SINGAPORE, Oct. 30 -- Singapore is planning tailored support programmes and infrastructure upgrades to help merchants in the island's north prepare for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is set to begin operations by the end of 2026.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said a government task force is looking into ways to adapt existing schemes to the conditions in the north, Singapore-based news outlet CNA reported.

"What might be fresh and what might be new is: how do we make these programmes even more tailored to the conditions in the north?" he was quoted as saying after meeting residents and merchants in Marsiling-Yew Tee on Wednesday.

Tan said merchants have asked for improvements such ...