rtswoodlands.sg

RTS Link countdown, from the Woodlands end

The five-minute train from Woodlands North to Johor Bahru is due in February 2027. Here's the clock, what's been confirmed, what hasn't, and what's happening to Woodlands flat prices in the meantime.

By [Your name] · Updated 9 November 2026

Woodlands North → Bukit Chagar TE1 · Platform TBC Target Feb 2027
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Counting down to 1 February 2027, the start of the announced opening month. The real first day hasn't been published, so read this as “no earlier than”.

  1. 4 Sep 2026Woodlands North RTS station completed
  2. 2 Oct 2026Feb 2027 target announced
  3. End 2026Fares due; trial runs finish
  4. Feb 2027Target opening

Where things stand

As of 9 November 2026. I update this list when something is announced, and note it in the changelog at the bottom.

  • Done

    Woodlands North RTS station built. Construction was completed on 4 September 2026. It sits beside the Thomson–East Coast Line station.

  • Target

    Opening in February 2027. Announced 2 October 2026. Earlier targets were the end of 2026 and then January 2027.

  • In progress

    Testing and trial runs, due to finish by 31 December 2026.

  • Pending

    Safety certification and approvals from both governments. This is what the February date depends on.

  • Not announced

    Fares. Expected by the end of 2026, announced jointly.

  • Not announced

    Operating hours and ticketing, including which cards will work.

If you're making plans around it: the opening has moved three times already. If a lease, a job or a purchase depends on the train running by a certain month, allow for another delay.

How you'll get there

Line diagram: the RTS Link from Bukit Chagar across the Straits of Johor to Woodlands North, then the Thomson-East Coast Line south to Woodlands and Woodlands South Straits of Johor MALAYSIA SINGAPORE RTS Link · about 5 min Thomson–East Coast Line → city North–South Line Bukit Chagar Johor Bahru Woodlands North TE1 · RTS Woodlands TE2 · NS9 Woodlands South TE3
Line diagram, not a map. Woodlands North is the end of the Thomson–East Coast Line; the RTS Link starts beside it. From the North–South Line, change at Woodlands and go one stop north.

More on access, the steps through the station and what's still unknown on the Woodlands North page.

Why it matters on this side

The Causeway's problem is less the distance than not knowing how long the queue will be. A crossing that takes twenty minutes on Tuesday and two hours on Friday evening is hard to build a routine around. One immigration stop and a five-minute train make it something you can plan.

That's why people are watching Woodlands. Woodlands North goes from being the quiet end of the Thomson–East Coast Line to one of the only two stations on a cross-border line. If you own, rent or are thinking of buying in Woodlands, Admiralty or Marsiling, the question is whether that's already in the price. The prices page lets you check with real HDB transactions.

Common questions

When does the RTS Link open? Expected

The target is February 2027, from a joint statement by LTA and Malaysia's Ministry of Transport on 2 October 2026. It was earlier planned for the end of 2026, then January 2027. No exact day has been published.

Why was it delayed?

Not because of construction. What's left is independent safety certification and final approvals from both governments. Testing and trial runs are due to finish by 31 December 2026. Both governments have said they aim to start before Hari Raya 2027.

How much will it cost? Not announced

Not announced. Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on 20 October 2026 that fares should be announced jointly by the end of 2026, before service starts. The S$5 to S$7 figures online come from a remark in February 2026, not a decision.

How long is the ride? Confirmed

About five minutes over a 4 km line, including a viaduct about 25 m above the Straits of Johor. Getting to the station and immigration will take longer than the ride.

Do I clear immigration twice? Confirmed

No. Both countries' checks happen at the station you leave from. You walk straight out at the other end.

Does it replace the KTM Shuttle Tebrau? Confirmed

Yes. The shuttle between Woodlands Train Checkpoint and JB Sentral is due to stop within six months of the RTS Link opening.

All questions →

What's changed on this page

  • New design; added the line diagram and status labels.
  • Fares now expected by the end of 2026 (Anthony Loke).
  • Opening target moved from January to February 2027.

Sources: joint statement by LTA and Malaysia's Ministry of Transport, 2 October 2026; Anthony Loke, 20 October 2026; Jeffrey Siow, 3 October 2026; LTA and RTS Operations project material. Spotted something out of date? support@rtswoodlands.sg.

Questions, corrections or partnerships?Write to support@rtswoodlands.sg