Key Changes in the ETS3 Timetable Effective 1 January 2026!

KTMB is launching a major new ETS timetable effective January 1, 2026. Key changes for January 2026 are as follow. Southern Sector (KL Sentral - JB Sentral):  Becomes ETS Platinum, with 8 daily services Depart KL @ 07:55 Arrive JB @ 12:15 Depart KL @ 15:15 Arrive JB @ 19:35 Depart KL @ 17:35 Arrive JB @ 21:55 Depart KL @ 21:10 Arrive JB @ 01:30 Depart JB @ 08:40 Arrive KL @ 13:00 Depart JB @ 12:45 Arrive KL @ 17:05 Depart JB @ 16:20 Arrive KL @ 20:40 Depart JB @ 20:30 Arrive KL @ 00:50 North-South Direct:  The Padang Besar – Segamat service extends to JB Sentral. Depart Padang Besar @ 12:05 Arrive Ipoh @ 15:10 Arrive KL Sentral @ 17 :50 Arrive JB Sentral @ 22:30 Depart JB Sentral @ 07:35 Arrive KL Sentral @12:16 Arrive Ipoh @ 14:48 Arrive Padang Besar @ 17:53 ETS Silver Upgrade: Ipoh-KL ETS Silver services are being upgraded to ETS Gold Service Tiers : ETS Platinum: Operates the primary Southern Sector (KL–JB). ETS Gold: Used for longer cross-country routes (e.g., JB–Padang Besar). ETS Silver: These services will no longer operate starting January 2026.

RTS Link SG - Johor Bahru | Construction Progress August 2025

S'pore - M'sia Causeway Transport Access Map

Info courtesy of RailTravel Station

Trial electronic arrival card for foreign visitors to Singapore

ICA to launch electronic arrival card for foreign visitors to Singapore after three-month trial



The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be launching an electronic arrival card that will eventually replace the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card that foreign visitors are currently required to submit on arrival, said the authority in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 3).

To ensure smooth implementation of the new electronic arrival card, a trial will be conducted by the ICA for foreign visitors for three months from Thursday.

The trial will be conducted at most of the air, land and sea checkpoints such as the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, Changi Airport and the four cruise/ferry terminals.

During the trial period, foreign visitors who arrive at these checkpoints but have not yet completed the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card may be approached by ICA officers to participate in the trial and provide feedback.

The trial will not affect Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders (such as students and workers) returning to Singapore, as they do not need to submit any disembarkation/embarkation card.

More details of the implementation of the system will be announced at a later date, after the trial is completed.

When the electronic arrival card is fully implemented, travellers can submit their personal information and trip details through the ICA website or via a mobile application before arriving in Singapore.

The travellers will then need to produce only their passports for immigration clearance upon arrival.

Currently, the card contains information such as details of the traveller's flight to Singapore, his intended length of stay and where he will be staying. These details will still be required under the new electronic card.

The electronic arrival card will be available in various languages, and those travelling in families or small groups can choose to make a one-time group submission. Some information such as last port of embarkation as well as address in Singapore will be automatically replicated for all in the group.

The mobile app will also save information from previous trips for use during the next trip to Singapore.

"The electronic arrival card will enhance operational efficiency and is a significant step towards ICA's vision of paperless immigration clearance, and save up to 48 million paper-based disembarkation/embarkation cards a year," said the authority.

ICA said that it studied and took into consideration the practice and experience of countries that have implemented a similar model of the electronic arrival card, as part of the authority's conceptualisation and design process.

Mr Duong Dat, 23, a software engineer from Vietnam who visits Singapore once or twice a year to meet friends, said an electronic arrival card would be great, as it will reduce the waiting time at arrival.

He added that it will also remove the last-minute scramble for him to fill up the information. “Sometimes my itinerary information is not available if I have no Internet connection (on the plane) and I have to write it down at the airport.”

Bruneian Hana Latiff, 24, who visited Singapore twice this year for youth programmes, is happy that the paper use will be reduced.

She also noted that the data-saving feature will be handy as she would not have to fill the form every time.

But Ms Hana, an administrative staff, added: “I might be concerned (about going online), as I am not sure how secure my data will be.”

The move is part of a series of recent high-tech measures by ICA.

