Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to build a high-speed rail link between the city state and Kuala Lumpur. A high-speed rail link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur has targeted to be completed by 2020.
The rail network will be a "huge game changer" and transform the way the two countries do business, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in Singapore at a joint press conference. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the journey may take 90 minutes from the hours it now takes by rail and road. This indicates that the 400km project is viable, said people with first-hand knowledge of the matter.
Trains currently take about six hours to make the 300km (190 miles) journey between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. By road, the journey takes about four hours. This situation will help the passengers that want to go to work at Singapore, they would not waiting so much time to go back from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore or Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Other than that, the trains transit from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. Then from Melaka to Johor and lastly go to Singapore.
The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has been carrying out a feasibility study on the HSR project since early last year. The study includes a detailed assessment on the technical and engineering aspects, cost, financial and operations with economic benefit of the project. The Rail Link is expected to cost around RM 40 billion. This includes RM 10 billion to buy the high-speed bullet trains.
Najib said the high-speed rail link would be built via public-private partnership with strong government participation. It will be on the basis of private sector funding with the government providing structural support and participation. Minister of Singapore, Lee said the project would make it faster to travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by rail than by air, including waiting time.
The Prime Ministers agreed to build a High Speed Rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. This is a strategic development in bilateral relations that will dramatically improve the connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore. It will usher in a new era of strong growth, prosperity, and opportunities for both countries. It will facilitate seamless travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, enhance business linkages, and bring the peoples of Malaysia and Singapore closer together. Ultimately, this project will give both countries greater stakes in each other’s prosperity and success. The Leaders tasked the JMC to look into the details and modalities of the High Speed Rail Link.
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