Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail, Progress to Date

Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail 

Background

In 2010, the Government of Malaysia launched the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) with the objective of transforming Malaysia into a high income nation by 2020. Under the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley (GKL/KV) National Key Economic Area (NKEA), the Southern Corridor High Speed Rail (HSR) was one of the Entry Point Projects (EPPs) that aimed to improve the economic dynamism of Malaysia’s capital city as well as livability rankings relative to other global cities.  

Currently, the Kuala Lumpur – Singapore route is serviced by 3 main modes of transport: air, road and an existing intercity rail network. The routes relevant for the Southern Corridor HSR saw strong growth in terms of passenger-km of travel, with the total travel market growing from 5.47 million passenger-km in 2005 to 7.45 million passenger-km in 2011.

There is a need to improve connectivity between the two countries, as currently daily traffic congestion is acute and far exceeds the capacity of the Causeway and Second Link, with the current infrastructure provisions. 

The primary objective for the construction of the HSR is to reduce the travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to 90 minutes by strengthening the link between two of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and fast-growing economic engines. In addition, the HSR presented an opportunity to open up and rejuvenate smaller cities in Peninsular Malaysia by connecting them to the two major metropolises. The HSR is an efficient and safe mode of transport which results in dramatic travel time savings.

The Project

Once operational, the High Speed Rail would serve as the fastest point-to-point mode of public transport travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The High Speed Rail is seen to be in line with the transformation of the nation as it links 2 urban agglomerations to meet growing demand, catalyzing economic growth and enhancing long term economic competitiveness while improving the quality of life of its people. The High Speed Rail will connect 5 intermediate stops in Malaysia to Singapore, following a coastal route.

The stations that have currently been identified are the terminus station in Kuala Lumpur at Bandar Malaysia (announced at the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in 2014), Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Nusajaya and the final stop in Singapore at Jurong East (announced at Leaders’ Retreat in 2015). 

Socio-Economic Benefits of High Speed Rail

Among the benefits of this project is that it will enhance Greater KL/KV as a location of choice for businesses, while facilitating the seamless flow of individuals and businesses between the two countries. Leveraging on the HSR line, socio-economic development will also be enhanced along the HSR corridor. 

The economic and social benefits derived from the agglomeration of 2 cities bring about a huge development potential. The geographical concentration of clusters of businesses and employees will result in an enlarged pool of specialist skills, labour and talent. 

The construction of HSR lines have brought about broader socio-economic benefits, as shown by examples from around the world below. 

TGV

The city of Lille was hit hard by the closure of its traditional industries, including coal mining. To replace the jobs lost, the mayor of Lille campaigned hard to get the HSR line routed through the city, as they looked to reap the benefits a new transport line would offer. Lille is now the nodal point between Paris, Brussels and London. A new through station for the TGV was built near the site of the old station, adjacent to a major commercial center, with offices, hotels and a large retail space. There has been reorganization of local universities, including housing some faculties in old cotton mills, creating local employment and businesses there. The high speed line there is seen as a catalyst for continuing growth.

China High Speed Rail

China’s high-speed rail system has emerged as an unexpected success story. Where other emerging economies are faltering in comparison, economic and transportation experts are citing the high speed rail as one reason for China’s continued economic growth.

Just five years after China’s high-speed rail system opened, it expanded to carrying nearly twice as many passengers each month as the country’s domestic airline industry. With traffic growing 28 percent a year for the last several years, China’s high-speed rail network will soon handle more passengers than the 54 million people a month who board domestic flights in the United States.

The economic growth can also be related to worker productivity, as a paper by the World Bank recently found. Chinese cities connected to the high speed rail network are likely to experience a broad growth in worker productivity due to the companies finding themselves within a couple of hours train ride from tens of millions of potential customers, employees and rivals.

China relocated large numbers of families whose homes lay in the path of the tracks and quickly built new residential and commercial districts around high-speed train stations. The new districts, typically located in inner suburbs, not downtown areas, have rapidly attracted large numbers of residents, partly because of China’s rapid urbanization.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/business/global/high-speed-train-system-is-huge-success-for-china.html?_r=0

Feasibility Study Stage

Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (“SPAD”) was tasked with undertaking the execution of this project in the initial stages. The first stage examined the business case for developing the high speed rail, and a feasibility study that looked at the strategic, economic and technical aspects of the high speed rail was conducted. The feasibility study took into consideration local conditions and needs, with input from all stakeholders. This was then tested against international benchmarks and technical experts.

Progress to Date

Currently, Malaysia and Singapore are in discussion to ensure the various implementation aspects such as the design, financing, governance, operations, security requirements, immigration requirements, and legal arrangements are thoroughly covered and the most mutually beneficial outcomes are achieved through close cooperation between the two governments.

http://www.spad.gov.my/projects/high-speed-rail

kcontents

"from past to future"

daily construction news

conpaper