Earlier this year, X-ray imaging scanners were introduced at the Tuas Checkpoint to better detect components on buses and vans that have been modified or contain explosives.

A new Web portal called MyICA was also launched by the authority in June to make renewing and applying for a new Singapore passport easier.

In August this year, eye-scan trials were rolled out for Singaporeans and permanent residents at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The trial involves officers scanning travellers’ iris images in addition to fingerprint verification.

~News courtesy of The Straits Times~

Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link to open by 2024

Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link on track to open by 2024, should cut down Causeway jams: Khaw Boon Wan



Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan visiting the site of the future RTS Link and Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stations at Woodlands North.

Works on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which will allow commuters to take the train across the border, are on track for completion in 2024, the Land Transport Authority said on Tuesday (April 17).

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan shared photos and videos of the progress of the RTS Link.

He visited the sites at the Woodlands station, as well as Bukit Chagar station in Johor.

"We are bullish about the upcoming RTS Link, linking Woodlands North Station to Bukit Chagar Station in JB," he wrote. "When completed in 2024, it should be the preferred mode of transport for commuters crossing the Johor Strait."

He added that the trip between the two stations takes just five minutes.

"Over at Bukit Chagar, ample provisions will be made for Malaysian commuters to park their vehicles," wrote Mr Khaw.

He added that the development "should shift commuters currently using the Causeway", and said the RTS Link is expected to "significantly cut down the Causeway jams".

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak had witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement to build the RTS Link on Jan 16. 

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Malaysia and Singapore to sign RTS

Malaysia and Singapore to sign RTS

Malaysia and Singa­pore will sign an agreement on the Rapid Transit System (RTS) rail track linking Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore which is expected to commence in 2024.

The signing of the agreement tomorrow will be witnessed by the two prime ministers – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Lee Hsien Loong – after their eighth annual retreat here.

The RTS is another notch in connectivity links between Malaysia and its southern neighbour which will also see the High Speed Rail (HSR) between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore starting in 2026.

The RTS, first announced after Najib and Lee’s annual retreat in 2010, will integrate with public transport services in Johor Baru and Singapore. It was originally targeted to be operational by 2018.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Zulkifli Adnan in a media briefing yesterday said while waiting for the rail link to start operations, there must be efforts to reduce the congestion at the Causeway.

“We have seven more years to go, so what are we doing to address the present congestion?

“Transport ministers of the two countries have been discussing the possible solutions, including increasing the Tebrau bus shuttle service from 26 trips to 31 each way and reviving ferry links,” he said.

Najib, who is arriving today, will be accompanied by seven Cabinet ministers including Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Rahman Dahlan.

Zulkifli said a memorandum of understanding on educational cooperation will also be signed.

The Prime Minister will pay a courtesy call on President Halimah Yacob who was sworn in as the eighth president last year.

Lee and Najib will also launch the Marina One and Duo projects jointly developed by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek.

The two projects are part of a land swap deal for KTMB land in Singapore, with Marina One in the Marina Bay area and Duo in Ophir-Rochor Road boasting of office space, retail shops and luxury apartments.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Electric Train Service provides smooth ride from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis

Electric Train Service provides smooth ride from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis



Commuter Vincent Khor feels the interior of the electric train operated by Malayan Railways is comfortable and cosy. There are even power sockets under the seats.

I was very excited about taking Malaysia’s Electric Train Service (ETS) from Kuala Lumpur (KL) to Arau, Perlis, for the very first time.

It was probably the best decision I made on this trip – to travel by electric train instead of car or plane during the Labour Day weekend in April/May, to participate in the Perlis Marathon.

I bought my Malayan Railways ETS train ticket online.

When I fly, I prefer an aisle seat in the centre of the plane. I decided to make the same seat selection for the train ride. From the online ticketing system, I couldn’t tell if the seat I had chosen was facing the direction the train would be moving or the other way around. And I also couldn’t tell if the cafeteria was in the same coach.

What I was looking forward to was a nice, cosy seat with peace, quiet and privacy so that I could get some sleep. I needed some rest ahead of the marathon, which was held exactly one minute past midnight on the day I arrived.

While waiting for the train, scheduled to depart KL Sentral Station at 7.05am, I bumped into so many runners, some of whom I knew. They were also planning to take the same train and take part in the same marathon.

