Southeast Asia is preparing for a major rail transformation, with new cross-border and high-speed lines set to open by 2026 to boost regional mobility and economic integration. Among the most anticipated is the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, scheduled for completion in December 2026. The 4-km twin-track connection between Johor Bahru and Woodlands North will cut travel time to five minutes and ease congestion at the Causeway, while simplifying immigration procedures for commuters.
Singapore’s Jurong Region Line (JRL) will also begin partial operations in 2026, improving access to the city-state’s western districts such as Choa Chu Kang, Jurong Pier, and Peng Kang Hill. In Malaysia, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is on track for completion in 2026, connecting the east coast states of Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan to Kuala Lumpur and the west coast ports, enhancing freight efficiency and regional trade.
Vietnam’s long-planned Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City high-speed rail will mark a major step in national modernisation, expected to cut travel time between the two cities from 30 hours to about 8 hours. Meanwhile, the China–Laos–Thailand High-Speed Rail Network, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, is set to begin initial operations by 2026, linking Kunming, Vientiane, and Bangkok with a travel time of just four hours between Vientiane and Bangkok. Together, these projects underscore Southeast Asia’s coordinated push toward an integrated, high-speed rail corridor across the region.
