Cover image via SAYS
There seem to be new developments for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project as the Malaysian and Singaporean governments have reached a consensus, according to an exclusive report by The Edge Financial Daily.
Both governments have agreed that two services will be available on the 330km high-speed rail (HSR) with direct service linking Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, and another with transit stops in between.
Image via Ahmad Yusri/NST
However, a turn of events sees the Ministry of Transportation spokesman from Singapore disputing claims that Malaysia and Singapore have come to an agreement as he said that several aspects of the joint project are "still under discussion"
The Singapore-KL HSR project was first announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2013 and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, with the project due to be completed by 2020
Although there have been ongoing talks between the two governments, little information has been disclosed.
Here's what we know so far:
1. It was reported that China Railway has estimated the cost to build the high-speed rail to be RM70 billion, almost 10 times more than the initial estimated amount of RM8 billion by YTL and Siemens AG in 2007. However, MyHSR Corp CEO Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed said that the amount remains as a "speculation".
2. About 150 companies have expressed their interest but China Railway will have an advantage in bidding for this project after buying stakes in Bandar Malaysia last week
3. The HSR is expected to shorten the time spent on travelling, taking only 1.5 hours to reach Singapore from Kuala Lumpur
Image via Norman Goh, Aidila Razak/MalaysiaKini
4. In May last year, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal said that a return ticket would cost less than RM400
Image via Norman Goh, Aidila Razak/MalaysiaKini
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