Passengers using the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link in future will have direct access to a mixed-use development – comprising a retail mall, hotel, apartments and car park – linked to the RTS station in Johor.
The RM2.6 billion (US$582 million) development will be a public-private partnership between Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and local conglomerate Sunway Group.
Both sides signed a strategic partnership agreement on Thursday (Feb 13) witnessed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The 1.71-hectare (17,100 sq m) development, which will be integrated with the Bukit Chagar RTS Link station and Johor Bahru’s immigration complex, is set to be built over about eight years.
It is the first integrated development of such a scale to be built in Johor. Construction is scheduled to begin next month.
Its multi-storey car park will have 1,550 car lots and over 1,000 motorcycle lots. In its first phase, the motorcycle lots and about 850 car lots are expected to be completed by Nov 30, 2026, in time for the start of RTS Link operations in end-2026.
Its serviced apartments as well as other amenities – which include education facilities and a health and wellness hub – are expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2033.
No further details were given on how many retail outlets, apartment units or hotel rooms the project will house.
Plans for an integrated mixed-use development at Bukit Chagar station were previously announced and MRT Corp had, in 2023, inked a deal with Hong Kong property developer MTR Corp.
Officials did not explain on Thursday why the agreement with MTR Corp failed to materialise.
But Loke said the government-private sector partnership between MRT Corp and Sunway would “showcase to the world what a Malaysian developer can do”.
“This is a model featuring rail and property that is viable for the long term,” said Loke.
The development will be linked to surrounding roads and works will be carried out to minimise future congestion, he added.
"During peak hours, we also hope that passengers will use the mall and other services in the area to ensure there is smooth traffic dispersal," he said.
The mixed-use development will connect with other transport services in Johor Bahru including the KTM electric train service, city buses and a future intra-city public rail service called autonomous rail rapid transit (ART).
Loke announced on Thursday that the Malaysian federal government has decided on the ART - a public bus-tram network - ahead of a light rail transit system to resolve southern Johor’s public transportation woes as it will take a shorter time to build.
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