Indonesia targets 14,000 km rail expansion outside Java, Nusantara Explorer luxury sleeper train built for hire, Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway, ECRL fares expected to be announced this month, construction of Subic-Batangas railway eyed for 2027, Thailand approves three southern double-track railways, VinSpeed and Siemens Mobility high-speed railway contract.
News
• 1,200 miles by train, from Singapore to Bangkok (archive) [NY Times Travel]
“A writer takes a weeklong journey, from the island city-state to the Thai capital, in the final days of a historic rail connection.”
🇰🇭 Cambodia
• Cambodia, Laos discuss expanding transport connectivity [Khmer Times]
“The two sides also discussed establishing a railway connection to strengthen transportation links between the neighbouring countries.”
• Cambodia and Japan partner to prioritize railway network rehabilitation and urban rail systems [Construction & Property]
🇮🇩 Indonesia
• Govt targets 14,000 km rail expansion outside Java through 2045 [Antara News]
• Indonesia eyes China for massive 2,772km railway project – with caution (archive) [SCMP]
“As Jakarta explores foreign backing for the Trans-Kalimantan railway, analysts say costly past ventures could shape any coming negotiations.”
• Indonesia drafts decree to transfer Whoosh shares to Finance Ministry [Antara News]
“The Indonesian government is finalizing a presidential regulation to transfer shares of PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (PSBI) — the local consortium behind the Jakarta–Bandung High-Speed Train, known as Whoosh — to the Ministry of Finance.”
• Malaysians buy 1,150 Whoosh high-speed rail tickets a day [Jakarta Globe]
• Whoosh says it’s profitable. The numbers tell another story [Tempo]
• Kalimantan railway: After Whoosh, Indonesia can’t afford another rush job [Lowy Institute]
• Signal faults and communication problems caused Indonesia’s deadly train collision, investigators say [Reuters]
• Gojek & Kereta Api Indonesia sign MoU to improve transport integration [The Jakarta Post]
“As train stations increasingly serve as hubs connecting various parts of commuters’ journeys, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and Gojek have collaborated to support the reorganization of station areas while fostering better intermodal mobility integration aiming to provide an easier and more mobile experience for daily commuters.”
• Jakarta–Surabaya by rail: Why the train ride is half the fun [The Jakarta Post]
“With private recliner cabins, personalised service, and panoramic views of countryside villages, staying grounded proves that the journey can be just as rewarding as the destination.”
• Nusantara Explorer, a luxury sleeper train built for hire [Business Traveller]
“Sleeper cabins, a restaurant car and a lounge are rolling onto Indonesian rails – but the whole train comes as one booking.”
• Ambarawa Railway Museum: Preserving Indonesia’s 19th-century railway heritage [Seasia.co]
🇱🇦 Laos
• Laos, Vietnamese governments push for progress in infrastructure development [Vientiane Times]
“The Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway will link Vientiane with the Vung Ang seaport in Ha Tinh province in central Vietnam, giving Laos a direct rail link to a maritime trade route.
The railway is expected to cost about US$6.6 billion. The Lao section will stretch for 452 kilometres from Vientiane through Thakhaek district in Khammuan province to the Vietnamese border, while the Vietnamese section will cover a distance of about 119 kilometres.
Construction of the Lao section is scheduled to begin this year, with Vietnam planning to start work on its section in 2027. The railway is expected to be completed and operational by 2030.”
• China-Laos Railway launches new service for convenient northern travel [Xinhua]
“Train C95 departs from Boten Station at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at Vientiane Station at 11:47 a.m., while train C96 leaves Vientiane Station at 2:05 p.m. and arrives back at Boten Station at 6:32 p.m.”
🇲🇾 Malaysia
• ECRL fares expected to be announced this month, ticket sales in November [Malay Mail]
• Malaysia, China agree on proposed ECRL extension to Rantau Panjang, says Anwar [Malay Mail]
“Malaysia and China have agreed to extend the East Coast Rail Link from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, enhancing economic activity and enabling a direct link to Thailand.”
