Romanticising train rides
Adopt a business model to rejuvenate Malaysia’s railway
DEVELOPING infrastructure and securing investments are the cogs in the wheel for Malaysia as it rebuilds itself. Its aspiration to become a developed nation by 2025 rests on these factors. A developed country is emboldened by a society functioning to its full potential because the infrastructure is solid. When there is less dependency on government coffers, it opens up the market for other business players. In five years, we must strive to make these goals achievable. Public transportation, particularly the rail services, for instance, can be improved.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has been committed to upgrading efforts since its corporatisation in 1992. First, the single track line was replaced with a double-tracking system; subsequently, electrical multiple units for the KTM Komuter service was introduced in 1995. The Electric Train Service with upgraded locomotives that can travel up to 160kph rolled out in 2009. It was 100 years ago, on June 1, 1885, that the country, under the British, established its first rail network connecting Taiping to Port Weld. Great Britain, which has the oldest railway system in the world, opened its first locomotivehauled public railway in 1825. It is now ranked eighth in the European Railway Performance Index (2017) for intensity of use, service quality and safety performance. From four big railway companies in the 1920s, it now has 23 operators of “franchised passenger services”.
Contracting out the operation of passenger services to private companies through franchising may be the next step for Malaysia. Reportedly, in June last year, a plan to rejuvenate KTMB was brought to the attention of the Council of Eminent Persons. If such a business model is adopted, the government may want to award franchises to train operating companies through open tendering. This could give new life to dismantled branch lines, such as the Seremban-Port Dickson or Tampin-Melaka lines. By romanticising train rides in the fashion of the Eastern & Oriental Express (Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand), the train system can be a more localised affair through the cooperation of state governments. Spillover effects, particularly for tourism, can be boosted through heritage and private railways, where companies take joint ownership of tracks. In the United Kingdom, steam locomotives serving private railways are great income generators.
With the popularity of intercity trains servicing the northsouth route, the number of road users have reportedly dropped. KTMB is aware of this, and plans are under way to give passengers “first class” services with a cashless payment system and more train sets to meet the high ridership. A new ticketing system is in the pipeline for international travellers through discussions with Thailand. Efforts should also be focused on image rejuvenation. Some KTM stations may need makeovers, and passengers’ complaints need to be addressed promptly. Malaysia’s railway was once flatteringly dubbed a “jungle railway”, where green foliage walled the narrow tracks and the trains often came in contact with wild animals. Such collective memory is the nation’s badge of honour as Malaysians proudly take its railway system into the 21st century and beyond.
Contracting out the operation of passenger services to private companies through franchising may be the next step for Malaysia.