Singapore residents are projected to spend an additional S$1.05 billion annually in Johor Bahru once the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link opens in January 2027 [1, 2, 3]. Outbound trips by Singapore consumers to Johor Bahru are expected to rise by 51%, adding 11.2 million round trips each year [1, 2, 3]. This surge in spending and travel marks a significant increase in cross-border connectivity.
Visitors from Johor Bahru to Singapore are also expected to spend S$756 million more annually, taking an additional 3.3 million round trips each year [1, 2, 3]. Johor Bahru visitors tend to spend on premium retail, entertainment, events, hotels, and dining in Singapore's city centre [2, 3]. After the RTS opening, 34% of Johor Bahru respondents said they intend to visit Singapore for events, up from 24% currently [2, 3].
The net incremental outbound spending from Singapore to Johor Bahru is estimated at S$290 million annually, which represents about 0.4% of Singapore’s total retail and food & beverage (F&B) sales in 2025 [1, 2, 3]. Groceries form the largest share of additional Singaporean spending in Johor Bahru, followed by drug stores, dining, and beauty services [1, 3].
Daily ridership on the RTS Link is estimated to reach approximately 39,700 trips [2, 3]. This growth in cross-border traffic is expected to intensify competition within Singapore’s retail and F&B sectors. Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), said, "The RTS Link will create opportunities for Singapore businesses to attract more visitors, but also raises competitive pressure especially for our retail and F&B sectors. Businesses must adapt beyond price competition by strengthening their offerings, experiences and productivity, while industry and government must work together to help them compete in a more connected cross-border market" [1].
Musa Fazal, SBF’s chief policy and operating officer, explained the spending patterns: "Singaporeans in JB pretty much spend on everything, so we behave like the locals, whereas JB consumers in Singapore behave like tourists. And so they come to the city centre to shop. They go to our tourist attractions. So we see many of them are event goers" [3].
The RTS Link is scheduled to open in January 2027, marking a key milestone for cross-border travel and commerce between Singapore and Johor Bahru [1, 2, 3].
