ECRL fare structure to be finalised by year-end, says Loke

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): The fare structure for Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is expected to be finalised by the end of this year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), the project and asset owner of the railway, is currently reviewing an appropriate pricing structure for both passenger and cargo services, he said.

“The proposal will subsequently be submitted to the Ministry of Transport for consideration and approval. The fare structure is expected to be finalised by the end of this year,” Loke said in a written parliamentary reply to Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN–Setiu) on Wednesday.

Shaharizukirnain had asked about the latest progress of the ECRL project and when the fare structure for passenger and cargo services would be finalised.

The ECRL is a mega infrastructure project linking the Klang Valley in Selangor to the East Coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. The project costs RM74.96 billion, comprising RM50.27 billion in construction costs and RM24.69 billion in other development costs.

Spanning 665km with 20 stations, the ECRL aims to reduce travel time between Gombak, Selangor and Kota Bharu, Kelantan from at least seven hours by road to about four hours by rail.

As the project edges closer to its targeted operational date in 2027, attention has turned to whether the multi-billion-ringgit rail line will be financially viable.

In 2024, MRL announced plans to form a joint venture with the project’s main contractor, China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), to jointly bear the operational risks of the railway.

On the project’s progress, Loke said the ECRL had reached 90.81% completion as at December 2025.

He added that current works are focused on completing passenger stations and supporting buildings, as well as installing signalling, electrification and communications systems.

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