Don’t be alarmed by loud bangs: Singapore police announce RTS Link security exercise from 3pm today

The Singapore police’s Rapid Deployment Troops (RDT) during an emergency response exercise in February this year. — AsiaOne pic

First Published: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 11:38 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Nov 11 — An overnight multi-agency exercise will take place at the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link)’s Woodlands North station today.

Announcing this in a social media post yesterday, the police said that the exercise will involve the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The exercise is expected to begin at 3pm today and end at about 2am tomorrow.

During the exercise, blank ammunition and pyrotechnics will be used, the police said, adding that members of the public may hear loud sounds and see an increased presence of Home Team officers in the vicinity of the exercise location.

The exercise area will be demarcated by cordons and “Exercise-in-Progress” signages.

“Members of the public are advised to keep clear of cordoned-off areas and follow officers’ instructions,” the police said.

It also advised the public not to be alarmed by the activities and to contact the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 should they require police assistance.

This multi-agency effort follows a recent emergency response exercise which involved security and border agencies from Singapore and Malaysia on Oct 27.

The RTS Link is expected to begin passenger service in February 2027.

RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), the joint venture company operating the cross-border rail link, said in a statement on October 2 that all system tests and trial runs are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.

Once passenger service begins, the 4km shuttle from Woodlands North station to Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru will operate at a maximum speed of 80kmh and can accommodate up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. — AsiaOne