新加坡/新山：多年来，马来西亚人Razali Tompang几乎每天都骑摩托车从新山的家到芽笼的工作地点。
SINGAPORE/JOHOR BAHRU: For years, Malaysian Razali Tompang has made the near-daily journey from his Johor Bahru home to his workplace in Geylang by motorcycle.
这位48岁的男子原本希望到2026年底，能把摩托车留在家里，改乘新柔捷运系统（RTS Link）过关。现在，他得再等几周才能如愿。
The 48-year-old had hoped that come end 2026, he could leave his bike behind and cross the border on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link instead. Now, he will have to wait for several weeks more before he can do this.
“我想要一种更环保、可能更便宜的出行方式，”这位非营利组织的高级经理说。
“I wanted a more environmentally friendly and potentially cheaper way to travel,” said the senior manager at a non-profit organisation.
“这个项目的建设拖延了，现在离开通日期这么近了，却又延期了。延误影响了我们，让人很沮丧。” 新加坡陆路交通管理局宣布从2027年1月1日起提高车辆入境许可证（VEP）费用，这让Razali先生改乘铁路的计划变得更加迫切，因为摩托车通勤成本将上升。从2027年1月1日起，轿车的VEP费用将从目前的每天35新元涨至50新元，摩托车则从每天4新元涨至7新元。
“The construction for this project has dragged on, and now that it’s so near to the start date, it’s delayed.The delay affects us and it’s frustrating.”Mr Razali’s planned switch to rail has taken on added urgency after Singapore’s Land Transport Authority announced higher Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fees from Jan 1, 2027 making his motorcycle commute more expensive From Jan 1, 2027, the VEP fee will be raised to S$50 per day for cars and S$7 per day for motorcycles, up from the current S$35 and S$4 daily fees respectively.
柔佛人Razali Tompang表示，武吉查卡周边的人流疏导方案本应与RTS Link的建设同步规划。
Johorean Razali Tompang says crowd dispersal plans around Bukit Chagar should have been planned in tandem with the construction of RTS Link.
他是数千名原本期盼RTS Link于2026年底通车的跨境通勤者之一。
He is among thousands of cross-border commuters who had been looking forward to the RTS Link opening by the end of 2026.
如今预计要到2027年2月才能开通——这意味着服务可能不仅会错过年底假期高峰，还会错过通往2月6日农历新年的繁忙出行和购物旺季。
Its launch is now expected only in February 2027– meaning the service could miss not only the year-end holiday rush, but also the busy travel and shopping period leading up to Chinese New Year on Feb 6.
新马两国当局周五（10月2日）发布联合声明称，需要更多时间完成测试、取得独立安全认证并获得监管批准，跨境铁路服务才能开通。
In a joint statement issued on Friday (Oct 2), Singapore and Malaysia authorities said that more time is needed to complete testing, obtain independent safety certification and secure regulatory approvals before the cross-border rail service can open.
新加坡交通部长萧荣健随后表示，两国目标是在2027年3月10日的开斋节前让RTS Link投入服务。
Singapore Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow later said that both countries are aiming for the RTS Link to commence services before Hari Raya Puasa, which is slated for Mar 10, 2027.
2026年6月15日，一列正在为新柔捷运系统（RTS Link）进行测试的列车。（档案照片：CNA/Zamzahuri Abas）CNA采访的一些通勤者表示，延误令人失望，特别是面临从1月起前往新加坡成本更高的马来西亚驾车人士。
A train undergoing testing for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link on Jun 15, 2026. (File photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas) Some commuters CNA spoke to said the delay was disappointing, particularly for Malaysian motorists facing higher costs to travel into Singapore from January.
也有人对最新挫折不以为意，表示宁愿RTS Link晚点开通，如果需要更多时间确保系统安全，以及车站周边的交通衔接准备好应对客流量。两地企业的反应同样两极分化。
Others were unfazed by the latest setback, saying they would rather the RTS Link open later if more time is needed to ensure the system is safe and that transport connections around its stations are ready to cope with passenger volumes. Businesses on both sides of the Causeway were similarly divided.
新山商家表示，错过农历新年时期是一个失去的良机，因为RTS Link本可在一年中最繁忙的购物旺季之一吸引更多访客跨境。
Johor Bahru businesses said missing the Chinese New Year period was a lost opportunity, as the RTS Link could have brought more visitors across the border during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
不过，新加坡北部的一些零售商看到了一线希望。他们表示，前往新山的通道更便捷，最终可能吸引更多新加坡购物者跨过大桥——这意味着RTS Link推迟开通可能给他们提供短暂的喘息空间。
Some retailers in northern Singapore, however, saw a silver lining. They said easier access to Johor Bahru could eventually draw more Singapore shoppers across the Causeway – meaning a later RTS Link opening could offer them a brief reprieve.
