ECRL Kota Bharu–Gombak service targets December 2026 launch, a month ahead of schedule
GOMBAK, Aug 14 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Phase 1 service from Kota Bharu to Gombak is targeted to commence operations as early as December, earlier than the original schedule in January 2027.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the target depends on the smoothness of the ongoing testing and commissioning processes, including the System Integration Testing (SIT) and Fault-Free Run (FFR), without any compromise on safety aspects.
He said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and the main contractor China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) need to work to expedite the process so that the service from Kelantan to Selangor can commence by the end of this year.
“We are trying to see how the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) can help facilitate matters related to the testing and certification processes to expedite this project without compromising safety.
“Usually, it takes two to three months, so we want to see how we can shorten that time,” he said at a press conference after the launch of the Comprehensive Inspection Train (CIT) and the Introduction of the Main ECRL Station Design Concept, as well as the Start of the SIT and FFR ECRL Project at the Gombak Integrated Terminal Station here today.
Loke said the effort to accelerate the operation was made based on the assessment that various tests on the train had been conducted before it was sent to Malaysia, including tests at the factory in China.
According to him, the SIT ECRL starting this month will test the integration of various systems including electrical and signalling systems before the FFR is implemented in September.
He said the first train set and E-Loco each need to undergo FFR over a distance of 8,000 kilometres under the supervision of APAD to ensure that operational safety and reliability meet the established standards and legal requirements.
“FFR is one of the important processes before commercial operations because the train will move on the track under real conditions, but without carrying passengers,” he said.
Loke said that all previous tests must be completed and approved before the FFR is implemented, therefore the effort to expedite the period does not mean that any safety processes will be overlooked.
“We are more afraid than you. I am more afraid than you if there is a risk. Of course, we take all considerations into account,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also said the ECRL project has now recorded an overall progress of 95.08 per cent as of July for Phase 1, which connects Kota Bharu and Gombak.
He added that Phase 2, which connects Gombak to Port Klang, is expected to be completed by December 2027, with operations scheduled to begin in January 2028.
Also present at the event were the Chief Secretary to the Government and MRL chairman Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Haji Habibollah, the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, and Ministry of Transport secretary-general Datuk Seri M. Jana Santhiran, MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak and CCCC president Zhang Bingnan.
