Nation

RTS to cost close to RM10 billion

JOHOR BARU: The Rapid Transit System (RTS) project, which will commence early next year, is expected to cost almost RM10 billion.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the cost will be shared by Malaysia and Singapore at a ratio of 61:39.

"Malaysia will bear 39 per sent of the cost totalling RM3.7 billion while the rest will be borne by Singapore. This brings the total cost of the project to almost RM10 billion," said Wee.

He said the government will use allocations from the ministry's development expenditure (DE) for the project.

"Earlier, it was suggested that Danainfra Nasional Bhd would fund the project but the Cabinet decided that the ministry will use its DE for the project. The DE will be shown in the ministry's annual budget," said Wee.

He was speaking to the media at a Press conference on the RTS project at a hotel here. Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad and the ministry's secretary General Datuk Isham Ishak.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin met with his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on the Causeway in a ceremony to mark the official resumption of the project.

Wee said both countries were committed in making sure that the project was implemented according to schedule.

"There is an urgency for this project so we will make sure that it will follow the schedule that has been set," said Wee.

The project is expected to start in early 2021 and is divided into two phases with the first phase, for civil engineering works, to take four years and the second phase, for system works, to take two years.

Wee also said that passengers of RTS will only have to clear immigration once at the point of departure either in Malaysia or Singapore.

"Malaysian immigration officers will be stationed at the custom, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) in Singapore and vice versa," said Wee.

He said the government will take into account the interest of the people, including those in the B40 group and daily commuters, when deciding on the fare for RTS.

"The fare will not be costly. The fare will be announced when the project is close to begin operations" said Wee.

He said the decision to move the RTS service depot from Mandai in Singapore to Wadi Hana in Johor Baru was made after it was decided that RTS will utilise the light rapid transit (LRT) system instead of the mass rapid transit ((MRT) system.

"Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has the expertise in operating the LRT system, which is why we decided to build the depot here. In Singapore, they use the MRT system," said Wee.

He added the construction of the depot, which will be jointly owned by Malaysia and Singapore, will create some 1,500 jobs for locals.

"The depot will have commercial lots and 1,500 parking bays for the convenience of the public," said Wee.

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