THE government will ensure that the fares for the proposed Rapid Transit System (RTS) connecting Singapore and Malaysia will not be costly, said Transport Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said the government has to consider the interests of the rakyat when fixing the rates for the  RTS, which is scheduled for completion in 2026.

“It will not be costly. We have to consider the B40 group and those who are daily commuters,” he told a press conference on the resumption of the RTS project here today.

“He said the fares would be the same but in the local currency in Malaysia and Singapore and that they will be announced before the RTS commences operation. –

Wee denied rumours that the fare will be fixed at S$10 (RM30).

“We have to care for the interests of people. Your figure is incorrect. That is all I can confirm,” he said.

Asked if the current economic situation would result in delays or an increase in costs, Wee said he is confident that the project would be developed according to schedule.

“This project will be treated with urgency because of the Johor Causeway congestion. Both countries have held implementation discussions, and the first four years is for public infrastructure and the next year for its system.

“So it will be on schedule and begin operation at the end of 2026.”

Meanwhile, in a joint statement today, Malaysia and Singapore said they have successfully concluded three key agreements necessary to resume the RTS project.

They have agreed to amend the RTS Link Bilateral Agreement and signed a joint-venture agreement between Singapore’s SMRT RTS Pte. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMRT Corporation Limited, and Malaysia’s Prasarana RTS Operations Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, to constitute RTS Operations Pte Ltd as an operator (OpCo).

In addition, the Malaysian government and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority have also signed a concession agreement to appoint RTS Operations as the OpCo for the first 30-year concession period.

“Today’s event marks the culmination of several months of hard work, during which officials on both sides worked closely to find a common way forward on this project, despite the challenges faced during the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic,” said the statement.

Both countries said the successful resumption of the RTS Link Project underscores the deep and enduring bilateral relationship between the two countries, and the collective desire to strengthen their win-win partnership.

“When completed, the RTS Link will ease Causeway congestion, improve connectivity, foster people-to-people ties and generate shared economic and social benefits,” said the statement.

The project is expected to cost about RM3.7 billion. – Bernama, July 30, 2020.