JOHOR BARU: Mass Rapid Transit Corp (MRT Corp) is targeting a daily ridership of about 150,000 for the Rapid Transit System (RTS), expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the number represents about half of the 350,000 people who cross the Causeway daily.
"This would help reduce the congestion at the Causeway and improve connectivity between Johor Baru and Singapore," said Zarif.
He said the RTS would utilise eight sets of trains with each comprising four coaches.
"Each train will have a capacity of 250 passengers. The frequency will be 3.6 minutes during peak hours and six minutes during off peak hours.
"The journey between Johor Baru and Singapore will take about five minutes," said Zarif.
He said the ticket prices for the RTS have yet to be finalised but will be competitive to attract more passengers.
He was speaking to the media after the ground breaking ceremony of the RTS station in Bukit Chagar by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, which was conducted virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also present were Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
The RTS will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru and Woodlands North in Singapore, covering a distance of four kilometres.
Zarif said MRT Corp has targeted the RTS project to be completed and operational by Dec 31, 2026.
"For the Malaysian side, the infrastructure works will be carried out by Malaysian Rapid Transit System Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MRT Corp.
"The RTS operations will be carried out by RTS Operations Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Prasarana Corp Bhd and SMRT Corp Ltd," said Zarif.
He said the infrastructure works in Malaysia would include a station and immigration, customs and quarantine (ICQ) complex in Bukit Chagar as well as a depot in Wadi Hana.
"The station and ICQ complex is located on a 1.49 ha site while the depot is located on a 5.26 ha site."
He also said that Bumiputera contractors in Johor will be allocated 40 per cent of the construction portion of the project worth RM2 billion.
"This amounts to about RM800 million. Details on the tender for these contracts are expected to be announced by the relevant state exco next week," said Zarif.
In July, Wee said the RTS project is expected to cost almost RM10 billion which will be shared by Malaysia and Singapore at a ratio of 61:39.
"Malaysia will bear 39 per cent 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.