The future belongs to rail travel

By DEEPAK GILL




PICTURES BY BRIAN MOH, DARRAN TAN & REUTERS


Trains used to be the way to travel long-distance. That is, until roads began to improve, private vehicles became the norm and flying got cheaper. The Malayan Railway or Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) still gets nearly four million passengers a year, but it’s a long way off from its glory days.

Its biggest challenge came in 1994 when the North South Expressway became fully operational. It cut travelling time for vehicles by about half, sending many travellers to express bus stations and car dealers. From more than eight million passenger trips in 1991, the Intercity service now gets only about 3.7 million (2004).

KTM’s Azman Ahmad Shaharbi knows all about the current drawbacks of long-distance rail travel, but is optimistic that the future belongs to rail.

“We are looking at the return of the golden age of the railways with the right investment,” says the general manager of Intercity Services.

“The corporation is charting a rebound. We hit rock bottom in 2003 with 3.3 million passenger trips; we’re confident of getting 3.9 million passengers this year.”






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/23/features/f_04station1.jpg

In the quest to stay current, KTM will undergo many upgrades in the next five years.








Azman admits that the rail system has not kept up with the country’s rapid development in the last 20 years. That couldn’t be helped. In the railway industry, upgrading works carry huge price tags, and KTM has to rely on the government for big decisions and funding.

Currently, Intercity has a budget for several ongoing upgrades. However, they need to build new tracks and acquire new trains. Fortunately, things are already moving in that direction.



Need for speed

High-speed rail (where trains cruise between 150kph and 480kph) is common in some developed countries but not here. KTM now plans to introduce it along existing routes, beginning with the 174km stretch between Rawang (Selangor) and Ipoh (Perak).

“The next new Intercity service will be the non-stop KL-Ipoh (route) – under two hours,” Azman reveals. Scheduled to be operational in two years, the service will run every two hours and hit 160kph. This sort of travel time will attract many passengers, including business travellers.

Trains are efficient and an obvious alternative to congested highways and airports. High-speed rail competes not just with private vehicles but with the airlines as well. Taking a flight requires travelling to and from the airport as well as having to arrive an hour before the flight. There are also possibilities of delay, overbooking and flight cancellation.

High-speed rail, though, usually takes one quickly and directly from one city centre to another. If you include environmental and land issues, high-speed rail is the smartest alternative. However, double-tracking for the rest of Intercity’s routes around the country has been deferred indefinitely by the government.

The current fares are pretty affordable. In most countries, rail fare is substantially higher than those of express buses – up to 50% more. However, second-class travel per kilometre with KTM works out the same as with buses: 6.5 sen/km, while their economy seats work out to 3.7 sen/km. If you’re on vacation and in no particular hurry, you could say this is a value-for-money way to travel.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/23/features/f_04azman.jpg

Azman Ahmad Shaharbi








The journey time from KL to Johor Baru is currently five hours and 15 minutes on the day train. The overnight, which has the option of sleeper bunks, is slower but saves time since you travel during your sleep time and arrive in the morning.

“You have to sleep anyway, so rather than doing it at home, you can do it while travelling,” reasons Azman. “Also, we have real beds with a pillow and blanket, not seats that recline until it’s flat.

“The main reason for delays of Intercity services is operational constraint – having a single track. When one train is delayed, it sets off a chain reaction that leads to other trains waiting for it,” Azman points out. Because of this, KTM is not yet able run more services nor reduce journey time.

Intercity’s occupancy currently averages 65%, dropping drastically during weekdays, peaking during school breaks. Since the railway company is not allowed to reduce or stop any services without the Ministry of Transportation’s consent, it cannot drop unprofitable routes.

Azman says he is concerned that the East Coast Highway, when fully completed in 2008, will take away many passengers.

“Currently our East Coast operations are quite good. However, to upgrade that stretch takes a lot of investment. We’re talking billions,” he says.

Azman says low airfares on carrier AirAsia has also had an impact on rail travel, but not much. “You have to take into account the cost of getting to and from the airports, which adds up.”



