Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday to form a joint venture (JV) company for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rail Transport System (RTS) Link.

This development paves the way for both companies to work together, allowing commuters to travel via rail from Woodlands to Johor Bahru by Dec 31, 2024.

The RTS Link will serve the growing transportation needs and improve productivity between Singapore and Johor Bahru, said SMRT in a statement. The rail line is also expected to boost tourism between the two countries.

The MOU was inked by SMRT president and group CEO, Desmond Kuek, and Prasarana president and group CEO, Azmi Abdul Aziz at Prasarana's corporate headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Mr Kuek said: "We look forward to working closely with Prasarana. When the Thomson-East Coast Line is added to SMRT's MRT network from 2019, we will work towards integrating the commuter's travel experience on our network with the upcoming RTS Link."