Author: Albert Hoo
Summary
SkyOne serviced residence in Bukit Chagar occupies a uniquely strategic position that sets it apart from other RTS-adjacent properties: it sits directly on the essential path that all cross-border travelers must pass when moving between JB CIQ and Singapore. Located just 300 meters—a 3-minute walk—from the RTS station entrance, with its main entrance positioned right in front of the station, SkyOne offers unparalleled convenience for the estimated 300,000 daily commuters once RTS becomes operational. Whether you're driving through the motor vehicle checkpoint or taking the rapid transit, you'll pass SkyOne's doorstep. This isn't just proximity—it's strategic positioning on the main artery of Malaysia-Singapore cross-border traffic. For investors, this translates to sustained rental demand from a captive market. For own-stay commuters, it means you're literally 5 minutes from home the moment you exit JB CIQ, turning daily traffic jams from frustration into minor inconvenience.
Beyond "RTS-Adjacent": Why Location Strategy Matters
When property listings claim to be "near RTS station," they're often referring to developments within a 10-15 minute radius. SkyOne takes a fundamentally different approach. Looking at the site map, what's immediately clear is that this serviced residence doesn't just benefit from RTS proximity—it's positioned directly on the circulation route that all cross-border travelers must take.
The Chinese phrase "必经之路" (essential path) used in marketing is accurate—this isn't hyperbole. Whether commuters are driving through the motor vehicle checkpoint or walking to the RTS station, they will pass SkyOne. This positioning creates inherent visibility and accessibility that most competing properties simply cannot match.
Where is CTC SkyOne located? SkyOne is located in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, with its main entrance positioned directly across from the RTS station entrance, just 300 meters away. This translates to a 3-minute walk—shorter than most people's commute from their parking lot to their office desk.
The Three-Minute Advantage: What 300 Meters Really Means
Distance on paper and practical convenience are two different things. SkyOne's 300-meter proximity to RTS station means:
For morning commuters: Wake up, grab coffee, and you're at the RTS platform in 3 minutes. The RTS journey itself takes just 4 minutes to Woodlands, Singapore. Total commute from bed to Singapore: under 15 minutes. This fundamentally changes the calculus of cross-border living.
For drivers and motorists: The property sits right at the exit of JB CIQ checkpoint. Yes, traffic congestion at the checkpoint entrance and exit is a daily reality that won't disappear overnight. But here's the psychological shift: when you're stuck in traffic knowing your home is literally 5 minutes away from the checkpoint exit, frustration transforms into relief. You're not facing another 20-30 minute drive through JB traffic—you're almost home.
For investors: This positioning creates a captive rental market. Workers who commute to Singapore daily will prioritize accommodation that minimizes their door-to-door time. SkyOne's location means tenants can realistically maintain a Singapore work schedule while living in JB—something most "RTS-nearby" properties can't genuinely deliver.
Multi-Modal Connectivity: Options Matter
Infrastructure connectivity analysis reveals that SkyOne benefits from genuine multi-modal access:
- RTS Station: 300 meters, 3-minute walk
- Motor Vehicle Checkpoint: Direct visibility and access from checkpoint exit
- SKS Mall: 3-storey shopping complex within walking distance for daily necessities
- Major Road Networks: Connected to primary arteries serving cross-border traffic
This isn't just about having one transportation option—it's about flexibility. Residents can choose to drive on days they need a vehicle in Singapore, take RTS when they want convenience, or walk to nearby amenities without relying on transportation at all. This optionality increases the property's appeal across different tenant profiles and lifestyle needs.