RTS Link 错失缓解农历新年拥堵良机农历新年前几周通常是新马两地陆路关口最繁忙的时期之一。
‘MISSED OPPORTUNITY’ FOR RTS LINK TO EASE CNY CONGESTION The weeks leading up to Chinese New Year are typically among the busiest periods at the land crossings between Singapore and Malaysia.
根据新加坡移民与关卡局（ICA）数据，2025年和2026年农历新年期间，每年均有超过300万旅客通过兀兰和大士关卡。两年高峰期单日跨境人数均超过50万，均出现在农历新年前夕。
During the festive period in 2025 and 2026, more than 3 million travellers crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints each year, according to Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). At the peak for both years, more than 500,000 crossings were recorded in a day just prior to Chinese New Year.
新加坡财务经理Nicholas Lee喜欢去新山的商场买衣服，在手工面包店用餐。
Nicholas Lee enjoys visiting malls in Johor Bahru to shop for clothes and eating at artisanal bakeries.
新加坡财务经理Nicholas Lee原本期盼明年农历新年前搭乘RTS Link前往新山，届时他将像往年一样跨过大桥采购年货、理发。
Singaporean finance manager Nicholas Lee had been looking forward to taking the RTS Link to Johor Bahru ahead of Chinese New Year next year, when he makes his annual trip across the Causeway to shop for festive goodies and get a haircut.
这名36岁男子表示，他在新山购买的一些年货价格，可能不到在新加坡购买价格的一半。
The 36-year-old said some of the festive treats he buys in Johor Bahru can cost less than half of what he would pay in Singapore.
“今年，我全家坐巴士去新山办年货，体验很不好。我们堵在路上一个多小时，”他说。
“This year, my family took the bus to JB for CNY shopping and the experience was unpleasant. We were stuck in a jam for more than an hour,” he said.
“我们原本希望明年农历新年前能搭乘新柔捷运系统（RTS Link）。” 这是一张新山城市广场的档案照片，该商场位于武吉查卡捷运站附近。
“Taking the RTS Link next year before CNY was something we were hoping to do.”A file photo of Johor Bahru City Square mall, which is located near the Bukit Chagar RTS station.
位于新山的Mama Bakery专门制作农历新年饼干，也指望借助新柔捷运系统带动生意增长，因为捷运系统会让新加坡购物者跨境出行更方便。
Johor-based Mama Bakery, which specialises in Chinese New Year cookies, had also been banking on the RTS Link for an uptick in business, given that it would make cross-border trips more convenient for Singapore shoppers.
“我原本热切期盼新柔捷运系统能带来更多顾客，所以我们今年确实准备多烤一些，”店主凌子健（音译）说。
“I was eagerly hoping the RTS Link would bring in more customers, so we did prepare to bake more this year,” said its owner, Ling Zijian.
南柔中小企业公会顾问暨创会会长郑启新（音译）形容此次延迟是新山零售商在2027年初节庆期间吸引更多顾客的“错失良机”。
Teh Kee Sin, adviser and founding president of the SME Association of South Johor, described the delay as a “missed opportunity” for Johor retailers to draw more customers during the festive period in early 2027.
“由于（新柔捷运系统）未能在2026年底开始运营，一些企业可能错失良机，”他说。
“By not commencing (RTS Link) operations at the end of 2026, some businesses may have lost out on an opportunity,” he said.
“但希望新加坡人仍会通过汽车、巴士等其他交通方式前来。” 南柔中小企业公会顾问郑启新。
“But hopefully, Singaporeans will still come in via other modes of transport like cars and buses.”Teh Kee Sin, adviser of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Association of South Johor.
然而，对一些新加坡企业而言，新柔捷运系统开通延迟提供了短暂的“喘息机会”，尤其是北部那些预期将面临来自对岸企业更大竞争的企业。
新加坡工商联合总会、新加坡餐饮业协会和新加坡零售业协会最近的一项联合研究预测，新柔捷运系统开通后，新加坡消费者的出境行程将增加51%。
For some Singapore businesses, however, the delay to the RTS Link’s opening offers a brief “reprieve”, especially for those in the north that expect to face greater competition from businesses across the border A recent joint study by the Singapore Business Federation, Restaurant Association of Singapore and Singapore Retailers Association projects a 51 per cent increase in outbound trips by Singapore consumers once the RTS Link opens.
