By Sharen Kaur/ NST Business Times - November 5, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Rail Project (Gemas-JB EDTP), designed to reduce travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru by half when it connects with the existing Padang Besar-Gemas line, is expected to be fully completed by April next year.
It is understood that 98.1 per cent of the estimated RM9.5 billion project is completed.
"The Gemas-JB EDTP stations in Genuang, Segamat, Labis, Bekok and Paloh are now open for public use. Power supply is fully operational, and most of the line has been electrified. Only minor adjustments remain, with full operation expected around the middle of next year," according to sources close to the project.
The Straits Times reported additional delays on the Gemas-JB EDTP, citing issues in Johor's Segamat district. Segamat is set to be the first of 11 new stops spanning major districts in Johor, including Kluang and Kulai, before ending in Johor Bahru.
Initial plans aimed to launch service on the 26km segment from Gemas to Segamat by July, later pushed to October, but electrification setbacks have postponed these timelines.
A market insider told Business Times that these delays are partly due to late arrivals of electric train sets (ETS3) for the line.
Malaysia received its first ETS3 set, with a seating capacity of 312, in June, delivered by contractor CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd to the Ministry of Transport in a ceremony in Zhuzhou, China.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke was reported to have said that all ETS3 trains are expected to be delivered by August 12 next year.
These trains will be utilised on the Gemas-JB EDTP and across the entire West Coast Rail network, from Padang Besar to Johor Bahru, he said.
The CRCC-CREC-CCCC Consortium, a Chinese contractor specialising in large-scale rail projects, is leading construction. SIPP-YTL, appointed by the consortium, serves as the Malaysian subcontractor.
Officials from SIPP-YTL were unavailable for comment.
The 192km Gemas-JB EDTP is part of the nationwide electrified double-tracking rail development initiative, aimed at modernising the west coast rail line from diesel to electric trains.
The Gemas-JB EDTP, which began in 2017, has faced multiple delays from an original October 2021 target due to COVID-19 disruptions and land acquisition issues involving reluctant squatters.
The project is now anticipated for full completion by April 2025.
Once operational, the line will reduce the travel time from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur to 4½ hours, down from seven hours by diesel train.
According to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), the completed project will increase rail freight capacity between Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and is expected to serve around 3,000 daily passengers on the Johor Bahru-Kuala Lumpur route.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2024/11/1129686/gemas-jb-rail-line-almost-completed-operate-1h-2025-bttv
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