Its services

KTM’s Intercity currently runs 12 express services a day, 10 local services (mostly within the east coast) and two shuttle services from JB to Singapore. There are several discount cards to encourage travel: one for senior citizens and two for students, which give reductions of up to 50%. The Student Privilege Card is issued to anyone who is studying, irrespective of age.

Azman feels that rising toll and fuel prices are a definite advantage for the railway, as travelling by highway becomes more costly, not to mention slower because of the congestion.

“Travelling by train is enjoyable, relaxing and, more importantly, it’s safe. The last accidental death on a train was 13 years ago. Our emphasis on safety is something we’re proud of.”

Travelling in a bus, he adds, is cramped while the seats in a train are more spacious. You can move about, have meals or drinks, and use the toilet. You have the option of seats or beds, first-, second- or economy classes, coach or private cabin. First-class passengers can either stroll to the buffet coach or have the food sent to them.

Intercity’s first-class (deluxe) cabins have a TV, two bunks and an attached toilet with hot shower. Azman comments that KTM’s room-on-wheels “is the only ‘hotel’ where you can check-in in KL and check-out in Singapore.”





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/23/features/f_04station2.jpg

Although KTM now has the modern KL Sentral, it still languishes in the past in some areas.








About 200 coaches will soon be refurbished at a cost of RM100,000 per unit. Ten new coaches will arrive at the end May.

“In the next five years, we will upgrade about 20 of our main railway stations: lengthening and raising platforms and shelters, renovating toilets, waiting area and ticket counters,” says Azman. In addition, 40 new air-conditioned coaches of various types including night sleepers and day-seaters are scheduled for use in 2006/2007.

KTM is also concerned about all-round comfort. KL Sentral, for instance, offers shower facilities and changing rooms, where towels and toiletries are available upon request. KTM is also working hard to improve the taxi services at Sentral.

“We aim to provide door-to-door service to our customers,” says Azman. “Improving frontline and customer services is very important to us.”

However, KTM needs to do a lot more for disabled travellers. Most stations lack even basic facilities like ramps. Also, the Sentral management needs to reassess their parking rates. A stop of slightly over two hours costs RM7.40, which is exorbitant!

There are now first-class lounges at KL Sentral and KTM Singapore stations for premier passengers.

“The e-ticket system on its website www.ktmb.com.my has the convenience for you to complete purchases and print your own e-ticket,” says Azman, but only 1% of customers currently use it, mostly tourists. KTM also has package rail holidays across Malaysia.

The train schedules are amended every six months. The passenger coaches are sent to KL Sentral’s maintenance depot after every trip for cleaning. Pest control is done once a week, major fumigation every six months, after which the coach is not usable for four days.

Maintenance is a major cost for a railway operator. For 2004, KTMB incurred a net loss of RM87.61mil, an improvement over 2003 when the figure was RM131.23mil.

The number one complaint that KTM receives from its customers is on punctuality. “At the moment, our arrival punctuality is 60%; we are aiming for 80%.”

Azman adds that the primary target now is to reduce journey time, which should unleash the potential of rail travel in Malaysia. Combine comfort and convenience with speed, and you have a winner. W

KTM's history in brief



Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM), formerly known as the Federated Malay States Railway, started as a tin-ore transportation in colonial Perak in the 18th century. The first line, an eight-mile long track, was laid linking the tin-mining town of Taiping to Port Weld in 1885.

Rails were soon laid in Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan and Johor, all of which were eventually connected together to form a trunk line, running from Singapore to Padang Besar or Kuala Gris, on the borders of Thailand, by 1931.



http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/23/features/f_06engine.jpg

During its heyday, KTM’s steam locomotives (above) were the main means of transportation for moving bulk commodities and people. Steam trains were fully phased out by the 1970s and replaced by diesel trains.


KTM’s decline started in the 1940s, when better shipping, roads and air services became available. By the 1990s, it was no longer considered the most effective transportation option.

