KUALA LUMPUR — Testing and commissioning of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is progressing smoothly, with a series of system tests and technical inspections being carried out to ensure the railway network is safe, reliable and ready for passenger services.
The Comprehensive Inspection Train (C.I.T.), a high-tech inspection train equipped with advanced monitoring systems, has been conducting inspections and tests along the Phase 1 alignment between Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and Gombak, Selangor, since Aug 25.
During this period, the C.I.T. has made several return trips to record track geometry parameters, inspect railway signalling systems and assess the performance of the electrical supply through the Overhead Catenary System (O.C.S.).
The inspections are aimed at ensuring that all major ECRL components and systems meet the required technical specifications and are capable of supporting safe and efficient operations.
Today, the C.I.T. carried local and international media representatives on a journey from the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal to Kuantan Port City, completing the trip in 1 hour 30 minutes. The return journey took the same amount of time.
The journey also passed through the 16.39km Genting ECRL Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in Southeast Asia, giving media representatives an opportunity to experience the readiness of the alignment as well as the facilities and systems developed to support ECRL operations.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the progress made during the testing and commissioning phase was an important step towards achieving the required level of operational readiness.
“We are satisfied with the progress of the ECRL testing and commissioning phase so far. Each test is being carried out systematically and comprehensively to ensure that all ECRL systems, components and infrastructure meet the safety and technical requirements before services to the public begin,” he said in a statement.
He said safety remained the project’s priority, with MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) working with all stakeholders to complete each stage of testing and technical verification thoroughly.
“Safety is always the priority of the ECRL Project. Therefore, MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) will continue to work closely with all stakeholders and ensure that every stage of testing and technical verification is completed thoroughly. What is being carried out today is part of the effort to ensure that ECRL is truly ready to operate safely, efficiently and reliably,” he said.
The ECRL project has also begun System Integration Testing (S.I.T.), comprising a series of tests across the network from Kota Bharu to Gombak using an electric locomotive (E-Loco), Electric Multiple Unit (E.M.U.) trains and the C.I.T., which is equipped with various sensors and diagnostic systems.
The tests are designed to assess the performance and integration of the railway’s systems as a whole.
A speed step-up test involving the E-Loco and C.I.T. between Kota Bharu and Gombak has been completed, along with testing of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, a railway safety system that monitors train speeds and compliance with signalling.
More than 70% of the overall testing programme has been completed by the National Engineering Research Center of System Technology for High-Speed Railway and Urban Rail Transit, the institute appointed to conduct tests and verify that construction of the ECRL network complies with the required safety and technical standards.
Further signalling tests are being conducted in stages from Kota Bharu towards Gombak.
The tests are being carried out station by station to ensure the functionality, reliability and integration of the signalling systems across the network.
The signalling system testing programme is expected to be completed in October, paving the way for the Fault Free Run (FFR) and trial operations.
Overall construction of the ECRL project had reached 95.41% as of August, in line with the targeted completion of Phase 1 between Kota Bharu and Gombak by the end of this year.
Phase 2, connecting Gombak to Port Klang, is scheduled for completion by December 2027.
MRL, a wholly owned company of the Minister of Finance (Incorporated) [MOF (Inc.)], is the owner of the ECRL project and its assets, while CCCC is the project’s main contractor.
The 665km ECRL network will run through the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang before connecting to Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Once operational, the ECRL is expected to cut travel time between Kota Bharu and Gombak to about four hours, compared with around seven hours by road. – September 18, 2026