2026年8月3日，兀兰北广场的鸟瞰图。它位于新加坡北部边境，靠近马来西亚新山。
A bird's eye view of Woodlands North Plaza on Aug 3, 2026. It is located near Singapore's northern border with Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
新加坡中小企业公会会长洪毅指出，新加坡人倾向于在农历新年期间前往新山采购年货，如桔子和烘焙食品。
Ang Yuit, president of Singapore’s Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, noted that Singaporeans tend to travel to Johor Bahru during the Chinese New Year period to stock up on items such as mandarin oranges and baked goods.
他表示，如果新柔捷运系统（RTS Link）能在1月份投入运营，本可以有更多新加坡人过境进行节日采购。
If the RTS Link had been ready by January, there could have been more Singaporeans crossing the border to make festive purchases, he said.
“但如果延迟到2月，尤其是农历新年后，这意味着（新加坡一些企业）在节日期间的消费购买趋势不会有太大变化，”他告诉《亚洲新闻台》。
“But if it is delayed until February, especially after Chinese New Year, this means that there won’t be much change in consumer purchasing trends for (some businesses in Singapore) during the festive period,” he told CNA.
洪毅补充说，对于那些已为新柔捷运系统影响做好准备的企业来说，延迟可能让商业规划变得更容易。
Ang added that the delay could make business planning easier for those that had been preparing for the impact of the RTS Link.
“企业预计人流和客流将与去年（农历新年期间）持平，所以这对已准备好应对冲击的企业来说，可能是件好事。” 在新加坡888广场和兀兰北广场经营“曙光美容院”的林凯茜。
“The businesses can expect the same footfall and traffic as (during the CNY period) last year, so it could be a positive thing for businesses that were prepared to be impacted.”Kacey Lin, owner of Dawn Beauty salon at Woodlands North Plaza and 888 Plaza in Singapore.
对于在888广场和兀兰北广场设有分店的“曙光美容院”老板林凯茜来说，延迟给了她更多时间重新思考商业计划，因为她预计新柔捷运系统开通后，会有更多顾客光顾新山的美容院。
For Kacey Lin, who owns beauty salon Dawn Beauty with outlets at 888 Plaza and Woodlands North Plaza, the delay gives her more time to rethink her business plans as she expects more customers to patronise salons in JB once the RTS Link opens.
“这将给我更多时间提前规划，寻找方法通过提供独特服务来留住这里的顾客，”她告诉《亚洲新闻台》。
“This will give me more time to plan ahead, to find ways to retain my customers here by offering unique services,” she told CNA.
林凯茜估计，过去两三年里，她已有约10%至15%的顾客流失给新山的商家，并预计新柔捷运系统服务开始后，这一比例会上升。
Lin estimated that she has already lost around 10 to 15 per cent of her customers to businesses in JB over the past two to three years and expects that figure to rise when RTS Link services begin.
同样在兀兰北广场经营眼镜店的陈先生也欢迎这一延迟，他指出原本预期销售额会下滑，因为更便捷的跨境出行会鼓励更多顾客去新山购物。
Freddy Tan, who owns an optical shop at Woodlands North Plaza, similarly welcomed the delay, noting that he had been expecting sales to fall as easier cross-border travel encourages more customers to shop in Johor.
“这次延期是个好消息，”O Optics的老板说道。他补充道，希望位于RTS捷运站周边的新加坡企业能获得更多政府支持，以顺利应对线路开通后可能产生的各种影响。
“The delay is good news,” said the owner of O Optics, adding that he hopes that Singapore businesses located near the RTS Link station would receive more government support to help them cope with the extended impact once services begin.
由于周边地区正在开发，通往新山城市广场购物中心的主要道路——敦阿都拉扎克路时常出现交通拥堵现象。
The main road to Johor Bahru City Square mall, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, often experiences congestion due to development in the area.
为确保安全与客流分流，延期也在意料之中：虽然部分通勤者对项目延期感到不满，但也有不少人乐见这一延期时间可能不会太长。还有人表示，如果当局需要时间来完善安全及客流分流措施，理应为其留出充足时间。
DELAYS ACCEPTABLE TO ENSURE SAFETY, BETTER DISPERSAL: COMMUTERS While some commuters did not hide their frustration with the postponement, some were glad that the delay is likely to be short. Others added that if authorities needed time to fine tune safety and dispersal issues, they should be afforded this.
68岁的努莱汉·努尔巴尼表示，尽管作为乌敏岛居民，她一直期待能借助这条线路快速便捷地往返新山，但对于此次延期倒并不感到意外。
Nuraihan Noorbani, 68, said she was not surprised by the delay, despite having looked forward to using the service because of its speed and convenience for her as a Woodlands resident.