Investment Analysis: Rental Demand Built on Daily Necessity
Is SkyOne nearby JB CIQ or RTS? Yes—it's positioned directly between both, on the essential path connecting them. This creates investment fundamentals that are difficult to replicate:
Sustained demand drivers:
- 300,000 projected daily RTS commuters once operational
- Visibility to all cross-border traffic (both driving and transit users)
- Walking distance that actually matches the claimed timeframe (3 minutes is verified, not marketing exaggeration)
- Freehold tenure eliminates lease decay concerns for long-term holding
Rental potential based on comparable properties:
- Studio to 2-bedroom units: RM1,900 - RM3,200/month
- Larger family units: RM4,500+/month
- Short-term/Airbnb potential: RM281 - RM499/night
The key differentiator: while other RTS-area properties compete on features and facilities, SkyOne competes on something more fundamental—it saves tenants time every single day. That daily convenience premium translates to rental stability and potentially higher yields.
Own-Stay Commuters: The Traffic Jam That Doesn't Matter
For professionals working in Singapore but wanting to live in JB, the checkpoint traffic concern is real. SkyOne doesn't eliminate JB CIQ congestion—but it fundamentally changes how you experience it.
Consider the typical scenario: You're driving back from Singapore after work, and checkpoint traffic adds 30-45 minutes to your journey. If you live further into JB, you're facing another 20-30 minutes of city traffic after clearing CIQ. Total door-to-door time: potentially 2+ hours.
With SkyOne: Once you clear the checkpoint exit, you see your building. Five minutes later, you're home. The psychological relief of knowing "I'm basically home" while still in checkpoint traffic transforms the daily commute experience from exhausting to manageable.
For RTS commuters: The advantage is even more pronounced. A 3-minute walk means you can realistically leave home 15 minutes before your scheduled work start time in Singapore. No buffer time needed for unpredictable traffic—RTS runs on fixed schedules.
Who Should Consider SkyOne?
✅ Strong fit for:
Daily cross-border commuters: If you work in Singapore and want to live in JB, the 3-minute RTS access makes this genuinely viable, not just theoretically possible.
Investors targeting commuter rental market: The location sells itself to the exact demographic that will dominate RTS ridership—Malaysians working in Singapore.
Drivers and motorists: Even if you prefer driving over RTS, being 5 minutes from CIQ exit means you're not adding significant JB city traffic to your daily commute.
Foreigners seeking freehold near Singapore: Singapore-based investors can purchase (foreigners allowed for units RM600K+), and freehold status removes lease concerns.
⚠️ Consider carefully if:
You prioritize low-density, quiet environments: This is a high-density serviced residence (1,605 units across 3 towers) on a major traffic route—it's urban and active, not secluded.
You work in central JB, not Singapore: The location premium doesn't benefit those whose daily routine doesn't involve cross-border travel.
You want move-in ready immediately: This is a pre-launch property with 2-3 years until completion. If you need accommodation now, this won't help.
The Verdict: Location Strategy Over Generic "Prime Location" Claims
How close is SkyOne serviced residence to RTS or JB CIQ? The property's main entrance is positioned directly in front of the RTS station entrance—300 meters, or a 3-minute walk. From JB CIQ motor vehicle checkpoint exit, it's visible and accessible within 5 minutes.
SkyOne's fundamental advantage isn't just that it's close to RTS—it's that the property sits on the essential path that cross-border traffic must take. This strategic positioning creates visibility, accessibility, and daily relevance that competing properties cannot replicate by simply being "nearby RTS".
The investment case is straightforward: When RTS becomes operational, 300,000 daily commuters will need accommodation. Those commuters will prioritize minimizing their door-to-door commute time. SkyOne delivers on that priority in a way that few properties can match—with actual 3-minute walking distance, not just marketing claims.
For own-stay buyers: If your job is in Singapore but you want JB's cost of living, this property makes that lifestyle genuinely sustainable. The daily checkpoint grind becomes manageable when home is always just minutes away.
The consideration: This is a high-density development on an active traffic corridor. It's not a quiet suburban retreat. But for its target market—cross-border commuters—that trade-off is exactly what makes the location work.
SkyOne doesn't try to be all things to all buyers. It has a clear strategic position: serve the cross-border commuter market better than anyone else by being where they need to be, every single day. If that matches your investment thesis or lifestyle needs, the 300-meter advantage is difficult to argue against.