In order to remain competitive, KTM’s administration was transformed in 1992 into a corporate body responsible for its own performance. Three years later, the first electric Komuter trains began their short-distance runs from Kuala Lumpur to Rawang. Plans are in the pipelines for high-speed rail. – Compiled by TAN LEE KUEN

Rail systems of the future




Transportation specialists see the railway as the way of the future. It has a dedicated line, is energy-efficient, non-polluting (electric and maglev trains), fast, and provides mass transit.

High-speed rail has taken a lot of load off highways and airports in many countries around the world.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/23/features/f_07train.jpg

Shanghai’s maglev train is a peep into the future.






Capital outlay and huge costs are the main barriers to high-speed rail systems. The Eurotunnel train service between France and UK, for example, is facing severe debt. In the US many states have yet to upgrade their rail systems, mainly due to lack of funding. However, most plan to do so as rail travel is considered the most efficient public transportation.

The latest high-speed technology is maglev, or magnetic levitation. In this amazing system, magnetic forces lift, propel and guide the vehicle over a guideway. The train floats 15cm above the rail. Utilising state-of-the-art electric power and control systems, this configuration eliminates contact and permits cruising speeds of up to 430kph!

The maglev offers competitive trip-time savings compared to aviation in travel destinations of up to 1,000km away. The ride is quiet and smooth, and the train boasts zero emissions and low energy use.

The Shanghai Maglev in China is the fastest railway system in commercial operation in the world. The 30km line, in service since early 2004, runs between Pudong Shanghai International Airport and the Shanghai Lujiazui financial district. An end-to-end ride takes about eight minutes!

“In the long term, we’re looking to maglevs for high-speed ground transportation that might replace aircrafts,” Arnold Kupferman, maglev programme manager at the Federal Railroad Administration (www.fra.dot.gov) of the US, was quoted as saying by online mag Prism (www.prism-magazine.org).

“Forty percent of air travel in the US covers a distance of less than 480km. We can relieve the air transportation system by allowing them to concentrate on long-range travel.” – By DEEPAK GILL

Feedback from rail users



As expected, delays in journey is the main grouse of rail users.

“Five out of 10 times the trains are delayed. The delay at times can be a couple of hours, which is really frustrating,” says business development executive Rajdessh Gopal, 33. “Time is precious and what I’d like to see is punctuality. Other than this, I’ve had no problems; I love the rural views.”

Besides faster travel, Bank Negara executive Zoe Rai, 34, would like to see an improvement in service, a viewing carriage and more frequent services between popular destinations.

The air-conditioning is another thing that is mentioned. “It’s too cold in there!” says traveller Prashant P, echoing the views of many. “And the food needs improvement.” The 34-year-old would also like to see longer, wider berths.
Another traveller, Gabrielle Sim, 26, says providing some entertainment on board, especially music, would be nice. “Also, we should be informed on what to do in any emergency or if there’s a medical situation.”

“Movies-on-demand,” suggests Sharan Sambhi, 41. She, like many others, enjoys rail travel. “It’s the scenery, the atmosphere and the choices of meals that I like. I also find it’s a good way to avoid traffic jams, and it stops in the heart of the city. It’s also great for group travel. I’ve made new friends during the trip and have even had a small party on board once.”

Rajdessh concurs that rail travel can be fun. “I was travelling with a bunch of cricketers from Penang to Bangkok once, and the boys created a party out of nothing. I had a memorable trip!”

“The type of people who travel by rail differs from buses,” Rai, opines, “They are more adventurous and open to a casual chat. I’ve met some real nice people and had interesting conversations with strangers on trains. I guess rail travel still has an air of history, adventure and romance.”

When asked if they would ride trains or buses if travel time was the same, almost all say they prefer trains.

“I definitely would take the train as it’s still much safer than a bus. Plus it’s a smoother ride and you can walk about,” says Rai.

“Yeah, they’re cleaner and greener, so why not. It’s always fun,” adds Prashant.

