Relocation of KTM Station in Singapore – Light at the end of tunnel

May 25th, 2010 admin

In a historic move, Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to series of measures to further improve upon bilateral relations. In the spirit of enhancing ties towards a win-win situation, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak issued a joint statement on 24th May 2010 on an exciting list of initiatives which will bode well into the future for both Singaporeans and Malaysians.

Measure #1: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station will be relocated from Tanjong Pagar to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (WTCP) by 1 July 2011.

Why this will work out:

i. The land KTMB is currently sitting on at Tanjong Pagar is at a prime district, just kilometers away from Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD). Relocation of KTMB will release the land around it for residential or office space development, and the proceeds will be shared by both Singapore and Malaysia. Value of the land is unlocked.

ii. Relocating KTMB to Singapore reduces maintenance cost for maintenance of railway track from Tanjong Pagar to Singapore and more importantly, area around the track (some 20km of them!) can also be developed.

iii. Less fatalities for Singaporeans who like to jay-walk across the track.

 
Measure #2: Introduction of 8 new bus routes, effectively doubling the number of bus services plying Singapore and Johor Bahru. Cross-border scheduled bus services will be doubled with the introduction of 8 new additional routes (4 from each side) between Pasar Bakti and Larkin in Johor and the two Integrated Resorts, Boon Lay, Yishun, Newton and Changi Airport in Singapore

Why this will work out:

i. Increased trade and tourism. For example: Singapore’s Integrated Resort will be able to draw more visitors while this means easier access to Iskandar Malaysia region to Singaporeans.

ii. You might finally be able to get a seat on SBS 170 or TIBS 950.

iii. Travel to Johor Bahru will no longer just be an exclusive past-time for Woodlanders.

Bad causeway jam - soon a thing of the past?

Measure #3: Cross border taxi services will be liberalised with taxis being allowed to pick up and drop off passengers from any location on the domestic leg of that journey, instead of only at the designated taxi terminals

Why this will work out:

i. You can finally drop off at Yishun or Tampines (instead of Queens Street) when you take the yellow taxi in Johor Bahru.

ii. You can finally drop off at Larkin or Tun Aminah (instead of Kotaraya) when you take the yellow taxi in Singapore.

Measure #4: Formation of a Cross-border operations workforce to facilitate cooperation on operational management of cross-border traffic

Why this will work out:

i. Journey from Singapore to Johor Bahru (and vice versa) within 30 minutes can become a possibility for all modes of transport.

ii. You might finally be able to view a webcam on the traffic situation at Linkedua and at the Malaysia end of the Causeway.

iii. The typical Malaysian motorcyclist who brave the causeway twice everyday can finally smile and say to his son: “The good days are coming!!”

Measure #5: A rapid transit system link between Tanjung Puteri, Johor Bahru and Singapore aimed at enhancing connectivity between the two countries will be jointly developed.

Why this will work out:

i. Less jams at causeways and customs.

ii. The disabled will find it more convenient to travel to/from Singapore and Johor Bahru

iii. Less reliance for Malaysian students on Bas Sekolah, and faster journey home.
Measure #6: Reduction of toll charges at Linkedua

Why this will work out:

i. Encourages the usage of Linkedua, distributing the load from Woodlands Checkpoint more evenly.

ii. Encourages people staying in Jurong to pump petrol in JB, just like their Woodlands counterpart.

Latest updates (23 Jun 2010): Toll Charges at 2nd Link reduced.
Refer to http://www.limsimi.com/johor-bahru-news-information/reduction-of-toll-charges-at-2nd-link-at-tuas-checkpoint/

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Entry Filed under: Business and Investment,Iskandar Malaysia,News and Information,Politics