Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in 90 minutes by bullet-train
China bids for chunk of high-speed rail project linking the Malaysian capital and Singapore, which is expected to start operations around 2026
Malaysia and Singapore signed an agreement Tuesday to build an ambitious high-speed rail link touted as a first for Southeast Asia that will knit the historically fractious neighbours more closely together.
The 350-kilometre bullet-train line from the regional financial hub of Singapore to Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur is expected to slash travel times to 90 minutes from the five or more hours by road today.
Authorities have yet to provide cost projections, but analyst estimates have been as high as $15 billion, a potential bonanza for foreign railway contractors as well as other businesses expected to feed off ancillary developments related to the project.
At a meeting in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya, officials from each side signed a memorandum to pursue the project, which is expected to pave the way for detailed talks and a call for international tenders.
One can have breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, lunch in Singapore, and be back in time for dinner in Kuala Lumpur
Authorities hope to get trains rolling by 2026.