ECRL berpotensi mula operasi Disember

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook announced during a Gombak station event that the Eastern Corridor Rail Link (ECRL) project could potentially commence operations as early as December, ahead of the previously set January 2027 target. According to Loke, the government is currently investigating ways to simplify and shorten the testing and commissioning process, particularly for the fault-free run (FFR) phase, without compromising safety.

"If everything runs smoothly, we are confident that ECRL operations could begin as early as December this year, rather than next year," he stated after completing a comprehensive inspection train (CIT), main ECRL station design review, and initiating system integration testing (SIT) and FFR at the Gombak station.

Loke clarified that the FFR process typically takes around two to three months, but the government is exploring ways to reduce that timeframe based on comparisons with other countries. He emphasized that any efforts to expedite the process would not compromise safety, including the testing of all 10 ECRL train sets required before service commences. "Of course, we will take no risks. We are simplifying without compromising safety. Once we reach the FFR stage, all previous tests will have already passed," he added.

Five ECRL train sets have already arrived in Malaysia, with the remaining sets expected to follow in the coming months, having already completed various tests in China. Each train set can carry up to 425 passengers, so a single train operating two to three trips per day could potentially handle around 10,000 passengers daily. ECRL stretches 665 kilometers, connecting Kota Bharu in Kelantan to Gombak in Selangor for Phase 1, with project construction involving Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor.

The minister noted that the workforce preparation for ECRL also began about two years ago, including training in China, and most personnel are now in the final stages of preparation before operations commence.