Inside JB’s RTS Link station: 25-minute target from concourse to train, high-tech scanners planned

Behind the scenes at Johor Bahru's Bukit Chagar RTS Link station, a vision of modern cross-border travel is rapidly taking shape. Malaysian authorities are targeting a swift 25-minute journey for passengers, from station entry to boarding their train, as the facility gears up for its anticipated January 2027 launch.

The station, designed to be one of Malaysia's most advanced, will feature expansive air-conditioned concourses, state-of-the-art security screening, and efficient immigration systems. Amenities such as ample restrooms and a nursery are also being incorporated to enhance the passenger experience. During a recent media tour, officials from Malaysia's Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and RTS Operations (RTSO) provided insights into the station's development.

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We are targeting this – this means taking five minutes each to clear ticketing, security, immigration clearances for both countries, and travelling up to the train platform.

Officials are striving to streamline the process, aiming for five minutes each for ticketing, security, and immigration clearances for both countries. While the train journey itself is only about five minutes, the goal is to optimize the pre-boarding procedures. The 4km RTS Link aims to alleviate the chronic traffic congestion on the Causeway, a vital but often gridlocked border crossing, by transporting up to 10,000 passengers hourly in each direction.

Advanced technology will be central to the station's operations. It will be equipped with 18 luggage scanners and nine body scanners utilizing ultra-low-power millimetre-wave technology and artificial intelligence to detect concealed items. Malaysian immigration e-gates are also being installed, promising a seamless entry process for travelers.

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We are trying hard to improve it, if everything is streamlined, perhaps they can clear in 20 minutes.