All agree trains are a lot more comfortable, with one even saying that the klak-klak-klak sound the train makes is hypnotic and lovely. – By DEEPAK GILL

Interior Features (http://www.ktmb.com.my/section.cfm?id=140)


http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538107/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538108/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538118/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538123/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538140/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538157/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538154/p.jpeg

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/538167/p.jpeg

KTMB Gets First Locally Assembled Coaches
April 22, 2005 18:16 PM




PORT KLANG, April 22 (Bernama) -- Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Friday received the first 11 locally assembled economy class coaches.

The air-conditioned coaches, worth RM21 million, were assembled by Kuala Lumpur-based engineering company Hartasuma Sdn Bhd with parts imported from India.

They can seat 74 passengers each and are equipped with passenger information system, vacuum toilets and baggage racks.

Previously, KTMB imported its coaches mainly from South Korea and Japan.

The new coaches were received by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who said they would be used in KTMB's inter-city services in a month's time after trials.

With the new coaches, KTMB targeted to carry 3.9 million passengers in its inter-city services this year up from 3.7 million last year, and the number would rise to 4.1 million next year and 4.3 million in 2007, he told reporters.

He said the new coaches were an important investment by the government to upgrade the KTMB service quality and attract more passengers.

KTMB now has 49 air-conditioned economy class coaches out of 207 coaches in its inter-city services. It rovides 26 inter-city services daily.

Hartasuma chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Khatib Abdul Hamid said the company was negotiating with the Thai government to supply rail coaches for its railway.

-- BERNAMA

Rail systems of the future




http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/23/features/f_07train.jpg

Shanghai’s maglev train is a peep into the future.

Imagine every raya season...how nice if we could travel KL-Penang, KL-Johore in an hour. Less traffic on North-South expressway, less business so no need to expand it to 4, 6 lanes. :)
we should seriously think of upgrading our rail service to european standard..but German's maglev a bit expensive la...Japanese bullet train or france's tgv would be nice :)

i totally agree.i kept telling to myself,if only Malaysia has high speed train like Maglev from states to states!Imagine,i can actually travel to Singapore from Melaka town in just within an hour.sob...sob....

i totally agree.i kept telling to myself,if only Malaysia has high speed train like Maglev from states to states!Imagine,i can actually travel to Singapore from Melaka town in just within an hour.sob...sob....

But then again, no one is gonna take coaches and thousands of employees will then have to be retrenched soon...

But then again, no one is gonna take coaches and thousands of employees will then have to be retrenched soon...

Retrain the coache drivers to drive high end machine at the tech industry plants.
Retrain the jobless labour force (Malaysian) into skilled workers. Introduce more industry parks along the high speed rails system, build new towns to diversify the economy zone in every state.

If possible build another normal rail line bridge to (Indonesia) for the sake of cheaper raw materials. Develop a malaysian industry park in sumatra, sooner later migrate malaysian cheap labour factories there. malaysian should focus all more medium, high end and service industry. :)

But then again, no one is gonna take coaches and thousands of employees will then have to be retrenched soon...


Yes.....coaches would still flourished as it is cheaper. A high-speed line are usually priced like an airplane ticket thus only a segment of the market are able to afford it ;)

Imagine every raya season...how nice if we could travel KL-Penang, KL-Johore in an hour. Less traffic on North-South expressway, less business so no need to expand it to 4, 6 lanes. :)
we should seriously think of upgrading our rail service to european standard..but German's maglev a bit expensive la...Japanese bullet train or france's tgv would be nice :)


Any high-speed line would be an addition instead of upgrade. ;)

This is because our standard gauge for our railway line itsn't the same as those for Shinkansen or the TGV. Furthermore we have freight trains and also connections to Thailand and beyond thus we just can't change the gauge standard :)

I would really wanna see a high-speed long-distance rail in Malaysia in my lifetime ;)

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/images/logo_edgeasia.gif
KTMB likely to raise freight, passenger rates
25-04-2005
By Jimmy Yeow



KTM Bhd, which is likely to raise its rates for freight services this year, has sought a fare increase for passenger services next year, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy says.

