KOTA KINABALU: The state government is finding ways to improve and expand railway services in Sabah, says Datuk Ewon Benedick.
The Deputy Chief Minister III cum State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister said the Sabah Railway Department (JKNS) is conducting two studies on the state railway services.
“The studies involve reviewing our railway service fees and a feasibility study on a new route from Putatan to Kota Kinabalu, and from the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) to the Sepanggar Port,” he said.
Ewon said discussions on the fees and rates have reached 90% completion, and matters concerning them would be tabled to the ministry first before being brought up to the Sabah Cabinet for further deliberation.
He said these issues would only be discussed at the ministry level and then tabled in the Sabah Cabinet meeting once the studies are fully completed.
He said this after presenting the JKNS excellence awards and appreciation ceremony here, which saw 32 officers and staff being awarded and 23 others celebrated for their retirement on Tuesday.
Ewon said the feasibility study on the Putatan-KKIP-Sepanggar routes is expected to take around 12 months and is part of a long-term plan to expand railway services in Sabah.
The department is also sharing input for the Trans Borneo Railway feasibility study being conducted by the Federal Government, he said, Bernama reported.
He added the ministry will start a Sabah Sustainable Transportation Master Plan study this year, involving agencies such as JKNS.
