RTS Link aims to fast track immigration clearance in a matter of seconds

The Bukit Chagar Integrated Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex will have 100 e-gate lanes to support immigration clearance once the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link service starts in January next year. Aug 18, 2026. — Picture by Ben Tan

First Published: Tuesday, 18 Aug 2026 11:44 AM MYT

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 18 — The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link service is expected to take only several seconds to complete a passenger’s immigration procedure once it isfully operational by early next year.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation’s (MRT Corp) RTS Link project director Zulkifli Mohamed said passengers do not need to queue long for these procedures as there are 100 e-gate lanes at the Bukit Chagar Integrated Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex.

He said the ICQ complex will have an advanced passenger and baggage-screening system to facilitate faster cross-border clearance.

“Once passengers are at the arrival hall, they will go through body scanners before proceeding to the e-gate lanes.

“To avoid congestion, especially during peak hours, the e-gate lanes have been set up to support immigration clearance using QR codes or passports,” he said at a briefing session with media practitioners here yesterday.

Zulkifli said that in the event that the scanners detect any prohibited items, the duty officer will then direct the traveller to a secondary counter for further checks.

“This is to avoid disrupting the flow for other passengers.

“The systems allow us to monitor in real time and ensure that any issues can be detected and dealt with immediately,” he said, adding that the objective was to minimise congestion and ensure a smooth movement.

The journey by RTS Link that connects the Bukit Chagar station here with the Woodlands North station in Singapore is expected to take about five minutes.

The Bukit Chagar ICQ complex will be equipped with 10 security screening lanes for physical inspections, 18 baggage scanners, and a special lane for passengers without luggage.

This will support the highly anticipated Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link route that is expected to start operations by January 2027.

The ICQ complex will house government agencies such as the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) for enforcement purposes.

The ICQ complex is also equipped with other facilities for convenience such as a nursing room, surau and self-service ticket kiosks.

The four-kilometre RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North station in Singapore.

With a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the service is expected to handle approximately 40,000 commuters daily upon its official opening in January next year.

The RTS Link is also expected to attract a substantial number of Malaysians who travel back and forth between Johor Bahru and Singapore for work on a daily basis.

At present, 350,000 Malaysians cross the Johor Causeway for work, making it one of the busiest border crossing in the world.