“Rates for freight services would go up sometime this year while we are looking at the possibility of fare increase in the passenger train services in 2006,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after officiating at the 1st Asia Rail Conference & Exhibition in Petaling Jaya on April 25, Chan did not disclose the quantum of fare increase sought by the railway operator.

KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said the last passenger fare revision was in 1992 with an average 15% hike while the commuter train services fares were increased by between 5% and 20% in 2003.

He said KTMB’s monthly fuel bill was about RM4.1 million, of which RM3 million was for diesel and RM1.1 million for electricity for its Komuter train services.

The government subsidises at 91 sen per litre of up to one million litres of diesel required by KTMB monthly with the balance of one million litres being acquired at the market price of RM1.40 per litre.

FinancialDaily had earlier this month reported that KTMB is mulling a fare increase as its fuel bill had gone up to RM40 million from RM24 million yearly. KTMB posted RM330 million in revenue last year, of which RM107 million was contributed by its freight services.

Meanwhile, Chan said KTMB was calling for tenders for the construction of a new workshop and training centre at a 162ha site in Batu Gajah, Perak. The project, estimated to cost RM400 million, is expected to be completed in 36 months.

The existing workshop is part of the 119ha of land in Sentul to be handed over to Sentul Raya Development Sdn Bhd, a 30:70 joint venture between KTMB and YTL Land & Development Bhd, for mixed development.

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/images/logo_edgeasia.gif
KTM projects RM65.5m inter-city ticket sales
05-04-2005
By Jimmy Yeow



KTM Bhd is projecting RM65.5 million in its inter-city ticket sales this year, up 3.1% from RM63.50 million last year with an aggressive marketing campaign, says its general manager of inter-city services Azman Ahmad Shaharbi.

The campaign, which kicked off on April 5, is aimed at attracting more passengers during the off-peak seasons via various programmes.

“We are also mulling to reduce fares to attract passengers only during off-peak periods in the second half of the year,” he said at a media conference at the KL Sentral on April 5.

He expected inter-city passenger traffic to rise to 3.90 million in 2005 from 3.70 million a year ago after the campaign.

The average load factor for inter-city train services was 65%. However, during the off peak period – from Mondays to Thursdays – the average load was 30% compared with 120% during most weekends or public and school holidays.

To meet the extra passenger demand, he said KTMB had ordered 10 air-conditioned economy coaches costing RM20 million from India and they would arrive by end-May.

He acknowledged KTMB was facing stiff competition from budget airline AirAsia and from the good road and highway infrastructure.

KTM Intercity operates 12 express services, 10 local train services and two shuttle services between Johor Bahru and Singapore daily.

Azman said KTM had also rescheduled the timing of its inter-city train services to accommodate passenger demand.

Asked whether KTM was seeking a fare increase due to higher fuel prices, he said KTM was studying the issue as its fuel bill had gone up to RM40 million a year from RM24 million yearly.

“Under our 30-year concession agreement with the government, we have to seek the Transport Ministry’s approval,” he said.

Last week, the government approved the fare increase of between 0.9 sen to 12 sen a km from May 1, for express and stage buses and hired cars in Peninsular Malaysia.

“The government subsidises one million litres at 91 sen while our usage is two million litres monthly. We have to purchase the remaining one million litres at the market price of RM1.40 per litre,” Azman said.

“The higher fuel bill will add more pressure on our attempt to reduce our losses of RM50 million last year,” he said.

