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Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), which expects to achieve freight revenue
of RM130mil this year, forecasts a revenue to increase five-fold by 2012,
when all of its double-tracking projects are completed.
Currently only the Rawang-Rasa double tracking project has been completed
and it is expected to contribute RM2.5mil to RM3mil to KTMB's top line this
year.
The Rawang-Ipoh and Tanjung Malim-Ipoh tracks will be ready for use by
year-end.
By the middle of next year, commuter services will be extended up to Tanjung
Malim.
Also, KTMB will provide express train service from Ipoh to KL Sentral.
The much-anticipated Ipoh-Padang Besar double track will start construction
as soon as it is officially approved by the Government.
The construction of the massive double tracking project spanning 338km will
take five years. The project is vital for the development of KTMB's freight
unit as 80% of the volume comes from the northern part of the peninsula.
Its freight unit contributed 38.8% to the group's total revenue last year.
The group expects its overall revenue to reach RM302mil this year.
KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said the Ipoh-Padang Besar
double tracking project would enhance its land bridge operation from Bangkok
to Port Klang, cement cargo transportation to and from Kinta, the
performance of the inland container depot in Ipoh, and the cargo flow from
southern Thailand to Penang.
Last year its freight unit handled about 1.4 billion tonnes of goods or 4.4
million tonnes per km.
“Once we complete the Ipoh-Padang Besar tracking, which means the trains can
be electrically powered, we will consider rendering a rapid train service.
'The extra intercity coaches can be used to improve our operations in the
east coast,” he said.
Come 2012, the company is also looking forward to re-brand its intercity and
freight services.
“For freight, we prefer to move things by big bulk that occupies our 30
wagons per trip,” he said.
This is a win-win situation for KTMB as well as the customers as the train
would be fully utilised and the cost is 30% cheaper than using road
transportation.
There is also 22% savings in fuel cost compared to road transport when
carrying the same volume of cargo.
Despite the bright prospects, the company has recorded net losses since the
escalation of oil diesel price four years ago that increased their
operational cost. It could not increase its rates due to the
Government-controlled tariff structure.
“We really need to review the current tariff because it is too low.
“It would be wise if we can determine our own fee structure to compete with
the maritime, aviation and commercial road transportation sectors,” he said.
The price of diesel rose from 78 sen in 2003 to the current RM1.80 per litre.
“We are very thankful for the Government's fuel subsidy, but it is not
enough.
“For example, the cement rail transportation tariff has not changed since
1992,” he said.
Thus, Mohd Salleh said, KTMB had to reduce its operation costs such as by
proper driving techniques, just-in-time operation and prioritising on bulk
freight.
KTMB does not dismiss the possibility of completely using electric trains in
its operations in order to be less dependent on diesel.
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