KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry is looking to upgrade existing rail infrastructure as part of efforts to strengthen the road-to-rail modal shift initiative.
The initiatives were presented during the second National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) meeting in Putrajaya today, where plans were discussed to introduce new rail infrastructure upgrades under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
These include extending the siding tracks at the North Butterworth Container Terminal, as well as upgrading the Pasir Mas–Rantau Panjang track and the Padang Besar Depot.
“Currently, our railway infrastructure is only being used at 1 per cent to move these cargo.
“We are aiming to increase it to 10 per cent,” Loke said.
The road-to-rail modal shift initiative also aims to ease congestion on major highways, reduce road accidents involving heavy vehicles, and contribute to the national environmental sustainability agenda.
Loke added that the ministry is also looking to improve first- and last-mile connectivity to ensure a seamless freight transport process.
This includes increasing the number of locomotives and wagons through a leasing model, developing new cargo hub terminals, and constructing spur line connections in strategic areas.
“This will be our direction moving forward, to provide more accessibility to transport materials using trains.
“Especially when it comes to transporting materials such as minerals, bricks, charcoal and more.
“We also want to reduce the number of heavy trucks on the road,” Loke said.
Previously, it was reported that the Pasir Mas–Rantau Panjang railway line upgrade is expected to begin next year.
The RM264 million project has been approved under Rolling Plan 1 of the 13MP and will be implemented by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC).