High-speed rail link by KTM ??

The high-speed rail project is one of the 131 entry point projects being proposed under the Federal Government's Economic Transformation Programme.

(KTMB) president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said the link between the two cities would create beneficial spin-offs. "It is a great project," he said, adding that the project could propel the nation to be on a par with developed countries in Europe and Asia. It would be akin to the bullet trains connecting Britain and France through the English Channel,"

This is not the first time the plan for a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore has been proposed. It was proposed in the late 1990s, but the cost factor was the main reason the government decided not to go ahead with the project.

Aminuddin said a high-speed rail link would also encourage more direct foreign investments, create more business opportunities and boost the country's tourism industry.

He dismissed the idea that a high-speed rail link would result in KTMB ceasing its train services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, saying there would still be demand as there would be commuters wanting to disembark at other popular stations, such as Segamat.

Aminuddin also expressed his interest in participating in the proposed project. "We (KTMB) hope that we could contribute to the system by providing the operators with our expertise in handling railway systems," he said, adding that KTMB had more than 100 years' of experience with rail transportation.

For starters KTM should expedite the double tracking between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru as they have done for Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. The ETS is an excellent example of how this is possible. In less than two hours you can reach Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur.

No need for high speed stuff. Difference in travel time will be minimal, no land acquisition required, no massive purchase of new rolling stock, no new fancy foreign investment and no further day dreaming. Let's get on with it. KTM, you are almost there.

Meanwhile other transport mode operators have expressed support for a renewed proposal to have a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin said the proposed high-speed rail link is a "good idea" as it would provide travellers with more choices.

"One of the most important considerations is to ensure that the high- speed train is an integral part of our transportation system." Azmil said there should be connectivity to other city centre rail stations. "Both high-speed rail and air travel can complement each other if they are well designed and maintained."

AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said he was fully supportive of the project. "Whatever increases connectivity, we (AirAsia) will support."