As I was about to board, I saw Kin K Yum (the marathoner, photographer and newspaper columnist) pushing his foldable bike and walking towards the train platform. I chatted with him for a while. He told me he was waiting for another friend Chan Wai Yee, who I met later, who also brought along a foldable bike. That was such an awesome idea – travelling with foldable bike for leisure cycling after the run in Perlis!

We found out that we were in different coaches so off we went to our separate seats.

TRAIN TO PERLIS

As I entered Coach C, I passed through a nice-looking cafeteria.

My seat was in a four-seat layout, with two seats facing another two, and a blue table in the middle. Throughout the journey, I was not be able to stretch my legs comfortably. Or if I took a nap, strangers sitting across me would be able to watch me all the time.

I was worried I would snore, or saliva would drool from my open mouth, in front of strangers. What if a fellow passenger decided to take a video of me snoring and upload it onto YouTube or Facebook? That made me wonder how I could sleep throughout the five-hour ride.

Five minutes after the train departed, Kin (or "KK" as his friends call him) came over to ask if I wanted to join him and the other runners in their coach. I thought all the seats were sold out! KK then told me that he bought an extra seat, which he was offering to me. My prayers were answered! I would have some peace and a restful journey.

FROM KL TO IPOH

The journey would have 14 stops before its scheduled arrival in Arau at 12.13pm. Pretty fast and efficient.

I found out that the train was moving at speeds averaging around 120kmh, reaching 150kmh at times. However, inside the train, one didn’t feel the speed at all as it ran very smoothly. It was a great way to travel, and we beat the traffic jams along the North-South Expressway!

From cityscapes, the views morphed into smaller towns with lush green vegetation before arriving at the old and beautiful Ipoh train station.

FROM IPOH TO ARAU

The journey from Ipoh saw an even more noticeable change in the landscape. I could spot more oil palm plantations, more forests, and finally padi fields, especially in Kedah. I got excited when the train passed the freshwater lake at Bukit Merah near Taiping. It was the lake I swam in when I took part in the 113 Triathlon last year.

We got off the train at Arau station. We then took the bus to Kangar, where the marathon would be held.

Before we arrived, I suggested to KK and Wai Yee to assemble their foldable bikes in the spacious air-conditioned train.

To our surprise, the train attendant did not object to them assembling their bikes in the train. In fact, he was courteous and friendly.

I was so impressed by the whole train experience – it was unforgettable, awesome and pleasant.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Johor Bahru - Singapore train schedule

S'pore-JB MRT to begin passenger service by 2024

Singapore-JB Rapid Transit System to begin passenger service by 2024

A cross-border MRT system which will connect Singapore and Johor Baru in Malaysia will begin passenger service by the end of December 2024, ministers from the two countries announced on Monday (Jul 31).

A bilateral agreement on the Singapore-Johor Baru Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will be signed by December this year, the ministers said in a joint statement after the 13th meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia.

The meeting was co-chaired by Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

The RTS Link was first announced in 2010. Singapore has confirmed that its RTS terminus will be located at Woodlands North station, along the Thomson-East Coast MRT line, while Malaysia has chosen Bukit Chagar as its main terminal for the RTS.

The link will be connected via a high bridge.

The RTS Link will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers in each direction every hour, said the statement. Once it begins passenger service, the existing KTMB Tebrau shuttle will cease operations.

At the meeting, both governments also agreed on the key commercial agreements for the RTS Link. Each will appoint an infrastructure company to fund, build, own, maintain and upgrade the civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries.

SMRT, PRASARANA EXPLORING JOINT VENTURE TO OPERATE RTS

Both governments will also jointly appoint an operating company to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and renew the RTS Link operating assets like trains, tracks and systems, said the statement.

The operating company will be directly appointed for the first concession period, and joint ventures between Singapore and Malaysian entities are preferred to encourage bilateral cooperation, it added.

Metro operators Prasarana and SMRT are currently exploring the formation of a joint venture company to be the RTS Link operating company.

Mr Khaw told reporters that Singapore's preference had been to call an international tender to operate the RTS Link and award it to the best bid, but Malaysia had different views on the matter.

“After discussing with our Malaysian counterparts, they felt the project is a little too small, and may not attract competitive bids,” he said. “So the decision was, maybe we will forget about tendering this particular tender, and work towards negotiating a contract – at least for the first concession – with an experienced operator.”  

