The Gombak–Kota Bharu line is expected to begin operations in January 2027, while an extension linking Gombak to Port Klang is scheduled for completion by December 2027.
Meanwhile, Indonesia is planning to extend its high-speed rail line, Whoosh, to connect Jakarta and Surabaya in East Java by 2033. The 800km journey, which currently takes at least 11 hours by car, could be reduced to about three and a half hours by the high-speed train.
For now, Whoosh operates a 142km line between Jakarta and Bandung in West Java.
In the meantime, travellers in Malaysia have alternative options such as budget domestic flights and the electric train service (ETS) operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM).
However, these options remain out of reach for some.
For Nik Kamal and his family of five, a return domestic flight between Johor Bahru and Kota Bharu would cost around RM6,000 (US$1,530), while return ETS tickets would total about RM800. By comparison, driving would cost roughly RM150, including petrol and tolls.
“The ticket prices for flights and trains are just too expensive, so that’s not really an option for us. There are five of us in the family. If it was just one or two people, it might still be manageable,” he said.
In Indonesia, public transport is not always a practical option. For civil engineer Bayu, whose leave schedule is often confirmed at the last minute, booking tickets in advance has been a challenge.
“For someone like me … it can be quite difficult to rely on public transport,” he said.
