What’s happening with the High Speed Rail project?

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/08/23...-rail-project/

What’s happening with the High Speed Rail project?


August 23rd, 2015 |
Author: Contributions



HSR, nothing happening?

Am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but for those awaiting the start of
high-speed train (HSR) travel between Spore and KL; the wait is going to be very
long indeed.

Lets look at issues one-by-one:

(A) Welcome to Malaysia?

Firstly, I pondered over the question: Are we welcome to visit Malaysia?

When I look at the daily jam at Tuas and Causeway (crossing), it is hard to
understand that we are welcome.

Any
evening, guaranteed a 1 hour jam. Friday, Saturday, evenings it jumps to 2
hours.

And, come a long weekend, its minimum 3 hours each way. Many of you would
have read the report that it took nearly 5 hours to cross during the recent ND
weekend.

And this is an ‘easy’ matter to solve, without spending billions building
another crossing (3rd crossing had been talked about).

As a regular crosser, the main problem is lack of personnel. At max, only
50% of the immigration booth will be opened. On the Spore side, there will be
about, 50 booths opened; but then all these converges into 4 lanes (2 on either
side) for customs inspection. And then to compound matters further, eventually
all lanes constricts to a single lane to exit the complex and gets to BKE.

All we need to do is double the number of customs lanes from 2 to 4 (on each
side) and viola, we doubled the speed, and halved the waiting time (without any
comprise on security)

And, of course, we should also send to the Msian immigration, our public
holiday calendar and specifically, mark out the long weekend we have – ok, and
whilst at it, emphasis to them ,that during long weekends, volumes triple, and
will be good to have more immigration officers working during these period.

(B) Rail infrastructure, past and present

The bane of our rail travel problem, is a legacy issue of single , narrow
gauge track.

This problem has been partially solved by KTM, with their “electrification
and double tracking program” that started some 10 years ago. Recently, electric
trains have started service from KL to all the way north to the Thai border town
of Padang Besar, going through major cities like Ipoh and
Penang/Butterworth.

To the
south, longtime connection exist till Seremban (recently, extended to Sungai
Buloh). Works is still going on to complete this till Gemas (in Neregi Sembilan,
border of Johor state). But, no works or serious talks to finish the “last
mile” to Johor Baru (no need to extend till Spore, as we will be the rail-head
and existing single track will be fine)

(C) HSR Proposal

This is a strange proposal for the following reasons:-

1. Why would Msia spend billions and not have this HSR pass through two
very important landmarks?

a. KLIA

Surely residents in Melaka, Muar etc would want a
fast connection to KLIA.

Esp since, their current ERL link between KLIA and
Sentral will be very similar in structure to the proposed HSR.

b. Johor Baru

One of their largest state, and HSR will not stop
at their capital city, JB. This would be like our MRT stopping at Chinatown, and
you walk to Raffles Place.

2. Cost

This very important issue has not been addressed
nor talked about since inception. Would Malaysia want to bear 90% of the cost as
majority of the infrastructure is on their land?
Would Spore want to pay
close to 50% of the cost, when we will have no jurisdiction on the rolling
stock?

Do bear in mind, that GB and France signed a
treaty (The Treaty of Canterbury, 1986) before they started construction of
their high speed link between London and Paris .

We are (a short) 5 years away from the proposed
target date of 2020.

3. JCC

So this brings up to a very interesting
development, namely, of the acquisition of Jurong CC in lightning speed. Compare
this with Keppel CC, who were given more than 5 year notice before their land
will be acquired.

And also, the strange move by JCC in suspending
trading of their membership AFTER the announcement. In all normal situations,
trading is suspended Before major/material announcement. After the announcement,
trading resumes as all parties are supposedly in the know – caveat
emptor.

So, what will happen to this land eventually? Condos?

My apologies, for shattering your dreams for a fast and comfortable ride; I
too wanna see this happen, as all major successful cities have their rail
connections as their backbone.

• London has Euston, Charing Cross, Liverpool St, St Pancras, Paddington,
  Victoria, Waterloo, London Bridge and King’s Cross, as rail head stations.
• Paris has Gare du Nord, Gare d’Est, Gare d’Lyon.
• Manhattan, NYC, has Penn and Grand Central (and now WTC)
• Tokyo has 6 major stations. And their main station, Tokyo Station, has over
  3,000 trains coming in and out daily; with half a million passenger boarding
  each day.
• Beijing – I don’t know how to count

And just to be cynical, Malaysia has to do (is doing) what is in their best
interest, and they are not in the business of helping
others.

John CB
Chou
Singapore

* Submitted by TRE
reader.




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