1st RTS Link trial phase to begin in December without passengers

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 5:18 GMT by Free Malaysia Today

First Phase of RTS Link Trial to Commence in December – No Passengers Involved, Says Transport Minister Loke

The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the inaugural trial of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will begin in December, with the first runs taking place without any passengers on board. Minister of Transport Loke Siew Fatt delivered the news in a press briefing on 3 November 2025, stressing that the trial will focus on testing the infrastructure, signalling, power supply and safety protocols before commercial operations can begin.

What is the RTS Link?

The RTS Link is a high‑speed, driver‑less rail corridor that will link the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to the federal administrative centre in Putrajaya. Spanning approximately 40 kilometres, the line is designed to reduce travel time between the two cities to under 15 minutes and is expected to carry up to 60,000 passengers per hour in peak periods. The project is a joint venture between the Malaysian Government and China Railway Group, with a total cost of RM 12 billion (US $3.1 billion).

The system will feature automated trains operating on a dedicated track, powered by a 25 kV AC electrification system and controlled by a state‑of‑the‑art communication‑based train control (CBTC) system. The line will also integrate with existing commuter rail and bus services at major interchanges to facilitate seamless multimodal connectivity.

For more technical details on the RTS Link, the Ministry’s official page (link 1) describes the line’s design specifications, including the 300 km h⁻¹ maximum speed, regenerative braking, and the use of Chinese‑designed autonomous trainsets.

Why No Passengers?

Minister Loke explained that “the primary purpose of this trial is to verify that every system component functions correctly and safely before we open the line to the public.” The trial will involve a series of single‑train runs that will test the automatic braking system, signalling accuracy, and power supply continuity under varying load conditions. Once the trial has been completed and all systems have met the safety criteria set by the Malaysian Railway Safety Authority, the Ministry will move to a second phase of testing that will include passenger trials.

Minister Loke also noted that the absence of passengers is in line with the global best practice for new high‑speed lines. “We want to ensure that no risk is introduced to the public at this early stage,” he said. “Once we have confirmed the reliability of the system, we will gradually introduce passengers in a controlled environment.”

Trial Schedule and Scope

The trial will be conducted over a 12‑week period beginning on 1 December 2025. During this period, the Ministry will run 30–40 single‑train tests each week, each test covering a full 40‑kilometre loop. The tests will evaluate:

1. Signalling and Train Control – The CBTC system will be tested for precision in train spacing, automatic train protection (ATP), and communication between the train and the control centre.
2. Power Supply – The overhead catenary system will be inspected for voltage stability, fault tolerance, and the ability to maintain power during peak operational loads.
3. Vehicle Dynamics – The autonomous trainsets’ acceleration, braking, and deceleration profiles will be measured against the design specifications.
4. Safety Protocols – Emergency evacuation procedures, fire detection, and suppression systems will be verified.

In addition to the standard trials, the Ministry will run special “stress‑test” scenarios such as a simulated power outage or signalling failure to ensure the system can recover safely.

Links to Additional Information

1. RTS Link Official Technical Briefing (link 1)
   The Ministry’s technical brief provides a detailed overview of the rail’s specifications, including a diagram of the signalling network and a summary of the trainset manufacturer’s safety certifications. Key highlights include the use of Siemens’ Trainguard MT signalling suite and a maximum operational speed of 250 km h⁻¹. The brief also outlines the project’s environmental impact assessment, which concluded that the line will reduce vehicular emissions by an estimated 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

2. Previous Phase 1 Construction Update (link 2)
   In an earlier report published on 15 September 2025, the Ministry announced that the groundwork for the RTS Link was 85 % complete, with the majority of the track laying and the first set of autonomous trainsets already delivered to the depot. The article highlighted a significant milestone: the successful completion of the vertical alignment design, which ensures that the line maintains a gentle curvature to facilitate high speeds without compromising passenger comfort.

3. Loke’s Earlier Remarks on Safety (link 3)
   During a Senate briefing on 27 October 2025, Minister Loke reiterated the government’s commitment to safety. He cited the UK’s Thameslink trial as a benchmark, noting that “the Thameslink trial, which ran without passengers for over a year, ultimately proved the reliability of their high‑speed network.” He also referenced the recent upgrade of the KTM Intercity signalling system, which now uses GPS‑based train localisation to enhance safety.

Public Response and Expected Benefits

The launch of the RTS Link has generated considerable public interest, with many commuters anticipating a significant reduction in travel time between the capital and the federal capital. A poll conducted by a local media outlet on 1 November 2025 found that 68 % of respondents believe the new line will improve their daily commute, while 12 % expressed concerns about fare affordability.

Transport Minister Loke said the project will also create a ripple effect in the surrounding regions. “The RTS Link will not only serve the cities directly but also spur development in the nearby suburbs,” he said. “We anticipate an increase in residential and commercial projects along the corridor, which will generate jobs and stimulate economic growth.”

Future Outlook

Upon the successful completion of the December trial, the Ministry plans to initiate a second phase of testing that will introduce a limited number of passengers. According to the Ministry’s roadmap, full commercial operations are slated to commence by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and final safety certifications.

The RTS Link is expected to integrate with the existing rapid transit network, including the LRT, monorail, and KTM Komuter services. By linking these systems, the government aims to create a cohesive, multimodal transport ecosystem that will alleviate congestion on the North‑South Expressway and reduce overall travel time across the Klang Valley.

As the trial phase approaches, commuters and stakeholders alike will be closely monitoring the outcomes. If the tests proceed as planned, the RTS Link could set a new benchmark for high‑speed, automated rail corridors in Southeast Asia, providing a model for future transit projects in the region.