Mr Khaw added that both operators will need to settle the commercial terms in the joint venture early, especially if the bilateral agreement between both countries is to be signed by the end of the year.

“So they can agree – yes, we’re going to get married and form the joint venture – and we can interact with them to negotiate,” he said. “That in itself should take several months.”

“So we are anxious and eager to make sure they settle this joint venture understanding as early as possible.”

EASING THE CAUSEWAY JAM

In the meantime, both governments noted that more can be done to manage congestion at the Causeway, the statement said. To that end, the KTMB Tebrau shuttle has increased its initial 14 daily trips in 2016 to 26 daily trips as of June to cope with the demand.

“We know residents are concerned about the Causeway jam,” said Mr Khaw. “In a way, that reflects the very strong activities of trade, of people between the two countries.”

“So both sides are working very hard to try to relieve the problem.”

Within the next few years, the shuttle frequency should be raised to 36, “if we press on with some solutions,” he added.

But Mr Khaw stressed that once the RTS Link begins operations, the shuttle will cease within six months in order to “give greater certainty to the commercial players” who are thinking about operating the RTS Link.

“Potentially, one can cannibalise the other,” he said.

“Once the KTM service ends, then we can look into a much more comprehensive development of the (Woodlands) checkpoint,” he added. “The land of course will be returned to Singapore, and then we can start planning how we can achieve a more decisive redevelopment of the checkpoint.”

“Then hopefully this problem of the Causeway jam can be significantly mitigated or even eliminated.”

Mr Khaw added that fares for the RTS Link will not be regulated, and will be “purely market-driven”.

“We will leave it to the operators ... but they have to compete with so many people ... buses, motorists and motorbikes,” he said. “So even though the KTM shuttle will stop, it’s not as if we’re giving them a monopoly, because it will never be a monopoly.”

“They will have to be realistic," he added.

"EXCITING PLANS" FOR WOODLANDS AND JURONG: LAWRENCE WONG

Also present at the meeting was Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, who said his ministry is preparing “detailed masterplans” in both Woodlands and Jurong, where the Singapore-KL High-Speed Rail terminus will be located.

He said there are “exciting plans ahead” that will create good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans.

“Both these two centres will become commercial centres for business, because they have good connectivity,” he said. “So I think they will be ideal for businesses with Asia, ASEAN and Malaysian linkages.”

He said the site around the High-Speed Rail terminus in Jurong will be a “mixed-use precinct” with offices, housing, hotels, and other commercial and recreational uses. It will also be integrated with the nearby Jurong Lake Gardens. 

“We want this to be a car-lite precinct that is sustainable, pushing the boundaries of energy and water efficiency,” he said. “And we will try to push all the district utilities and infrastructure underground so we can free up surface land for more valuable use.”

He added that a detailed masterplan will be showcased at an exhibition later this year.

As for Woodlands, Mr Wong said it could be the “next regional centre” after Tampines and Jurong, pointing out that the redeveloped checkpoint and RTS Link will give Singapore “very good connectivity with Malaysia”.

“Domestically we are also enhancing connectivity with the new Thomson-East Coast Line as well as the North-South corridor, and just a few months ago we also announced the upgrading plan for Woodlands, which includes new amenities, a new town plaza, and upgrading of the parks and gardens,” he said.

“So with all these put together I think we will also see a transformed Woodlands in the next five to 10 years.”

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

The High-Speed Rail (HSR) line linking Singapore and Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) is expected to start operations around 2026. This was announced at a joint press conference on Tuesday (July 19) after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the neighbouring countries.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, comes ahead of a legally binding bilateral agreement that will be inked by the end of this year.

Construction of the HSR is scheduled to take place from 2018 to 2025, followed by testing, commissioning and finally kick-off for the revenue service a year later.



The HSR line will run for 350km, with 335km in Malaysia and 15km in Singapore, and on two tracks going in opposite directions. It will comprise eight stops in total: Singapore, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Ayer Keroh, Seremban, Putrajaya and KL.

