The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) -- basically, a direct MRT line -- will begin construction in 2021.

Malaysian Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong announced on July 21 that work will begin in January 2021, and the expected operation date is end-2026.

According to Malay Mail, he explained that 2021 to 2024 will be the first phase, developing and constructing the civil structure.

The second phase, 2025 to 2026, involves "the phase of system construction such as signalling, rolling stock, telecommunications, commissioning and also system testing."

The RTS was approved and launched in 2018, but was deferred after a review by the previous Pakatan Harapan government.

Recently, in May 2020, then-Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that the Perikatan Nasional government had asked for another suspension, up to July 31, 2020.

The 4-km rail link will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands in Singapore, and is expected to ferry up to 10,000 passengers per hour.

A signing ceremony, attended by both Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia, has been scheduled for July 30.

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Top image from Khaw Boon Wan's Facebook page.