KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) said rail operators from Asean countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar have agreed to integrate their ticketing systems.

KTMB chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin said it was discussed during the 44th Asean Railway CEOs' (ARCEOs) meeting, which focused on the theme "Driving Sustainability with Digital Innovation."

"I have just returned from discussions with Asean rail operators from countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines.

"They have agreed to implement ticket integration even though we do not share borders. For example, we share a border with Thailand, so the next step is to integrate our stations.

"However, with countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar, we can integrate our ticketing systems even without crossing borders," he told reporters after the launch of KTMB-Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd's (ERL) ticket integration today.

Mohd Rani was responding to a question on whether KTMB will explore further collaboration with other modes of transportation or with other countries to boost ridership.

He explained that a passenger could buy a single ticket if they take a train in Indonesia and then continue their journey to Malaysia on the electric train services (ETS).  

Mohd Rani said KTMB's information technology team has been in talks with the IT team from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to establish an integrated system by next year.

"Currently, we have a train service to Hatyai but sometimes when the train returns, there are empty seats, and we are unable to sell tickets.

"We need SRT to sell our tickets. Hopefully, with an integrated system, they can help sell tickets for us," he said. 

He confirmed reports that KTMB and SRT are set to collaborate on launching a train service from Butterworth to Bangkok next year.

"At the same time, we will introduce a coach-sharing system. This means the train will be operated by KTMB, but at the same time, it can also be operated by SRT.

"We will work together with SRT on coach-sharing and selling tickets for bookings from both countries, which will encourage tourism."

The potential initiative will help increase the number of tourists from Thailand to Malaysia.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Haji Hasbi Habibollah said train operators will explore initiatives like integrating with other countries or expanding by adding more stations and modes of transportation. 

"We also want to do what other countries are doing. This has already been done, and it's not rocket science but something that can be done.

"We still have a little over a year before Visit Malaysia Year. Within this time, perhaps we can improve the system further to integrate it better," he said.

KTMB and ERL are integrating their ticketing syatem to encourage the public to use rail services as public transportation.

KTMB is offering a RM5 discount on KLIA Express tickets from today to Sept 19, to promote the use of its integrated ticketing service.

Passengers using both ERL and KTMB services can buy tickets for both train lines in a single transaction.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/09/1105235/asean-rail-operators-agree-integrate-ticketing-systems-boost