HSR put on hold due to cost. Why not KTM instead?

selamat_datang — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:22:56 +0800

I noticed lowyat forum on average every year one HSR topic, the previous one 11 months ago.

Actually, it’s good that HSR put on hold because of costs. Because otherwise, debt leave behind for decedents, which is very irresponsible.

I just checked ChatGPT. If we want the KL-SG HSR to run at the same speed as Taiwan HSR (which is up to 300km/h), it would cost US$17-22 billion to build (in 2026 prices).

Which is much more than the costs of hosting World Cup: at least US$1.1 billion (in 2026 prices).

And much more than the net economic benefit (economic impact minus hosting costs) of hosting F1 at Malaysia: US$0.06-0.12 billion per race (in 2026 prices).

Malaysia need to host F1 around 216 years then can recover cost of building KL-SG HSR. 108 years even if share cost with Singapore and also recovered via Singapore host F1 revenue. Which is not practical (public transport concession period usually about 30 years only).

So, why not replace HSR technology with KTM ETS technology instead? Same alignment and local-express services as proposed. But KTM ETS instead of HSR. The construction costs can reduce to US$8.5–13.5 billion (in 2026 prices), which is a 35-50% cost reduction. Malaysia and Singapore just need to host F1 for 54 years then can recover already.

Honestly though, introducing rail connection to new areas like Batu Pahat and Melacca will no doubt improve the public transport connectivity and promote those areas’ development.

If it’s KL-SG KTM ETS instead, running at 140-160km/h, with an express train service running between KL and SG (just as originally proposed), still can travel between KL and SG within 155–170 minutes. Which is still 53-57% faster than bus (7am leave Jurong, Singapore, 1pm reach Kuala Lumpur. 6 hours or 360 minutes), and at least 13-44% faster than aeroplane (total 195-275 minutes from airport-to-airport, not including travel from Jurong to Changi at Singapore, and the travel from airport to city at Kuala Lumpur).

I thought PH government like to tell everyone how they reduce the cost of RTS Link and LRT3? KL-SG HSR change to KL-SG KTM ETS also can have 35-50% cost reduction, and still be faster than bus by 53-57% and faster than aeroplane by 13-44%. Still quite a good option leh, and somemore the introduction of rail connectivity to new areas like Batu Pahat and Melacca can help to promote the development of those areas.

So faster change the technology from HSR to KTM ETS, and revive the project as KL-SG KTM ETS already, can? Then don’t have to keep delaying anymore, and the project can finally bring to reality already.

Hopefully my contribution via this article can help to revive the KL-SG HSR project as KL-SG KTM ETS project, and thereby help to enlighten the people living along the KL-SG KTM ETS alignment.

You are welcome.

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HSR put on hold due to cost. Why not KTM instead?