KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) offers a competitive alternative to express buses and flights for time-conscious travellers, although families may find the combined ticket costs less attractive, transport experts said.
Universiti Malaya Centre for Transportation Research head Associate Professor Ir Ts Dr Yuen Choon Wah said the fares were attractive for students and solo travellers, with the journey from Gombak to Kota Baru expected to take about five hours compared with more than eight hours by bus.
"Even with train fares of RM125 compared with bus fares of RM50-plus, I still think it is worth the money," he said, adding that the service could encourage more travellers to switch to rail.
However, Yuen expressed doubts about whether the ECRL could attract families and larger groups, as the combined cost of several tickets could make other transport options more economical.
"I still doubt that ECRL could attract group travellers, including families, to switch their mode of transport," he said.
ECRL fares from Gombak to KotaSAS start at RM60 for Transit and RM68 for Express services, while fares to Kuala Terengganu start at RM95 and RM110 respectively, and those to Kota Baru at RM125 and RM147.
In comparison, standard express bus fares from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru range from RM34 to RM65, while premium services and peak-period tickets can cost up to RM105.
One-way flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Baru can range from RM89 to RM350 or more, depending on the airline, booking time and demand.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation associate professor Prof Madya Dr Mohd Syuhaidi Abu Bakar said the ECRL fares were reasonable and competitive when journey time, comfort and convenience were considered.
"Some people may initially think the fares are expensive, but we have to consider the time saved, comfort and convenience," he said.
Syuhaidi said road journeys to Kelantan could take many hours, particularly as the Kuala Lipis-Merapoh-Gua Musang corridor does not yet have a fully completed, continuous expressway-standard route.
He said the ECRL could provide an alternative for travellers seeking a more convenient journey, although affordability would remain an important consideration when choosing between transport modes.
Malaysia Institute of Transport (MITRANS) director Prof Madya Ts Dr Mohd Fathi Abu Yaziz @ Mohamad said the ECRL should not be assessed solely on ticket prices, but also on the reliability, comfort and time savings it offered.
"The service could bridge the gap between air travel and road transport by providing a faster alternative to buses without the airport procedures associated with flying", he said.
However, Fathi cautioned that dynamic pricing could affect affordability for lower-income passengers if fares were driven solely by market demand.
He suggested a hybrid pricing model, with measures such as regulated fare caps or concessions, to balance revenue considerations with the need to keep rail travel accessible.
Fathi also highlighted the importance of last-mile connectivity, saying the cost and difficulty of reaching Gombak station could reduce the overall value of the journey.
"Efficient bus and shuttle services, alongside affordable connections to and from stations, would be essential to making the ECRL a more attractive option", he said.
The ECRL's competitiveness will ultimately depend on a combination of ticket prices, journey times and connections to passengers' final destinations, particularly for families weighing the cost of rail travel against buses and private vehicles.
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