Loke challenges ECRL to bring forward passenger services to December

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has entered its final testing and commissioning phase. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke has challenged the project's main contractor, China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), as well as Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), to initiate passenger services as early as December.

This proposed early launch would commence about a month ahead of the scheduled January 2027 opening. Loke stated that the Transport Ministry is prepared to facilitate approval and testing procedures, aiming to streamline the processes without sacrificing safety. The ECRL, spanning 665km, has reached 95.08% completion as of July.

The Gombak-Station section will undergo System Integration Testing (SIT) and Fault-Free Run (FFR) in the coming month, leading up to the launch. Loke believes that the early December launch would be ideal, as it aligns with the year-end school holidays, allowing residents and students along the East Coast to utilize the new rail link earlier.