Using freight trains to reduce traffic jams and pollution

Govt wants more cargo to go by rail

KUALA LIPIS: The Government wants to encourage the use of freight trains to transport cargo, to reduce the number of lorries on the road in a bid to ease traffic congestion, pollution and accidents.

“At present, only 10% of goods are transported by rail from ports and airports while the rest go by lorry,” Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

The goal is to have at least 50% of goods transported by rail, he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of track work machinery to Fajarbaru Builder Group Berhad yesterday.

To achieve this, he said, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad’s (KTMB) freight cargo services would be opened to other operators.

“Talks are being held with several local companies interested in offering these services,” he said, but declined to reveal the companies involved.

On the nation’s rail transformation programme, Liow said it was on track and would benefit not only urban dwellers but also rural communities.

He cited the RM800mil project to upgrade the GemasTumpat railway line as an example of how local communities from Negri Sembilan up to Kelantan would benefit.

The project, he said, would see the upgrading of 550km of railway tracks to allow KTMB’s diesel trains to travel at 90kph, up from the current 60kph.

Fajarbaru was awarded a RM260mil project to upgrade 194km of railway tracks between Mentakab in Pahang and Tumpat in Kelantan.

The project to upgrade the GemasTumpat railway line is expected to be completed by 2020.

Rail progess: Liow waving as he takes a group photo with (from left) Fajarbaru COO Toh Teong Hock, executive director Eric Kuan Khian Leng, chairman Datuk Low Keng Kok, Kuala Lipis MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad, Datuk Mustapa Long, Transport Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Datuk Chua Kok Ching and Major Abdul Rahman Din after witnessing the handover of track work machinery to Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd in Kuala Lipis.