KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will not only complement existing services provided by KTM, but pave the way for a holistic and seamless rail network nationwide once completed.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong told the Dewan Rakyat today that he hopes an amicable solution on routes can be reached with states which the ECRL will service, such as Selangor.
Wee said it is his responsibility to ensure that the nation's rail network is complete – and this will be achieved through the ERCL.
He described the rail project as a game changer for East Coast residents, who will experience train travel at speeds of over 160km/h – meaning they would arrive in Kuala Lumpur in a mere four to five hours.
"Apart from us restoring the rail track infrastructure, spanning the Tumpat to Gemas route, we must also think long term. This is the time when we can assist the East Coast states such as Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan by opening up the economic corridor for the people.
"In the process of finalisation, I hope that we can find a formula, together with Selangor and the other states. The ECRL connection cannot be done in-silo and it should be connected to the existing public transportation (infrastructure)," he added.
Wee said this in his reply to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim Bandar Baharu) on his vision for the future of KTM's East Coast railway network.
Meanwhile, he said work to complete restoration of East Coast railway track infrastructure damaged by a flood in Dec 2014 is expected to be completed by mid-2021.
Wee said three contractors tasked to facilitate repair works on the sector, spanning from Gemas to Tumpat, have recorded progress of between 75 per cent and 97 per cent.
Wee said the government has allocated RM874.7 million to repair track infrastructure and its rolling stock for the East Coast, which will see RM778 million being spent in repairing the Gemas to Tumpat network.
Another RM96.7 million, the Transport Minister said, will be channelled into restoring stations and other damaged infrastructure.
As of last month, the RM216.9 million track restoration work from Gemas to Mentakab, conducted by Hikmat Asia Sdn Bhd, stood at 86.44 per cent completion; Mentakab to Gua Musang by Fajarbaru Builder Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM259.7 million stood at 97 per cent; and the Gua Musang to Tumpat route, carried out by Emrail Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM301.4 million stood at 75 per cent.
He said it is the government's priority to repair the severe damage sustained by the rail network's track infrastructure, signalling equipment and maintenance machinery, which were submerged by the devastating floods.
In the flooding, office buildings, stations and quarters – especially in the Manik Urai, Dabong, Kemubu, Kuala Krai and Chegar Perah districts – were also badly hit.
Wee also said that the government is ready to consider the resumption of express train services from Kuala Lumpur to Tumpat once restoration and upgrading works are completed, if there is high demand.
As an alternative, Wee said commuters can choose to board the Electric Train Service (ETS) from Kuala Lumpur to Tumpat, and take the interstate train service from Gemas to Tumpat.
Wee said this in his reply to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pas-Pasir Mas) who had asked when train services from Tumpat through Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah towards Kuala Lumpur and vice versa will resume, after they were discontinued due to the floods in 2014.