An East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) that stretches some 600 km, connecting passengers from Tumpat to Gombak in under five hours, may be a possibility, The Star reports. At the moment, travelling from Tumpat to KL by car, takes approximately six to seven hours, according to Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) CEO, Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah.
According to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the planned East Coast Rail Link will probably pass Dungun and Kuantan before stopping in the Klang Valley. “Here with the link, you’ll take about five hours,” Azharuddin explained. That said, the project’s completion date and costs have not been finalised yet.
The train for the new track will likely have a travel speed of up to 200 km/h according to him. “It’s no high-speed rail, but it’s faster than KTM trains,” the CEO noted. As for the line, it’s expected to be 538.6 km long, while the remaining 61.5 km will possibly be used as cargo spur lines. The line is also expected to pass Bentong, Mentakab, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baru.
A few of the advantages that SPAD highlighted with the development of the new line include economic growth in the east coast and a likelihood for 50% lower freight and passenger costs. Meanwhile, it was found that some 22 companies from three countries have expressed interest in the project.
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