Travel Updates: 5 New Malls Opening In JB That’ll Be Easier To Visit Once The RTS Link Launches In 2026

Source:

https://thesmartlocal.com/read/new-jb-malls/

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With the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link set to launch by the end of 2026, shopping trips across the Causeway are expected to become faster and more convenient. Anticipating increased cross-border traffic, several new shopping malls are being developed across Johor Bahru, particularly in growth areas such as Iskandar Puteri, Bukit Senyum and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Among the earliest openings is Horizon Mall, a 150,000 sq ft open-air mall in Horizon Hills, Iskandar Puteri. Located near the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club and just a 10-minute drive from LEGOLAND Malaysia, it will feature dining and lifestyle options such as Padi House and popular tea brands, and is expected to open in May 2026.

Closer to the JB checkpoint, SKS City Mall JBCC will sit beneath the Sheraton Johor Bahru hotel, only a four-minute drive from immigration. Spanning about 280,000 sq ft over 4.5 floors, it will house retail shops and family attractions like Jungle Gym, with an anticipated opening by the end of 2026.

Further ahead, Coronation Square Mall along Jalan Gereja will be directly linked to the Bukit Chagar RTS station via covered walkways. Part of a RM5 billion mixed-use development, it is slated for completion in 2029. OBS Mall, a luxury retail component of the One Bukit Senyum project, will follow by 2030, alongside residences and a five-star hotel.

Finally, the Bukit Chagar Integrated Development, opening progressively towards 2033, will welcome RTS commuters with a mall, transport links and large car parks. Together, these developments reinforce JB’s growing appeal as a post-RTS shopping destination for Singaporeans.

Travel Updates: Review: Electric Train Service (ETS) from Johor to Kuala Lumpur

Source:

https://milelion.com/2025/12/24/review-electric-train-service-ets-from-johor-to-kuala-lumpur/

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The long-awaited direct Electric Train Service (ETS) between Johor Bahru’s JB Sentral and Kuala Lumpur’s KL Sentral officially launched in December 2025, restoring a convenient rail link between Malaysia’s two largest cities after years of disruptions and indirect routes. The service became possible following the completion of the Electrified Double Tracking Project (EDTP) between Kluang and JB Sentral, eliminating the need for train changes at Gemas.

The JB–KL route operates as an ETS Platinum service, using the new ETS3 (KTM Class 94) electric trains, capable of speeds up to 140 km/h. The journey includes multiple stops across Johor and Negeri Sembilan before reaching KL Sentral. One-way fares start from around MYR80–87 for Standard Class and MYR150–160 for Business Class.

Standard Class offers a comfortable 2-2 seating layout with power sockets, USB ports, tray tables and adequate legroom. Business Class, located in a dedicated car, features a 1-2 layout, generous legroom, seat recline, personal power outlets and a touch-screen entertainment system. Business Class passengers receive a complimentary hot meal, drinks and snacks, though food quality is modest and onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment connectivity were unreliable during the journey.

The ride is generally smooth and quiet, with scenic views along much of the route. However, delays occur north of Seremban due to ongoing single-track works under the Klang Valley Double Track Phase 2 project, slowing the final stretch into Kuala Lumpur. Despite this, the train arrived only slightly behind schedule.

Overall, the new ETS offers a jam-free, predictable and competitively priced alternative to buses and flights. While further infrastructure upgrades and the future RTS Link will enhance the experience, the ETS already stands out as a practical and appealing option for Singapore–Johor–Kuala Lumpur travel.

LifeStyle Updates : Everything You Need To Know About The Upcoming RTS Link Between SG & JB

Source : 

https://thesmartlocal.com/read/rts-link-singapore-jb/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Project Overview: A 4km train line connecting Singapore’s Woodlands North Station to Malaysia’s Bukit Chagar RTS Station.

• Project Goal: To ease the travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru.

• Project Capacity: Estimated to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

• RTS Link Advantages: Seamless transfer, frequent trains, and single immigration clearance.

• RTS Link Ticket: Competitive pricing with off-peak fares and season passes.

• RTS Link Completion: Construction and testing to be finished by Q3 2026, with passenger service by the end of 2026.

• Current Commuting Situation: Traffic jams, crowded buses, and lack of space.

• Future Commuting Vision: A one-stop journey to JB by 2026.