JOHOR-SINGAPORE RTS LINK
Since the first announcement of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link in 2010, there has been a growing interest among Singaporeans to invest in properties in Johor Bahru. The RTS Link is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, making it a more convenient option for commuters.
It is deemed as a game changer for the Johor Bahru property market, especially for areas close to the RTS station at Bukit Chagar, which is located in the Johor Bahru City Centre (JBCC).
Johor Bahru City Centre (JBCC) is located in the heart of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It is situated near the Malaysia-Singapore border, making it easily accessible. It is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment among both locals and Singaporeans alike. In fact, once you clear customs (CIQ) at the Johor-Singapore Causeway, you are already in the Johor Bahru City Centre area.
JBCC, for simplicity, is generally defined by areas within the Inner Ring Road, including land extending from the Inner Ring Road to Jalan Abu Bakar and Jalan Tun Dr Ismail. Key streets within this zone include Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, and Jalan Trus, with more traditional shop houses and pedestrian areas located to the south along Jalan Segget and Jalan Ibrahim.
Many Singaporeans saw strong rental demand potential in Johor Bahru, especially near the RTS Link station. They anticipated that improved connectivity would attract tenants working in Singapore and commuting across the border daily, leading to increased property values and rental yields. Many investors entered the market hoping to capture this growth or to secure a future retirement home.
SKS Pavillion Residences was one of the early new-launch developments that rode on the RTS hype, followed by TriTower Residence and Twin Tower Residence.
Initially, the RTS project was targeted to be completed by 2018, but it faced delays and was rescheduled multiple times. The hype cooled down as the project was stalled for several years. The project officially resumed in July 2020, with a new expected completion timeline by the end of 2026.
With the resumption of the RTS project and a clearer completion timeline, interest in Johor Bahru properties among Singaporeans has renewed. In addition, the announcement of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in early 2025, including JBCC as one of nine flagship areas focused on Business Services, Digital Economy, and Health, has further boosted confidence in the area.
For those who missed the earlier wave of launches, more developments are expected. However, choices near the RTS station site at Bukit Chagar may remain limited.
CTC SkyOne is a freehold condominium development near the RTS station at Bukit Chagar.
The development offers dual-key and triple-key concept units for investors seeking strong rental potential.
More information hereAethera Residences is a featured JB city-centre project near key amenities and cross-border connectivity.
The project is positioned as a compelling option for both own-stay and investment in this area.
More information here