Existing train services take up to 11 hours to journey between Singapore and KL. However, with the line able to reach top speeds of 300km/h, travel time between KL and Singapore is expected to drop to around 90 minutes - excluding clearance at customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ). There are, however, plans to co-locate CIQ checkpoints at Singapore, KL and Iskandar Puteri to facilitate “seamless travel”.

This means, for instance, that at the Jurong East terminus, one would be able to clear Singaporean immigration and a few steps later, Malaysian immigration before boarding the train, reaching KL and stepping out into the city centre itself.

Travel time for the HSR between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri in Johor Bahru is expected to take around 10 to 15 minutes.

Both governments agreed that each will take responsibility for developing, constructing and maintaining civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries - MyHSR Corporation for Malaysia and the Land Transport Authority for Singapore.



“COMPETITIVE” FARES

It was also announced that two train operating companies will be appointed to run the HSR service. An international operator will handle the express service between the Singapore terminus at Jurong East and the KL end at the upcoming Bandar Malaysia development. The same operator will also oversee a cross-border shuttle service between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri.

Another operator will run the domestic service within Malaysia. The express service will have scheduling and operational priority over a domestic line servicing the six stops in Malaysia between Singapore and KL.

The HSR trains are expected to be 10 cars long, with the capacity for up to 100 passengers per car.

Fare will be set commercially by the operators and “competitive with airfares”, said Singapore authorities.

A separate private entity will design, build, finance and maintain the trains as well as rail assets, like trackwork, communications, signalling and power. It will also allocate and control track access. Depots and maintenance facilities will be located in Malaysia.

The Singapore and Malaysian governments will build and fund infrastructure work such as viaducts, tunnels and stations within their territories. Both governments also agreed to form a bilateral committee comprising representatives from both sides to manage and regulate aspects of the project which might impact the cross-border services.

TENDER PROCESS WILL BE "FAIR AND TRANSPARENT"

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, PM Lee noted that the tender process is one issue that has to be discussed by Singapore and Malaysia. He said: "This is one of the items which has to be settled and has to be discussed between the two sides, to how the project is going to be structured, to how the tenders will be called, what's the sequence in which they're going to be called, what does each package consist of, and then how will the tenders be evaluated."

Mr Najib said: "Because this project has attracted so much international interest, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that the process will be a very fair, transparent, objective process. But we are both committed to ensuring that this will happen because the image and integrity of both countries will be at stake. So you can be rest assured that the process will be carried out in the fairest possible way."

Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan said: “We are committed to making sure that this project comes to its conclusion. As far as I’m concerned, and as both Prime Ministers mentioned ... it will be an open, transparent and fair tender process.”

He mentioned that he had personally seen several companies that had shown some interest, including companies from China, Japan and European countries.

Mr Abdul Rahman added that the pricing for trips on the HSR would be affected by the bids for the project even though it would likely be benchmarked against airfares. "I believe it will be market-driven."

When asked about the cost-sharing arrangement between Singapore and Malaysia, Mr Abdul Rahman pointed out that much of the track will be in Malaysia, with more than 300km in Malaysia and about 15km in Singapore.

“But we’re not looking at the length, we’re looking at the cost. Of course, building 15km underground in Singapore would probably cost as much. So it will be an equitable, fair percentage for both countries,” he said. However, he added that he was not at at liberty to disclose the exact percentages until the bilateral agreement is concluded.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

New JB-Woodlands train service from July 1

New JB-Woodlands train service from July 1

A new shuttle train service plying between Woodlands and Johor Baru (JB) Sentral will start on July 1.

Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) will operate the service called Shuttle Tebrau.

There will be 14 trips daily: seven from JB Sentral Station and seven from Woodlands Station.

A one-way fare from Woodlands will cost $5, while the return trip from JB Sentral will be priced at RM5 (S$1.80).

KTM said in a media release that the shuttle service will provide a transport solution for commuters who are travelling daily from Johor in Malaysia to Singapore.

"It is also an effort to reduce the massive road congestion, especially during the peak hours at the Johor Causeway," the operator added.

The departure timings from Woodlands Station will be: 6.30am, 8am, 9.30am, 5pm, 6.30pm, 8pm and 11pm.

From JB Sentral, the timings will be: 5.30am, 7am, 8.30am, 4pm, 5.30pm, 7pm and 10pm.

On each trip, the train can ferry between 300 and 320 passengers.