KTM's AFC (Air Conditioned First Class)
by Connie Cheng

http://www.pbase.com/conniecwm/image/40692731.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/conniecwm/image/40692787.jpg

so... would you recommend a tourist to take the train or the bus to KL?....

we plan to visit KL from Singapore.. we plan to buy tickets on AEC seats... and we would like to make sure that we won't be disappointed when we actually bought the tickets.....:D

I recommend bus because it is faster and for the amount you spend on the bus ticket, you get nicer seats :D

Anyway I believe you're on a short trip so no point wasting precious time on train. Train is a good experience but only recommended to those with lotsa lotsa time to spare ;)

so.. it would be the time factor that is your consideration... hmmm... :D is the train delays very common?....

yeah it would be a very quick trip around KL.....

well.... we intend to sleep on the train.. on our way there... hhmmmm.... thanks for the suggestion....

The longer time on the train isn't the delay but the various stops at various stations along the way. Plus the train isn't moving at extreme speed like those of TGV or ICE :D

Bus service from Sg to KL usually are direct with maybe a single 10 mins stop for food, relaxation and toilet break so they usually take between 4 hours to reach KL. For train ......hmmm......add another 3-4 hours to that ;)

Oh and one more thing........I also usually take the train and sleep on it. But if you're a light sleeper and not used to sleep in moving vehicle, then I do not recommend train as it is just as bumpy as bus. With bus at least you could depart let say at 8pm and arrive in KL at midnight and spend a night in a hotel ;)

hey fly to KL la... airasia from JB to KL only 30rm... hehehe

Aha... I think (Al)so lah!.This is where you can fly from Johor Bahru (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=139824&page=1).....hahahah

hmmm.... thanks guys for the suggestions... great help! :D

Cheaper fare, comfort for rail travellers
By ESTHER CHANDRAN
Tuesday July 12, 2005




PASSENGERS travelling on board KTM's intercity trains can opt for cheaper travel with the new E-Plus coaches.

KTM Intercity Services general manager Azman Ahmad Shaharbi said the fare for the E-Plus coaches was slightly cheaper compared to the second-class coaches.

The coaches, he said were fitted with modern facilities and design and the difference between second class and E-Plus was that the latter was not equipped with television sets.

“There are 10 E-Plus coaches costing RM20mil and they have been incorporated with our services to the north, south and east,” Azman said at the launch of KTM's Rail Quiz 4 and the Rail Quiz 3 prize-giving event at Sentral Kuala Lumpur station recently.

He said KTM hoped the new economy coaches would make rail travel more comfortable for travellers.

“We hope to encourage more people to travel by rail with these new coaches and help increase the number of passengers using our services,” he said.

Azman said Rail Quiz 4 aimed at promoting and attracting more people to use the intercity services as an alternative mode of travel for business or tourism purposes.

The quiz, he said, was during the off-peak period from July 4 to Aug 18.

“Since this is an off-peak period, we hope to interest more people to use our services during that time especially now that the Government has approved a five-day working week for government servants.

“We also hope that those in the private sector working five days a week will also consider using rail services to travel within Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand,” he said.

The contest is open to all KTM passengers who spend a minimum of RM30 or S$30.

Each entry must be accompanied by a KTM intercity ticket or tickets worth RM30/S$30, purchased during the duration of the contest.

The contest has several prizes up for grabs including several Nokia handphones and travel tickets to KTM destinations.

Azman also gave out prizes to the winners of the Rail Quiz 3, which took place from April 5 to May 25.

First prize of a four-day, three-night holiday package to Kota Kinabalu for four went to Ooi Hock Aun while second prize winner Noraxma Sabeli won a four-day, three-night holiday package for four to Kuching.

Third-prize winner Fazilah Abdul Aziz won a holiday package to Pulau Langkawi, Cheong Weng Sheong was fourth with a holiday package to Penang while Prince Assad A Kahar won the fifth prize of a holiday package to Pulau Tioman.

Azman said during Rail Quiz 3, KTM recorded an increase of 3,000 passengers and RM300,000 in increased ticket sales compared to the same period last year.

KLIA Ekspres Rail Link Route Map (Purple)
KTM Komuter/Antarabandar (Red)
North-South Expressway South (Yellow)

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/43/map1mx1.jpg

The inter-city Train service is very convenient but very slow !! This one I dont agree with Paklah..he should not scrapeed the $3 b rail project !

