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MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd (MyHSR) of Malaysia and Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore have awarded the Joint Development Partner (JDP) contract for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project to the consortium comprising WSP Engineering Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mott MacDonald Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd.

The JDP will provide project management support and technical advice on HSR systems and operations. The JDP will also develop the technical and safety standards to be adopted for the project. In addition, it will assist the Joint Project Team (JPT) established between MyHSR and LTA with the preparation of documents for the forthcoming tenders relating to the joint aspects of the project, such as the appointment of the AssetsCo and OpCo International.

The projects aims to facilitate a 90-minute travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The project is expected to enhance business linkages and bring the people of both countries closer together. The Governments of both countries signed a Bilateral Agreement in December 2016 which captured the key points of agreement on the project.

Both Governments agreed that the HSR will have eight stations – the termini in Bandar Malaysia and Singapore, and six intermediate stations in Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

The railway will be about 375 km with all the stations designed to integrate with the local public transport systems to ensure seamless connectivity. The trains will run at a top speed of more than 300km/h. The total project investment is estimated at MYR43 billion (US$10.6 billion).

As part of the next phase in project preparation, the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore have tasked MyHSR and the LTA, Singapore respectively to implement the project.

Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal, CEO of MyHSR said:

“Following the commitment of the two Governments through the Bilateral Agreement signing, the JDP appointment marks the start of a challenging yet exciting journey to bring the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project to reality.

The consortium of WSP Engineering, Mott MacDonald and Ernst & Young Advisory Services will join the project teams of MyHSR and LTA in further developing the project. The teams will need to work closely to ensure that the project is delivered successfully. Further announcements will be made in due course, for other appointments of the project.”

Said LTA Chief Executive, Mr Ngien Hoon Ping:

“LTA is excited to have the consortium onboard as our JDP. With the collective expertise and extensive experience of the consortium in HSR projects internationally, MyHSR and LTA will be able to kick-start the preparation of upcoming joint tenders for this strategic project.

Together with the Advanced Engineering Study contract awarded earlier by LTA to carry out engineering studies for the Singapore stretch of the HSR, these two developments mark the next chapter in our journey to deliver the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project targeted by end-2026.”