Commuters said that, compared with taking the bus to JB, the train may be quicker but will cost more.

Travel blogger Liau Yun Qing, 29, said it took her about two hours to get from Queen Street in Singapore to JB Sentral on Saturday, using the Causeway Link bus service.

"This is because of the queues to clear immigration and queues to board the buses again (after clearing immigration)."

The ride cost her $3.30 going in and RM3.40 coming back.

There are currently seven cross-border bus services which ply between Singapore and Johor Baru: two are operated by SBS Transit, one by SMRT and the other four services by private bus operators.

Prices for the private services range from $2 to $7.

KTM said that, with the new shuttle, train services from Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Butterworth and Gemas stations - which currently end at Woodlands Station - will end at JB Sentral instead from July 1.

Commuters will have to use Shuttle Tebrau to complete the rest of the journey to Singapore.

Said beautician Janice Lee, 50, who visits JB occasionally to shop and eat: "I've never taken the train (to JB) before, but if this new shuttle service is convenient and safe, I wouldn't mind giving it a try."

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Fares increased for taxi, train and express bus services

Fares increased for taxi, train and express bus services

Be prepared to pay more for your public transport. The increase in taxi fares takes immediate effect while train and express bus charges will be raised on May 1 and May 15 respectively.

Budget taxis in the Klang Valley and Johor Baru will charge 25 sen per 200m and 25 sen per 36 seconds although the flagfall will remain at RM3 for the first kilometre.

This is a sizable increase as each budget taxi will get RM1.25 per km (from RM0.87 per km, up by 44%) and 42.67 sen per minute (from 28 sen per minute, up by 49%).

For example, a budget taxi that is stuck in traffic for an hour will take in RM25 (RM30 for those in Penang) from time-based charges alone, up from RM16.80 previously. This is likely to make taxi drivers more willing to face congestions.

Express buses will charge 2.1 sen more (or 22.5%) per km, setting the new fare at 11.4 sen per km.



Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said taxi and express bus operators were facing rising costs, adding that the last fare review for both was in 2009.

“We took into account the needs of the operators and the public (in coming up with these new fares),” he told reporters at SPAD headquarters here.

Teksi 1Malaysia (TEKS1M) cabs – consisting exclusively of the brown Proton Exora – are the only taxis to have the flagfall rate raised from RM3 to RM4.

The hike in taxi fares does not cover airport limos and executive taxis (typically blue in colour), and is limited to Peninsular Malaysia.

According to SPAD, taxi fares would be reviewed each year based on operating cost changes.

Although the increase in fares took immediate effect, taxis could only charge the new rates after the meter had been recalibrated.

SPAD chief executive Mohd Nur Ismal Mohd Kamal said it would take one to two months for all taxis to use this new setting.

“There’s a panel of service providers they can go to. We have asked them to increase (operating) capacitym,” he said.

SPAD said that senior citizens, the disabled and children below 12 years old would continue to enjoy the 25% discount on express bus fares.

On train fares, Syed Hamid said SPAD had given its approval to KTM Bhd and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd to set new rates covering LRT, KTM Komuter, KTM Intercity and KL Monorail.

According to SPAD, the Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT Line fares have not been reviewed for the past 19 and 17 years respectively. Monorail, KTM Komuter and KTM Intercity fares have remained the same for 12, 12 and 25 years respectively.

Mohd Nur said the fares of stage buses would not be increased now or in the near future.

“This is because low-income earners rely on stage buses for transport, and they cannot afford to pay more,” he said.

He added that the Government would cover stage bus costs.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

JB - Woodlands KTM shuttle train

wef 1 Dec 2014

S'pore, Malaysia high-speed rail link

S'pore, Malaysia agree on high-speed rail link

Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to build a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with a target to complete it by 2020.

This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday during their annual Leaders' Retreat.

With the new link, it will take about 90 minutes to get from Singapore to KL and vice versa.

The two leaders described the high-speed rail system as a strategic development in the bilateral relations, saying it will dramatically improve the connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore.

The link will also facilitate seamless travel between KL and Singapore, enhance business links, and bring peoples of Singapore and Malaysia closer together.

Mr Lee said: "It is a strategic project for the two countries. It will change the way we see each other. It is the way people in London and Paris are able to think of it -- as twin cities, where you can commute, go up there, do business, meet friends, have a meal and come back, all within two thirds of the day.