“这是个大型工程，延期肯定有其原因，或许是为了提升安全性。若没有必要改进之处，也不会出现延期情况，”她向CNA说道。
“It’s a big project, there must be a reason for the delay, perhaps it is to improve safety. If there is nothing necessary, there wouldn’t be a delay,” she told CNA.
2026年10月2日，经常往返于马来西亚新山的新加坡居民、68岁的努莱汉·努尔巴尼在乌敏岛火车检查站等候出行。
Nuraihan Noorbani, 68, a Singapore resident who regularly travels to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint on Oct 2, 2026.
马来西亚旅客拉扎利向CNA透露，他担心新山RTS捷运布基查加站周边的交通分流措施尚未准备就绪。
Malaysian traveller Razali told CNA that he was concerned that traffic dispersal modes near the RTS Link Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru were still not ready.
“我很担心，像我这样希望把摩托车停在车站旁的乘客，目前还找不到合适的停车点，”他说道。
“I’m concerned that there are no clear park and ride options open for commuters like me who would like to park my bike at the station,” he said.
此前马来西亚当局曾宣布将建设两处停车设施：布基查加站停车换乘中心以及附近的加冕广场停车场，两者合计可提供6000个小汽车停车位及1500多个摩托车位。不过目前这两处设施均尚未对外开放。
Malaysian authorities had previously announced two facilities - a Bukit Chagar Station Park and Ride and another parking lot at the nearby Coronation Square - both offering a combined total of 6,000 car parking lots and more than 1,500 motorcycle bays. However neither of these are open for use.
布基查加尔捷运站的客流疏导问题一直备受关注。马来西亚交通部长安东尼·卢克于8月份透露，目前正在修建高架行人通道，以便将乘客顺利引导至巴士站、出租车停靠点及其他轨道交通枢纽。
Traffic dispersal from the Bukit Chagar RTS Link station has been a widely discussed issue, with Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke saying in August that elevated pedestrian walkways are being constructed to connect passengers to bus, taxi and other rail transport nodes.
另一位常往返于新马两地的旅客穆罕默德·卡西姆表示，开通延迟暂时不会影响他每周前往新山的次数，因为他仍会选择乘坐跨境巴士。
Another frequent traveller, Mohamed Kasim, said the delay would not affect his weekly trips to JB for now as he would continue taking the bus service across the border.
这位68岁的新加坡人根据自己频繁的出行经验指出，现在有更多时间来为捷运站周边区域做好准备，以应对未来旅客量的激增。
Based on his regular trips to JB, the 68-year-old Singaporean said that he felt more time could be useful to prepare the area around the RTS terminus for the expected increase in travellers.
“当地道路本就拥堵不堪，市区空间也极为有限。一旦捷运开通，这一问题恐怕会更加突出，亟需提前解决，”他向CNA说道。
“The roads are congested and there is already not much space in the city area so when the RTS begins, that could be a problem (which needs to be solved first),” he told CNA.
来自南柔佛中小企业协会的特赫则表示，考虑到马来西亚此前诸多铁路建设项目都曾出现延期情况，此次开通延迟其实“并不意外”。
Teh, from the the SME Association of South Johor, said that the launch delay was “not a surprise” given that there have been many instances of rail construction projects in Malaysia being pushed back from the initially target launch date.
此前，东海岸铁路线以及Gemas至新山电气化双轨铁路项目原定完工日期分别为2024年6月30日和2022年10月31日。不过前者直到2025年12月才正式启用，后者预计也将在今年年底投入运营。
These included the East Coast Rail Link and the Gemas–Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project, which had initial completion targets of Jun 30, 2024 and Oct 31, 2022 respectively. The latter was launched in December 2025 and the former is expected to commence operations at the end of this year.
新加坡方面同样出现过捷运项目延期的情况，比如裕廊线及汤申－东海岸线的建设进度均有所推迟。“项目延期并不奇怪，尤其在马来西亚，这种情况屡见不鲜，”特赫说道。
Singapore too had announced delays for the Mass Rapid Transit construction of the Jurong Line and the Thomson East Coast Line“Delays are not surprising, in Malaysia especially this has happened for many projects,” said Teh.
“我对延期本身倒并不太在意。最重要的是，项目正式运营后能为乘客提供安全可靠的出行服务，”他补充道。
“I’m not too bothered by delays. What’s important is that when it’s launched, the service is safe for passengers to use,” he added.