Six New Railway Stops On Sembulan-Kinarut Route To Begin Operations In October

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Six new railway stops along the Sembulan-Kinarut station route, which were completed earlier this year, are expected to begin operations in October, further expanding public access to rail services in Sabah. 

In a statement today, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Datuk Ewon Benedick said the railway stops are located at Lok Kawi, Tombovo, Meruntum, Bukit Vor, Petagas and Petagas Memorial. 

“So far, six railway stops have been completed, and several more are being considered for development. 

“This will give the public more options and convenience, as they will no longer have to rely entirely on the main stations to use rail services,” he said. 

He said the new facilities would enable residents living near the railway line to use stops closer to their homes before continuing their journey to the city centre. 

Ewon said the railway stops would also provide an alternative mode of public transport, particularly as the cost of using private vehicles, including fuel expenses, remains a challenge for commuters. 

Meanwhile, he said the state government is awaiting the findings of a study on a proposal to extend the railway service from Putatan to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), including the Sepanggar Port area. 

“I would like to see the findings of the study on extending the railway service from Putatan to KKIP, including the Sepanggar Port, which I believe is currently being carried out. 

“Hopefully, once the study is completed and presented to the ministry or the state government, we can determine the next course of action,” he said. 

He added that future railway network expansion should not only be viewed from the perspective of passenger transport, but also for its potential to support the development of Sabah’s industrial and logistics sectors. 

Ewon said his ministry would continue to focus on strengthening Sabah’s public transport system as the sector is directly linked to economic development, urban growth, business activities and the people’s well-being.

-- BERNAMA