"And I think it is going to be a game changer. It will transform the way people interact, the intensity of our cooperation and the degree to which we become interdependent on each other and therefore have stakes on each other's success."

The leaders added that it will usher in a new era of strong growth, prosperity and opportunities for both countries.

They said ultimately the project will give both countries greater stakes in each other's prosperity and success.

Mr Najib said a joint ministerial committee will look into the details of the project.

He said: "Our two cities will complement each other. Our two countries will look at each other differently and the opportunities are boundless between our two countries.

"So I am excited about the project. We will certainly do our level best to meet the 2020 deadline. It may go slightly beyond that, but those are details in implementation.

"The modalities will be offered to Singapore. Basically, we want Singapore to participate in this based on the different kinds of options that we will offer to the Singapore government."

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Train between S'pore & M'sia remain cancelled

Train services between S'pore & M'sia remain cancelled

Train services between Singapore and Malaysia remain cancelled, after a Singapore-bound train derailed and overturned near the Kempas train station on Saturday.

Malayan Railway (KTM) said repair works are expected to be done by Thursday.

With the temporary disruption in train service, many passengers are turning to buses. Some bus operators reported a 20-per cent increase in passengers heading to Malaysia on Sunday.

They added that the accident will not cause too much disruption as it occurred during the off peak travel season.

Managing director of Grassland Express & Tours Pte Ltd, Tan Boon Huat, said: "If it happened closer to the Lunar New Year festive period when everyone starts returning home, then it would be very crowded."

～News courtesy of Channel Newsasia～

Track repairs to be completed Thursday

KTMB: Track repairs following train derailment to be completed Thursday

The Ekpres Sinaran Selatan No. 13 (Sentral KL-Woodlands) and Shuttle No. 61 (Gemas- Woodlands) train services remain cancelled as to repair the tracks following a derailment in Johor are expected to be completed only on Thursday, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) said Sunday.

It said the repairs were being carried out at Km738 near Taman Impian Emas in Skudai after four of the 10 coaches of the Ekpres Sinaran Selatan No. 13 jumped the tracks Saturday, injuring five passengers and a KTMB employee.

KTMB said that other train services to Woodlands would terminate at the Kulai station and the passengers would be transported in buses to the Kempas Baru station for the onward journey to JB Sentral and Woodlands by shuttle train.

It advised the people to contact the KTMB Customer Service Centre at 1-300-88-5862 for information. - Bernama

China starts longest bullet train service

China starts longest bullet train service

China started service yesterday on the world's longest high-speed rail route, the latest milestone in the country's rapid - and, sometimes, troubled - rail network.

The opening of the 2,298km line between Beijing and Guangzhou means passengers will be whisked from the capital to the southern commercial hub in just eight hours, compared with the 22 hours required previously.

State broadcaster China Central Television showed a 9am departure of the first train live from Beijing West Railway Station and its arrival later in Guangzhou at about 5pm.

It also carried live reports from inside the train, showing passengers toting cameras to snap commemorative photos.

Another train departed from Guangzhou for the capital at 10am, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Trains will travel at an average speed of 300kmh over the line, which includes 35 stops in major cities such as Zhengzhou, Wuhan on the Yangtze River and Changsha.

The Beijing-Guangzhou route was made possible with the completion of a line between Zhengzhou and Beijing.

High-speed sections linking Zhengzhou and Wuhan, and Wuhan and Guangzhou, were already in service.

China's high-speed rail network was established in 2007, but has fast become the world's largest with 8,358km of track at the end of 2010.

That is expected to almost double to 16,000km by 2020.

The network, however, has been plagued by graft and safety scandals, most notably a deadly bullet-train collision in July last year that killed 40 people and sparked public outrage.

The authorities said they have taken steps ahead of the line's opening to improve emergency-response measures, and maintenance and inspection of infrastructure, including track and rolling stock.

According to a ministry booklet, "the emergency-rescue system and all kinds of emergency pre-plans are established to improve emergency-response ability".

The start of the train service means that it will be in service over the Chinese New Year holiday period, which falls in the middle of February next year.

Hundreds of millions of people travel across the country during that period to visit their ancestral hometowns in the world's largest annual migration. --AFP