Singapore to KL high-speed rail to be operational by 2026

The 350km journey would take only 90 minutes.

Singaporeans would soon be able to get to Malaysia’s capital in as quick as an hour and a half as Singapore transport minister Khaw Boon Wan signs a memorandum of understanding on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project.

According to a press release by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, the signing was witnessed by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, signifying the two country’s firmest commitment yet to the iconic project.

The LTA says the memorandum leads the way for a bilateral agreement to be signed by both governments towards the end of this year.

“Both Governments agreed that each will take responsibility for developing, constructing and maintaining the civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries, which will be undertaken by MyHSR Corporation and LTA (as InfraCos) in Malaysia and Singapore respectively,” the release noted.

The LTA added that the HSR would have eight stations, the termini in Bandar Malaysia and Singapore, and six intermediate stations in Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

“All stations will be designed to integrate with the local public transport systems to ensure seamless connectivity. The trains will run at a top speed of more than 300km/h. To facilitate swift and seamless travel, both Governments agreed to co-locate CIQ facilities at three locations – Singapore, Iskandar Puteri and Kuala Lumpur – so that international-bound passengers will need to undergo CIQ clearance by both Malaysia and Singapore authorities only at the point of departure,” the press release added.

Additionally, a joint project team comprising of representatives from MyHSR Corporation and LTA will be formed to coordinate joint aspects of planning and development works prior to the commencement of operations, the LTA added.