20 January 2012
The number of passengers on the Express Rail Link (ERL) trains is expected to double when the extension of its line from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to klia2 is completed, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.
He said the ERL services, which included the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit, carried about four to five million passengers a year.
“Once ERL services are extended to klia2, the number of passengers will possibly double due to its convenience and connectivity,” he told reporters after visiting the construction site of the proposed rail extension here yesterday.
Kong said the project to extend the line to the new low-cost carrier terminal totalled up to RM100mil.
“The project is currently running smoothly and about 25% has been complete. It is scheduled be ready by Oct 31 while klia2’s construction is expected to be completed in April 2013,” he said.
He added that the extension was necessary in line with the development of the new terminal as it would enable passengers from KL Sentral to reach both KLIA and klia2.
“I hope that when klia2 is in full swing, we will be able to make ERL services available 24 hours a day to cater to flight arrivals in the wee hours of the morning,” he said.
Currently, ERL services run for 21 hours a day, taking a break between 1am and 4am.
Kong also commended the ERL services for achieving an “on-time” performance of 99.83%.
“ERL services have been operating for the past 10 years. After a visit to the ERL depot, I find that the trains are in very good shape as maintenance is done according to schedule and with the latest technology,” he said.
The project to extend the ERL line started in July last year and covers 2.14km in length.
It is learnt that the train journey from KLIA to klia2 will take three minutes.
In 2010, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced plans to build klia2, the world’s first mega terminal for low-cost carriers.
He said it was expected to boost the tourism industry by attracting more airlines and visitors.
Source: www.thestar.com.my
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