THE government is looking at subsidies for Malaysians on the Rapid Transit System (RTS) link to Singapore, said Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong

This is because while ticket prices will be the same for both Malaysian and Singaporean commuters, the fares will be charged in their respective currencies.

The use of both currencies will apply when travellers pay from the country they depart from.

“The ticket price will be the same for both Singaporeans and Malaysians. But the currency will be different. Malaysians will pay in ringgit if entering from Malaysia. 

“If you enter from Singapore, regardless of whether they are Malaysians or Singaporeans, they need to pay in Singaporean currency. The price will be the same but the currency is different,” Wee said when answering a question in Dewan Rakyat today. 

The Ayer Hitam MP was replying to Akmal Nasrullah Nasir (Johor Baru-PH), who asked for a status update on the 4km rail project connecting Johor Baru to Singapore, which has been facing delays.

Wee added that Putrajaya is working on a mechanism to subsidise Malaysians who will use the RTS to travel to Singapore for work daily.

“We do not want them to fully support the cost. We are looking for ways to benefit the people who need to travel to Singapore.”

On the project’s status, Wee said another RM500 million will be added to the cost of the project, which was initially estimated at RM3.16 billion.

Construction is to begin in January 2021 and the RTS is to be fully operational by the end of 2026.

“The construction of the RTS link will begin as soon they get all the approvals, scheduled for January 2021 and will start operating at the end of 2026,” Wee said.

The rail link connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands, Singapore, and is expected to be used by 10,000 commuters from Johor to the republic daily.

A signing ceremony for project-related agreements between Singapore and Malaysia will be held on July 31, to be witnessed by the prime ministers of both countries. – July 21, 2020.