KUALA LUMPUR: The government and Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) are currently discussing the ERL extension track linking the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the new Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
UNDER DISCUSSION: Ong appearing on Bernama TV’s Hello Malaysia programme at Wisma Bernama Wednesday night. — Bernama photo
He said a number of problem areas identified by the ERL operator had been brought to the attention of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) task force responsible for urban public transportation for deliberation.
“We want to upgrade public transportation service, particularly in two areas here, namely the railway service and air rail link,” he told a press conference after visiting the ERL Sdn Bhd office and ERL depot in Salak Tinggi yesterday.
Ong said various aspects including the financial implications, overall operation and technicalities, needed to be studied before carrying out the ERL extension project.
Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will begin construction of the new RM2 billion LCCT in the middle of the year and it is expected to be ready in 2011.
It will be built on a 150,000 sq metre site, about 1.5km away from the KLIA main terminal.
Ong said he was proud of ERL Sdn Bhd for maintaining its punctuality record in its rail service at 99.7 per cent since it began operating six years ago.
“We want to make sure that this kind of culture will be emulated by others, not only in rail service but also in other public transportation services.”
Meanwhile, he urged airlines not to dispute over the flight paths and to leave the matter to the government.
“I think this kind of dispute should be avoided. What should be our main target is improving the quality of our services, and to me the biggest challenge in providing public air service is on-time performance.
“Airlines should stay focused on enhancing their level of on-time performance … the quality of service. If we can do that, we go a step higher in service excellence,” he said. — Bernama