The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) service, set to be operational by January 2026, is one that will not burden consumers, transport minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong says. According to The Edge, claims that ECRL fares are to cost up to six times more than airfares are speculative and unsubstantiated.
Wee also says there are ongoing discussions at the federal level to have ECRL fares be equivalent with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad’s (KTMB) electric train service (ETS) for the west coast.
“It is a known fact that the ETS fares are very reasonable and much lower compared to airfares for routes and destinations on the west coast of the peninsula. The ECRL fares are fixed based on the recommendations of the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).”
“Basically, the rates to be fixed will ensure that ECRL fares remain competitive and affordable and at the same time be able to pay for the cost of operations and maintenance. What is most important is that it will not burden the consumers,” Wee says.
Now, construction of the 640-km mega project is on track, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The route, which involves the construction of around 59 tunnels, covers four states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor – and will cost roughly RM44 billion to build. That’s RM68.7 million per km, down from RM95.5 million.
The use of the standard gauge track – which as its name suggests, is the common modern rail standard – opens the path for faster trains, of up to 300 km/h if the operator desires. ECRL passenger trains will run at 160 km/h and goods trains will go at half that speed. Wee said the cargo transport service is expected to generate more than 70% of ECRL’s revenue.
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Of course the fares will be lowered now after able to reduced the construction cost and that is largely in no thanks to your predecessor.
This Wee kosong is really another joker in the whole shambolic BN gahmen. So sad for 60years , the country is becoming like pariah Sri lanka. Runaway train never going back. Wrong way on a one-way BN track…
PH braindead zombie detected…
Politicians allowance to follow ECRL ticket fare next time
They are not asking the right question. thats why this guy can bluff right left front behind
It is a proven track record, here in Malaysia, ridership is NOT BE ABLE to pay back the cost. or even make up MOST of the cost of the project. just ask Prasarana or whoever running MRT LRT or whatever RT
so this guy is not wrong. just price it like 50 ringgit. and 50 ringgit isnt much to travel to KL from Kelantan or Terengganu. considering you got train with food, aircond, etc, plus u are not driving. just sleeping all the way!
you lot got to ask this guy: How ridership is going to pay for 4/5 of the cost? or ask him to atleast calculate.
say the cost is 55 billion, then how much the price ticket gonna be if we would like to recoup 10 billion in 2 years? and all the cost within 10 years?
hes a professional engineer isnt him?
50 MYR probably can only take a person from KL Sentral to Kuantan or slightly beyond. Not likely to go beyond Pahang. This is the current fare.
If you insist to travel with 1 more person, then it is 100. With 2 more people, it is 150.
Two way, I guess so, unless you are migrating there. So multiply by 2 again.
Food of course is extra. Train food is not cheap, you know. Much more expensive than food in highway rest areas.
And then, you need to factor in the cost of local transport at the destination. Those who have been thinking about driving, car rental is going to be a necessity. This is minimum 100 MYR a day.
I think a lot of people on paultan do not use public transport…… so they have no clue about how much each mode of transport costs. If you intend to replace driving with a train ride, it is going to be as expensive as driving there. Public transport is much cheaper, only if you can completely get rid of a car. If you act like a middle class or a high income person, your public transport cost will be as high as private transport.
ETS fare is reasonable…..? It is expensive. Low income people find it very expensive, so they do not take ETS. High income people feel it is low class, so they drive. As a result, most ETS passengers are singles and students. Of course, these are typically young people who make the loudest noise (whether praises or objections). Do you hear from those who drop out? No.
ECRL is expected to have the same problem.
It is when decision makers are paid $$$$$ every month, and they think they are hired to serve people with $$$$$ income.
Dr m said ecrl costs RM80 bil. Now wee ka siong says its only half that.
They also said kb to kl in 4 hours. That is impossible if trains move at 160km/ hr. It has to go above 200 km/ hr to achieve this.
It is possible if they can optimise the route and to ensure straight line rails and long sweeping bend rails all the way from KV to Wakaf Bharu. But personally i think it will be over 5 hours to be on the safe side.
Ahsiongkor
The fares are not an issue.
Dont camouflage the real issue.
Tax payers are footing the RM50 Billion elephant contract,if factor in cost overruns and interests.
People will still take this ECRL if they dont want the annual festival jams.The question is,what is the load factor apart from Raya ,CNY and deepavali ? 25-30 % load factor?
Dr m said ecrl costs RM80 bil. Now wee ka siong says its only half that.
They also said kb to kl in 4 hours. That is impossible if trains move at 160km/ hr. It has to go above 200 km/ hr to achieve this.