Malaysia, October 2026 – Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) is preparing to open ticket sales for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in mid-November 2026, ahead of the planned commencement of passenger services on 12 December. The 523-kilometre first phase will connect Gombak in Selangor with Kota Bharu in Kelantan, passing through Pahang and Terengganu.
The proposed one-way economy fares for the Gombak–Kota Bharu route start at RM125 for Transit services and RM147 for Express services. A dynamic pricing mechanism will determine actual fares based on departure times, passenger demand and seat availability. Transit trains will stop at all scheduled stations, while Express services will operate between four main stations: Gombak, KotaSAS, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu. Starting fares for Gombak–Kuala Terengganu are RM95 and RM110 respectively, while Gombak–KotaSAS fares start at RM60 and RM68.
The government has also approved concessionary fares, including 50% discounts for children aged two to 12, Malaysian senior citizens aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities holding valid identification cards and government pensioners. Students aged 13 to 24 will receive a 40% discount. Additionally, a separate 30% promotional discount on economy fares will be offered to other passengers during the first month of operations, supporting initial passenger adoption.
The ECRL project had achieved 98.16% completion as of October 2026, according to MRL. Site acceptance tests and system integration tests have been completed, while train testing has covered more than 50,000 kilometres since commencing on 25 August. Fault-free running tests are scheduled to be followed by trial operations throughout November, subject to safety requirements and regulatory approvals ahead of the commercial launch.
The introduction of ECRL passenger services represents an important expansion of Malaysia's intercity rail connectivity, particularly for communities and economic centres along the east coast. By combining passenger and freight operations, the railway is expected to support regional mobility, logistics efficiency and economic development, while establishing a stronger connection between the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Source: The Malaysian Reserve
ECRL Ticket Sales Set For Mid-November Ahead Of December Launch
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Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is approaching its transition from construction to commercial passenger operations, marking a significant development in the country's national rail network. Ticket sales are expected to begin in mid-November 2026, ahead of the targeted December launch, allowing passengers to plan journeys between the Klang Valley and Malaysia's east coast.
