Singapore and Malaysia are getting the first high-speed rail in Southeast Asia. The 350-kilometer bullet train will connect the economic capitals of the sometimes fractious neighbors, cutting a minimum five-hour car trip to a manageable 90 minutes.
The MoU is a step forward and signifies our firmest commitment to the iconic KL-Singapore High Speed Rail project https://t.co/72Ha3v4ful
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) July 19, 2016
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong oversaw the signing of the deal at a meeting in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya today.
V happy to witness e signing of HSR MOU. 1st trains will run in 2026 if all goes well. - LHL https://t.co/mrtHvQhh3Fpic.twitter.com/CggtGmxaGL
— Lee Hsien Loong (@leehsienloong) July 19, 2016
The two prime ministers first announced the idea in 2013. They expect the new high speed trains to start regular trips in 2026.
Historically, Malaysia and Singapore have shared complex and at times turbulent ties. Territorial, cultural, and economic disputes have been consistent since Singapore separated from Malaysia to become an independent state in 1965. Under the leadership of Malaysia’s Najib and Singapore’s Lee, relations have improved. This is in no small part due to the two leaders’ chummy relationship — that was on full display at the signing.
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The new high-speed rail line will connect Singapore to Malaysia’s economic hub, Kuala Lumpur. This is an important step forward for two nations with more than $110 billion a year in bilateral trade.
The new 90-minute commute between the commercial centers will be a welcome option for traffic-weary populations. The current five-hour road commute is often significantly longer due to regular congestion and has even been a source of political conflict between the two nations.
Ferries and air travel between the two nations has helped reduced congestion but will still take longer (counting security and pre-boarding time for the air travel) than the planned rail connection. And in one of the fastest growing (and thus more crowded) air travel markets in the world, alternatives to planes will be increasingly necessary.
A tender for the high-speed rail project will be issued next year. Analysts predict it will cost $15 billion. Chinese and Japanese firms are expected to lead the competition for the contract. The two East Asian giants have been competing across the region to secure high-speed rail projects. Japan won a $15-billion-dollar project in India in December but lost out to China last October for a $5-billion-dollar project in Indonesia. Nations across Asia are investing in high speed rail.
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The new high speed connection between Malaysia and Singapore comes as the two nations implement the ASEAN regional free trade agreement. Some analysts are even predicting the new train line could be an important step toward a more formal economic union between the neighbors.
The politics and long term economics aside, this new train is going to make commuting a heck of a lot easier. That is definitely something to celebrate in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.