Malaysia, October 2026 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is entering the final stages of preparation as Malaysia develops a new rail connection between the East Coast and Klang Valley. The 665-kilometre electrified network will connect Kota Bharu in Kelantan with Port Klang in Selangor through Terengganu, Pahang and the Greater Klang Valley.
The project is being delivered in two phases, with Kota Bharu–Gombak forming the first section and Gombak–Port Klang scheduled to follow. Passenger trains will operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h, with the first phase expected to reduce the Kota Bharu–Gombak journey from around seven hours by road to approximately four hours. The network will eventually comprise 20 stations, including facilities serving both passengers and freight.
Testing and commissioning are progressing across the railway's infrastructure and systems. More than 40 Comprehensive Inspection Train runs and 12 freight train tests had been completed by September 18, with testing reaching speeds of up to 176 km/h. Site Acceptance Testing has been completed, while System Integration Testing was approximately 80 per cent complete, followed by further signalling, Automatic Train Protection and Fault-Free Run testing.
Passenger operations could begin during the mid-December school holidays, although the earlier opening remains dependent on satisfactory testing and commissioning and the completion of required safety procedures. The passenger fleet will consist of 11 six-car Electric Multiple Unit trainsets supplied by CRRC Dalian, with each train capable of carrying up to 425 passengers.
The ECRL will also operate freight services, with electric locomotives capable of hauling up to 45 wagons and a maximum load of 3,500 tonnes per trip. With Phase Two planned to extend the railway to Port Klang and operations targeted for January 2028, the project is positioned as both a passenger mobility link and a strategic freight corridor connecting Malaysia’s East and West coasts.
Source: Malay Mail
ECRL Nears December Launch As Testing Enters Final Stages
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Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link is approaching a major operational milestone as testing and commissioning progress across the 665-kilometre electrified network. The first phase between Kota Bharu and Gombak could begin passenger services as early as mid-December 2026, ahead of its original January 2027 target.