Business Times - 15 Jan 2007

Malaysia says study backs S'pore bullet train

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia gave its backing on Monday to a US$2.3 billion plan to build a bullet train between Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring Singapore, saying that a study had shown the proposal was feasible.

Malaysian property and utility firm YTL Corp Bhd has proposed to build and run the train between the two capitals, cutting the journey to 90 minutes from today's glacial pace of seven and a half hours along a colonial-era rail corridor.

'We are for it,' Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said in an interview at his office. 'We have allowed them (YTL) to do a feasibility study, which they have done, and so they came back to us and said the project is feasible,' he added. 'So now the government is conducting a social impact study because it involves land acquisition.'

The idea for a high-speed train between the two cities, spanning about 300 km, dates back to the late 1990s, but it came to the fore last year after the government invited companies to come up with ideas for privately funded projects.

Mr Chan said the plan would not involve any major government outlay on basic infrastructure, merely facilitating the project by allowing for land to be acquired and approvals granted, including negotiations with Singapore. -- REUTERS

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

today's Star had a few articles on the Velaro E high speed train from Siemens, looks like Siemens/YTL are still hopeful for approval for this project, wouldn't it be great if they do use the Velaro E

High-speed train offer from Siemens

STORIES BY CHAN CHING THUT

YTL Corp Bhd managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh raised the buzz on high-speed rail service when he proposed the service to link Kuala Lumpur and Singapore last July.

Until now, no decision has been made as the Malaysian government is still studying the proposal.

However, Siemens is ready to share its expertise in high-speed rail technology if the project gets the approval.

Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd transportation systems head Tim Hunter said the company was likely to work with YTL Corp if the latter was awarded the project.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/4/23/business/b_p16velaroE.jpg
The Velaro E has a top speed of 350km an hour
YTL Corp had conducted a study, which found the project feasible.

“The Government is identifying the political, economic and environmental impact and all issues relating to the existing transportation network,” he told Malaysian reporters during an international media tour of the new Velaro E in Madrid, Spain, recently.

The Velaro E is the latest in the high-speed trains platform developed by Siemens.

Hunter said there was no deadline on when the Government would conclude the study but he anticipated “soon”.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/4/23/business/b_P16interior.jpg
The interior of the Club Class
“The topography of Peninsular Malaysia is appropriate for high-speed rail.

“As for challenges, it will be to cross the straits into Singapore and integration with existing rail system,” he said, adding that the route could possibly begin at KL Sentral station, linking the KL International Airport (KLIA), Johor Baru and end at Singapore's Changi Airport.

“That will make more sense because inter-modal exchanges are important. It has to be linked to existing transport modes.

“The service may probably link Malacca and Putrajaya, although nothing is confirmed yet,” he said.

The distance between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore City is 325km. If the Velaro E is used, which has a top speed of 350km/h; travel time will be reduced to 90 minutes.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/4/23/business/b_p16cockpit.jpg
The cockpit
Hunter said the train's proposed seating capacity was between 400 and 500 people on a single trip.

YTL Corp has previously drawn the expertise of Siemens to develop the Express Rail Link, which connects KL Sentral and KLIA.

Siemens has also managed the Ipoh-Rawang double-tracking electrification project, hence, it feels it could offer its latest technology should the high-speed rail project receive the green light.

Besides Siemens, other players that provide high-speed rail technology include France's Alstom, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Hitachi from Japan and Spain's Construccionesy Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles S. A.

Although Hunter did not reveal the project's actual cost, he said it would run into billions of ringgit as factors such as land acquisition, route, civil engineering and system costs, speed and density had to be considered.

According to published reports, the high-speed rail was expected to cost RM8bil.

“Land acquisition cost will be significant. Funding will be another main challenge and it is unsure at the moment who will bear the cost.

“Private finance initiative is one of the options. The project could be completed between two and five years, but that will depend on the engineering issues that may crop up,” he explained.

Hunter said an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore was highly important before the project could even proceed.

