KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which spans four states — Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor — has achieved an overall progress of 82.45% as of April this year, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the track installation, a core component of the ECRL project, has been successfully completed over 400km, covering the main line from Maran, Pahang to Kota Baru, Kelantan.
"This was completed two and a half months ahead of schedule.
"As such, track installation for the next 100km from Maran to Bentong, Pahang will begin this month and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025," he said in his speech during the launching ceremony of the ECRL Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Phase Job Opportunity and PLKI-ECRL Offer Letter Presentation Ceremony, here, Tuesday (May 6).
The construction of ECRL stations, Loke said, was progressing satisfactorily and is expected to be fully completed by the second quarter of 2026, to prepare for the project's operational phase.
"A total of 11 six-car EMU trains manufactured by CRRC Dalian, have been allocated for ECRL operations, with the first set expected to arrive in the country by the end of this year.
"These EMU trains will operate at a maximum speed of 160km per hour, providing a travel time of just four hours from Kota Baru to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, when commercial service begins in January 2027.
"Simultaneously, the ECRL Project has also allocated 12 E-Loco sets from CRRC Dalian for cargo transport, with the first set also arriving by the end of this year," said the Transport Minister.
"We are optimistic that ECRL, as a national infrastructure project, will drive the shift of cargo movement from road to rail, as an alternative mode of long-distance transport that is safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective.
"This aligns with the Ministry’s new policy to reduce road congestion and address environmental concerns such as lowering carbon footprints," said Loke.
Loke also announced that ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd has been established to oversee the O&M side of the ECRL project.
"The establishment of ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd is in line with the government's aspiration to strengthen the national rail sector by expanding railway services and creating job opportunities, particularly for youth in the field of railway engineering.
"We are in need of local experts, especially in railway engineering and maintenance, as rail services are key to the development of metropolitan and major cities in any country.
"With operations expected to commence soon, the O&M phase has become critical. We must ensure that this project is operated by a local workforce that is not only highly skilled but also well-versed in modern rail operations," he said.
The Ministry, which oversees the ECRL Project, has been informed that approximately 1,800 personnel will be required once the ECRL operational phase begins in January 2027, said Loke.
"From its beginnings of the construction phase, PLKI-ECRL is now moving forward with a focus on preparing for the (O&M) phase.
"The programme aims to benefit a total of 3,200 trainees during this phase.
"As a starting point, this year, 210 trainees from across Malaysia and various backgrounds will be sent to Liuzhou, China, for an intensive one-year training programme.
"The first group, comprising 102 trainees, is scheduled to depart for China in phases starting from May 15, 2025.
"These trainees, covering both technical and non-technical disciplines, will undergo comprehensive training that includes theory, hands-on practice, and real-life experience in rail system operations.
"The training is designed to produce skilled workers for positions such as assistant station attendant, signaling technician, and assistant train driver, among others.
"Even more encouraging is that all trainees in this program are guaranteed employment with ECRL upon completing their training," said Loke.
