Five minutes. That is all it takes the KTM Shuttle Tebrau to carry passengers from JB Sentral in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore.
The train runs across the 1.056 kilometer Johor-Singapore Causeway, and the two stations sit near opposite ends of it.
Travel writer James Clark, writing for Nomadic Notes in August 2024, called it the shortest scheduled train service in Southeast Asia, and possibly the world.
Two Stations, One Causeway
The Shuttle Tebrau runs between JB Sentral in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. The ride itself lasts only about five minutes, but because the train crosses an international border, passengers must complete immigration and customs procedures before boarding.
The service began operating on July 1, 2015, and is run by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), Malaysia’s national railway operator. Bernama, Malaysia’s national news agency, puts the trip between the two stations at approximately five minutes.
That short travel time is possible because the stations sit near opposite ends of the railway crossing over the Johor-Singapore Causeway. The Causeway links the Malaysian state of Johor with Singapore and is one of the main land connections between the two countries.
Who Rides It and What It Costs
The Shuttle Tebrau remains a popular choice for people who commute across the border. The Straits Times reported in September 2025 that the service carried 3.1 million passengers in 2024, and that many of them were Malaysian workers.
The other option is the road, but traffic jams and immigration queues there can add a lot of time, especially at peak hours and during public holidays. The train crosses in five minutes, though passengers still need to allow time for ticket checks, immigration procedures and boarding.
Read here to learn more: Every Morning, Half a Million People Cross Between Malaysia and Singapore. Here's Why
According to KTMB, a one way ticket from JB Sentral to Woodlands costs RM5 (roughly US$1.23). Going the other way, Malaysian citizens pay the same price, while non-Malaysian passengers pay SGD5 (roughly US$3.91). The operator’s official FAQ states that each train can seat up to 320 passengers.
Still, the five minute ride is not the whole trip between the two city centers. Travelers also have to factor in getting to the departure station, boarding, immigration clearance, and the onward journey once they arrive.
The RTS Link Could End the Shuttle
The Shuttle Tebrau’s future depends on another cross-border project, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
The new line is meant to run between Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North station in Singapore. The Shuttle Tebrau links JB Sentral and Woodlands Train Checkpoint, but the RTS Link is being built as a standalone Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.
The RTS Link was first targeted to start carrying passengers by the end of 2026. In October 2026, however, Malaysian and Singaporean authorities announced that it was expected to open in February 2027, subject to safety certification and final regulatory approvals.
Bernama reported in April 2026 that Malaysia hoped Singapore would agree to keep the Shuttle Tebrau running for a while after the RTS Link opens. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the request had been raised with Singapore but no decision had been received, and that an extension would require Singapore’s approval.
Under the bilateral agreement, the shuttle is to end six months after the RTS Link begins operating, a point Loke reiterated in October. For now, it keeps running, and whether it lasts beyond that six month mark depends on Singapore’s approval.
