RM160b for rail services

KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government is committed to building an effective and efficient public transportation system, especially in urban areas, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pix).
To further improve the public transportation structure, he said the government is expected to spend RM160 billion on rail-related projects by the year of 2020.
"This is to cater to the strong increase in demand for inter-urban rail services," he said in his speech at the signing of an agreement between Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) and Chanchun Railway Vehicles Co Ltd (CRC) for the purchase of the six new high-speed trains.
The purchase of the trains is to cater to the rapid increase of passengers using the KLIA Ekspress and KLIA Transit services.
ERL executive chairman Tan Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said since the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 in May this year, the passenger volume has grown by 40% compared to figures for last year.
"The growth of key townships along our rail corridor has also been a contributing factor as we see more people opting to commute by KLIA Transit to go to work," he added.
In congratulating ERL and CRC for their new partnership, Liow said: "I believe ERL will continue to be a catalyst in helping us (the government) realise our national aspirations as we forge ahead with the Economic Transformation Programme."
He pointed out that the government has invested more than RM50 billion in building and upgrading the public transformation infrastructure since 1990.
Despite massive development of public transportation in the city, the government did not neglect development of such infrastructure outside the Klang Valley, he said.
"There has been significant infrastructure development and investments in the long-distance land transport sector," he said.
"In the recent budget tabling, about RM32 billion was allocated for the infrastructure of Mass Rapid Transit 2 (MRT) and LRT3, with another RM150 million allocated to upgrade the east coast railway line. This shows the government's commitment in improving the public transportation system," added Liow.
Liow said the extension of the MRT2 and LRT3 lines will contribute towards greater accessibility to the city for sub-urban residents.