The first train for the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has arrived in Singapore, and will begin testing at the new S$800 million (RM2.6 billion) Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) facility in Tuas from July, the Straits Times reports.
The new four-car train, measuring 76.5 metres in length, is one of the eight units that will be utilised on the route when the RTS Link starts service at the target date of December 2026. Testing at SRTC, which will focus on ensuring that the trains’ systems integrate smoothly, is expected to conclude in late 2025.
Following this, the train will undergo service simulation trials between Woodlands North in Singapore and Bukit Chagar in Johor until the third quarter of 2026.
Four more trains are now being assembled at CRRC’s facility in Batu Gajah, Perak, with the remaining three to follow later. Once completed, all the trains will be sent directly to Johor Baru’s Wadi Hana depot for further trials before the RTS Link opens.
The 4 km journey between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru will take about 5 minutes, with the shortest wait for a train being 3.6 minutes. The first trains will depart from each end of the line at 6 am, while the last trains will depart at 12 am every day, with the line having a peak capacity of 10,000 passengers an hour in each direction.
Built by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Zuzhou Locomotive, each train has an optimal capacity of 607 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 1,087 passengers. Each train car is equipped with 32 seats, including four foldable ones to accommodate wheelchairs, prams, or luggage.
According to RTS Operations, the overall installation of systems for the RTS Link is 56% complete, including the laying of tracks and the installation of the power system that will run the trains. It added that rack installation is expected to be finished by the end of July.
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