Kuala Lumpur: The Transport Ministry (MOT) will introduce a policy aimed at encouraging cargo and transport companies to utilise the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) service as an alternative to heavy vehicles on roads. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced this initiative, highlighting that the policy would include incentives for industry players to promote the shift to ECRL services once the rail project is completed.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Loke stated that the use of ECRL is seen as an effective solution to reduce the number of heavy vehicles on roads, which could help ease traffic congestion and minimise accident risks. “We see this as a viable alternative, especially for routes involving heavy vehicles to the East Coast. This policy will be introduced when the ECRL becomes operational,” he said during a session in the Dewan Rakyat.

Loke was responding to a question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) regarding whether the ministry plans to implement new policies or laws to manage the rising number of heavy vehicles during peak hours and reduce accident risks. On February 4, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan reported that the ECRL project’s overall progress, spanning Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Selangor, had reached 78.5 percent as of January. The ECRL service is expected to commence operations in early 2027.

In response to Khairil’s original question about the investigation into a fatal accident that claimed seven lives at Kilometre (KM) 204 of the North-South Expressway near Ayer Keroh on December 23, Loke reported that the vehicle permit of Yinson Transport (M) Sdn Bhd, whose lorry tyre detached during the incident, was revoked effective February 11 due to repeated speeding violations.

Additionally, V Travel Sdn Bhd’s vehicle licences were suspended from February 18 to March 19 for failing to comply with the Land Public Transport Agency’s (APAD) Industrial Code of Practice (ICOP) – Safety requirements. S and C Maju Enterprise’s operator licence was suspended for 30 days for failing to meet ICOP Safety standards, and its vehicle permit was revoked due to speeding violations. These decisions were made by the Licence Cancellation and Suspension Committee (JPPL).

Loke further revealed that the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) Inspection and Safety Audit (JISA) found two out of three commercial vehicles involved in the accident, belonging to V Travel Sdn Bhd and S and C Maju Enterprise, had failed the inspection.