With the Rawang-Ipoh line open next year,what kind of trains will KTM buy?

Do Siemens offer narrow gauge trains?

The last time i heard was KTM wanted to get Pendolino but as far as I know the fastest narrow gauge train is the Australian QR train but have some realibility problems. I think KTM should look for trains from Japan since all their rails are on narrow gauge except the shinkansen. I heard the fastest narrow gauge train by Hitachi can reach up to 160km/h.

^I also heard that Pendolino was the favourite.Not a bad choice coz it's widely used.

Perlis

http://wikitravel.org/upload/en/7/73/MalaysiaPerlis.png

by aiz7

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/5/12/15/f_12m_73eaee5.jpg

http://img40.picoodle.com/img/img40/5/12/15/f_13m_5d753e9.jpg

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/5/12/15/f_14m_376f681.jpg

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/5/12/15/f_15m_96ec4d6.jpg

by Wayne_Lim

http://img30.picoodle.com/img/img30/5/12/16/f_07m_2dad1ae.jpg

hey fly to KL la... airasia from JB to KL only 30rm... hehehe

Kl-Penang 30m, Penang-JB 1 hour?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVayaa8x7GQ/S0QkBee-ySI/AAAAAAAAACo/tv2IRKSN3dc/s400/KTMB_Train64_Outside.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVayaa8x7GQ/S0QjshaPVsI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Fa301bh1ry0/s400/ne_12_1.jpg

Kl-Penang 30m, Penang-JB 1 hour?

i think he means, 30 ringgit.. not minutes...

i use the ktm intercity twice
latest from segamat to wakaf bharu
took almost 12 hours...huhuhu
what can I say is...it better than those in egypt..even in 3rd class

i use the ktm intercity twice
latest from segamat to wakaf bharu
took almost 12 hours...huhuhu
what can I say is...it better than those in egypt..even in 3rd class

i beg to differ.
i took a train from KL- Penang
Express Sinaran if not mistaken....
3rd class/economy class is really very bad.
Toilet are not clean and have unpleasant smell.
Worst is that the coach has little cockroaches roaming around.
It took around 8hours to reach.
The television isnt functioning.
Eventhough i paid for economy class also there shouldnt have such problem exist.....little cockroaches roaming around is just not good.

^^That is bad. My friend took a train from Butterworth to Padang Besar. When he showed me his photos inside the train, it is really in dire state. Those interiors badly need refurbishment.

I hope ETS won't reach that level!

^^ Express Sinaran for southern section la...
Northern section is Express Rakyat...
what to expect.. ktmb.. even last time i took the first class coach also the toilet isn't that clean... but i dun really care since im not a frequent toilet user.. even when i took the night train.. i only went to toilet once from KL to SG...

its ok
in ktm's economy class you still have your own seat right
and you can use the toilet anytime you want eventhough there have a smell or anything
and there just have cockroaches that if you dissipate it,it will run somewhere
but my experience in egypt, I don't have my own seat
so...I stand along the journey..even you cannot sit at the floor because there so many people...sometimes they bring along their sheep together
the smell is terible...although in the coach..huhuhu

give time to ktm to make their improvement
I believe when edt project is complete..the service far more better than nowdays
I sometimes envy because the northern states get the edt project earlier than southern states especially johore my state..huhu..i really sad the government make seremban-gemas not seremban-johor bahru in earlier proposal..huhu

I have high hope in ktmb to improve their system and everythin... wait till EDT finish.. once it happen if nothin is taken care to improve then, that is the time to bash them for having such a crap services...

agree2!!! give them a chance since tis project involved highest cost in infrastructure project..

i always take sinaran petang train from jb-kl or kl-jb, or senandung malam. once in economy class, that will be my last, the seat is very hard. but what can i expect from economy. other time, i took 2nd class or sleeper bed. not so bad. seat almost same/cramp like in the b737 economy. toilet, errr not so good.

i think ktm should intoduce executive coach like argo in indonesia. it looks so great!