KUALA LUMPUR – The much-anticipated Gemas-Johor Bahru electrified double-track rail project (Gemas-JB EDTP) has once again stumbled, missing another project deadline. This rail initiative promises to significantly cut travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru and is seen as pivotal for enhancing regional connectivity.
Originally, the plan detailed stages to extend the existing railway line from the Malaysia-Thailand border at Padang Besar, reaching southward via Gemas. The new segment intended to pass through the Segamat district—among other districts like Kluang and Kulai—ultimately leading to Johor Bahru. With aspirations to accelerate the region’s transportation network, initial expectations aimed to have the electric train service (ETS) operational on the 26km stretch from Gemas to Segamat as early as October 2023.
Sadly, this latest timeline proved elusive yet again, with the train service postponing its launch following earlier delays set for July. The most recently cited complications stem from technical issues surrounding the supply of electricity necessary to operate the trains. "These tests are important and must pass to guarantee safety during train operations," said one official directly engaged with the project, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing after the missed deadline.
Reportedly, as of now, the new target is for the Gemas to Segamat train service to potentially commence after mid-November. It’s worth noting, too, how the builder team—YTL Construction alongside its joint venture partner SIPP Rail—has encountered hurdles, particularly with upcoming deadlines and completion of the technical aspects tied to the feeder line at Segamat’s Genuang Railway Station.
This feeder line serves as the backbone for high-voltage electricity delivery from the main supply to various feeder stations. At these stations, voltage is conveniently reduced before it makes its way to the railway's overhead system, providing necessary power to the electric trains. Currently, approximately 95% of track laying has been accomplished, leaving only the powering and testing of the electrification measures before service can be activated.
This setback marks yet another chapter of complications for the Gemas-JB EDTP, which has seen missed deadlines since its inception. Initially, the project broke ground back in 2017, with hopes for completion earmarked for October 2021. Unfortunately, significant delays attributed primarily to the Covid-19 pandemic alongside land acquisition challenges—which included squatter displacement—have plagued the initiative for over three years. Project proponents have optimistically set expectations for completion by April 2025, though skepticism looms as officials from YTL Corporation and Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport have yet to address existing inquiries about these hold-ups.
The electrified rail track is integral to Malaysia’s ambitious EDTP, launched during the administration of former Prime Minister Najib Razak back in 2011. This project aims to modernise the country’s railway infrastructure will form electric-powered double-rail lines throughout Peninsular Malaysia west coast, replacing older diesel train services. Despite lacking the same level of attention as major railway projects such as the East Coast Rail Link or the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail, the EDTP remains recognized as strategically significant by government officials.
Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi echoed these sentiments earlier this year, emphasizing the prioritization of the Gemas-JB EDTP, alongside the JB-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. The completion of these railway lines not only aims to improve the efficiency of freight operations between Malaysia’s Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelapas, but also aspires to bolster urban mobility between Johor Bahru and key city centers across central Johor. This potential connectivity could act as the catalyst for development across various localities, posited researchers at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute back in July 2020.
The entire Gemas-JB EDTP spans over 192 kilometers and has had its share of ups and downs throughout its construction. With rail enthusiasts and local businesses eagerly awaiting the launch, stakeholders are left hoping for quicker resolution to the technical difficulties and delays hindering this pivotal transport infrastructure.
