Kota kinabalu: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Datuk Ewon Benedick announced that the railway stops are located at Lok Kawi, Tombovo, Meruntum, Bukit Vor, Petagas, and Petagas Memorial. He stated that there are plans to develop several more stops to provide the public with more options and convenience, reducing reliance solely on main stations for rail services.

Ewon highlighted that these new facilities would allow residents living near the railway line to access stops closer to their homes, facilitating easier travel to the city center. The railway stops are intended to offer an alternative mode of public transport, especially as the cost of using private vehicles, including fuel expenses, continues to challenge commuters.

Moreover, Ewon mentioned that the state government is currently 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. He expressed hope that once the study is completed and presented, the ministry or the state government could determine the next steps.

Ewon emphasized that future railway network expansions should be considered not only for passenger transport but also for their potential to support the development of Sabah's industrial and logistics sectors. He assured that his ministry would continue to focus on strengthening Sabah's public transport system, as it is directly linked to economic development, urban growth, business activities, and the people's well-being.