• Planning a weekend trip? KTMB just added 63,000 seats to the KL-Johor ETS route [Malay Mail]
“Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) is providing four additional ETS services for the KL Sentral-JB Sentral-KL Sentral route every weekend until Dec 27 to meet growing passenger demand for the southern sector.”
• Kuala Lumpur Railway Station becomes venue for unconventional run [The Sun]
“Runners traded open roads for the historic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station during the inaugural Saucony The Maze relay race.”
🇲🇲 Myanmar
• Toungoo bypass railway set for completion in Mar 2027 [Myanmar Digital News]
“A 4.89-mile bypass railway is under construction at present, with earth embankment work underway and 16 bridges being built along the route.”
🇵🇭 Philippines
• Construction of Subic-Batangas railway eyed for 2027 [Inquirer]
DOTr eyes extending Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas railway to Bataan [Manila Bulleten]
• New Clark rail extension draws investor interest [Daily Tribune]
“The planned extension of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) to New Clark City is drawing early interest from local and international companies as the government advances technical preparations for the 18.1-kilometer project.”
• Japan open to discuss funding Mindanao Railway Project if… [SunStar]
“Japanese Consul General in Davao reveals Japan ready to study funding support for Mindanao’s major infrastructure project if national government asks for it.”
• Marcos explores Indian cooperation on rail projects, satellite technology [Manila Bulletin]
• Rizal took a train to the province. We can’t. [Daily Tribune]
“Could it really be possible that Filipinos had better transportation more than 130 years ago? Jose Rizal did something many of us cannot do today: leave Manila, enter a railway station and take a train north to Central Luzon.”
🇸🇬 Singapore
• Thai teen, 16, takes grandfather on 2,000km train journey to fulfil his dream of visiting S’pore for 1st time [Mothership]
🇹🇭 Thailand
• Thailand approves three southern double-track lines to support trade [The Nation]
“Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the construction of three southern double-track railway lines: Chumphon–Surat Thani, Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction, and Hat Yai Junction–Padang Besar.”
• Thailand launches Laem Chabang-Nong Khai freight rail trial to slash logistics costs and power ASEAN hub ambitions – [19/09/26]
🇻🇳 Vietnam
“VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (a member of Vingroup) and Siemens Mobility GmbH have announced the signing of a turnkey contract for the Hanoi–Quang Ninh and Ben Thanh–Can Gio high-speed rail lines.”
• North–South high-speed railway targets December 2027 groundbreaking [VnEconomy]
“Spanning a total length of 1,541 km, connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City across 15 localities, the project is set to be implemented in the 2025-2035 period, with a preliminary total investment is estimated at $65.3 billion.”
• Vietnam, Germany explore cooperation in high-speed railway technology transfer [VietnamPlus]
“Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Xuan Dung has had a working session with German authorities and businesses to seek cooperation and explore technology transfer for the North-South high-speed railway project.”
• Hanoi-Lao Cai railway adds third daily passenger train pair [DTI News]
• Tourists can explore northern Vietnam heritage by train for just $7.7 [Tuoi Tre News]
“The ‘Journey to the Land of Tea’ train service is a new tourism product being piloted as part of the 2026 Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival, which is set to take place from October 30 to November 7.”
• Premium tourist train links Hanoi with Ninh Binh heritage sites [DTI News]
“A luxury tourist train connecting Hanoi and Ninh Binh Province was showcased on September 28, as part of plans for a regular rail service linking the capital with the province’s heritage sites.”
• Historic steam trains tested on Hue-Da Nang route through Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass [Tuoi Tre News]
“Two historic steam locomotives dating back to the 1960s have completed a technical trial run on the railway linking Hue and Da Nang through Hai Van Pass, as Vietnam Railways assesses their safety and potential return to service.”
• First train runs through VND 2 trillion Khe Net railway tunnel [DTI News]
“The first freight train has passed safely through the VND 2 trillion (USD 76.34 million) Khe Net railway tunnel in Quang Tri Province, cutting travel time through the mountain pass by half.”
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