Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will add passenger services to the 40km Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang (KBPG) corridor by 2026, aligning the rollout with the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link’s planned start at the end of 2026. The single-track KBPG line has handled freight to date; KTMB told The Straits Times it will open the line to passengers with two new stations in the first phase.

Malaysian Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said the service will begin within six to 12 months from May 9, 2025, and noted the need to construct new passenger stops along the alignment. He added that the government will identify at least three locations for safe boarding points.

The KBPG line recently underwent an RM55 million upgrade, including track rehabilitation and new signalling and safety systems. Authorities temporarily closed the line to accelerate the works, and officials say the upgrade has improved capacity on the freight corridor.

KTMB expects to run the new commuter service with diesel trains because the KBPG stretch is not electrified. After the upgrade, trains are expected to operate up to 80 km/h, up from about 30 km/h previously.

The RTS Link will connect Woodlands North (Singapore) and Bukit Chagar (Johor Bahru) on a 4 km cross-border shuttle with a design capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction, and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority targets passenger service to start at the end of 2026. KTMB’s KBPG commuter service will complement that cross-border flow.

Speaking at the KBPG reopening on May 9, Loke stressed that the initial passenger facilities will be “simple but functional” halts and platforms to ensure safety and quick deployment, with detailed station planning to follow.

Sources: The Straits Times (plans and diesel operations for KBPG; two initial stations); Bernama/The Edge Malaysia (minister’s six-to-12-month timeline; three passenger stops); The Star (RM55m upgrade; “simple but functional” halts); Singapore LTA (RTS capacity and end-2026 target).