Posted on 08/04/2013 8:28:10 PM PDT by TexGrill
SINGAPORE, Aug 3 — Malaysia has finalised its full report on the proposed high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Local television Channel NewsAsia reported Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal, chief executive officer of the Malaysia Land Public Transport Commission, as saying that the two sides will meet after the Aidil Fitri celebrations at the end of the month.
He said: “The base line alignment and all that is done. But of course, minor changes can still happen. We are just starting the process of engagement and discussion with the Singapore side, with the joint ministerial committee meeting up after Hari Raya.”
Speaking exclusively to Channel NewsAsia, Nur Ismal said details of the project, including the modality and funding, will be made public after discussions with Singapore officials.
Estimated to cost US$10 billion (RM32 billion), the high-speed rail link is expected to be completed by 2020.
It is set to cut travel time between the two cities to 90 minutes and the project has attracted keen interest from various international companies, including those from China, Japan, France and Spain.
Nur Ismail said industries can expect competitive bidding once open tenders begin next year.
(Excerpt) Read more at themalaymailonline.com ...
“It is set to cut travel time between the two cities to 90 minutes”
Cut? Ten years ago when I worked in KL/SG, the shuttle took about 45 minutes.
Well just think about it for a moment. You have to pass through Immigration, then you wait in a long line to go through security where you get an extensive pat down by Mohammed Farrakhan then pass through the see-through X-ray detector. Afterwards, you have to explain why your toothpaste will not be used for an act of terrorism. So 90 minutes is real fast, considering these circumstances.
Average speed 165 mph?
Average cost per length of $40 million per mile is a bit steep. But it’s way cheaper than California’s mess. Too bad they don’t believe in all private industry . . . (not like they still do in this country)
In theory, all of those things should apply whether you are travelling by air or rail. The only difference is the actual travel time, which will be slower by tail than air.
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