Much to learn about different train systems for Singapore-KL High Speed Rail: Lui

CAZAUX — There is still much to learn about the different train systems that can be used for the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high speed rail, said Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew to Singapore media on the sidelines of President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s visit to the Cazaux Air Base yesterday (May 21).

Singapore and Malaysia need to discuss deeper the regulatory, structural and operational issues, he added.

Mr Lui, who is also the Second Minister for Defence, is part of a Singapore delegation accompanying Dr Tan for his week-long State Visit in France.

Earlier in the week, French President Francois Hollande said there are opportunities for both countries to collaborate, such as in developing the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high speed rail. Mr Lui also experienced first-hand France’s high-speed trains when he travelled to Bordeaux with President Tan on Wednesday.

He said neither Singapore nor Malaysia is at the stage of selecting which train system or company to go with, and the process has to be systematic.

“Before we decide on the eventual system, we have to jointly decide it. We have to jointly decide on the selection of tenderers, the system itself. But I think that will come much later, because there are many structural issues that we have to decide on first,” said Mr Lui. “It’s actually quite a complicated project, with many different permutations and many different possibilities. So we have to step through this systematically with the Malaysians, get an agreement before we can even put out a tender into the market.”

Another possible area for collaboration was in urban mobility. Mr Hollande spoke about expanding Paris’ electric car-sharing service, Autolib, to Singapore.

Last year, the Economic Development Board and the Land Transport Authority sought submissions of proposals for an electric car-sharing model in Singapore. Mr Lui said a number of companies have responded, including the Bollore Group, which operates Autolib.

“When I was in Paris, I had a short meeting with a few of their people, just to update each other on how it’s progressing. I think it offers good possibilities, but EDB and LTA will have to evaluate on proposals they have received and hopefully sometime around the end of the year, we will be ready to see whether we can take another step forward,” Mr Lui said.