View source for Express Rail Link

{{Short description|Transport company in Malaysia}}
{{For|the trans-border railway in China and Hong Kong|Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Express Rail Link
| image = ERL logo.png
| imagesize = 50px
| image2 = KLIAekspres SalakSelatan.jpg
| imagesize2 = 300px
| caption2 = A [[Siemens Desiro]] at [[Salak Selatan]]
| native_name = 
| owner = Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd
| locale = [[Klang Valley]], [[Malaysia]]
| transit_type = [[Airport rail link]]
| lines = {{rint|my|6}} {{rint|my|7}}
| stations = 6
| ridership = 23,350 (Q4 2024)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/en/Statistik%20Rel/2024%204%20-%20SUKU%20IV%202024/JADUAL%202.8%20BILANGAN%20PENUMPANG%20BAGI%20PERKHIDMATAN%20PENGANGKUTAN%20REL,%20Q4%202024.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Transport, Malaysia|language=ms, en|title=Number of Passengers for Rail Transport Services, Fourth Quarter, 2024|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
| annual_ridership = 8.032 million (2024)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/en/Statistik%20Rel/2024%204%20-%20SUKU%20IV%202024/JADUAL%202.8%20BILANGAN%20PENUMPANG%20BAGI%20PERKHIDMATAN%20PENGANGKUTAN%20REL,%20Q4%202024.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Transport, Malaysia|language=ms, en|title=Number of Passengers for Rail Transport Services, Fourth Quarter, 2024|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|kliaekspres.com}}
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|2002|4|14|df=yes}}
| operator = 
| character = 
| vehicles = {{plainlist|
* 12 × 4-car [[Siemens Desiro]] ET 425 M Electric Multiple Unit
* 6 × 4-car [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|CRRC Changchun]] Equator Electric Multiple Unit
}}
| train_length = 
| headway = 
| system_length = {{convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}} ('''total''')
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| notrack = 
| el = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[overhead line|overhead catenary]]
| average_speed = 145 km/h (90 mph)
| map = 
| map_state = 
}}

The '''Express Rail Link [[Sdn Bhd]]''' is a company that owns and operates the [[airport rail link]] of the same name that connects the [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] (KLIA) with the [[Kuala Lumpur Sentral]] (KL Sentral) transportation hub, 57 kilometres apart. The company operates two different train services:

*[[KLIA Ekspres]], a direct airport rail service directly from KLIA to KL Sentral, launched on 14 April 2002.
*[[KLIA Transit]], a commuter rail service with three additional stops between KLIA and KL Sentral, launched on 20 June 2002.

== Background ==
[[File:Bandar Tasik Selatan station (KLIA Transit), Klang Valley.jpg|thumb|KLIA Ekspres trainset passing Bandar Tasik Selatan station.]]
Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (ERL) is a joint venture company between [[YTL Corporation]] Berhad, [[Tabung Haji|Lembaga Tabung Haji]], SIPP Rail Sdn. Bhd. (a company linked to [[Ibrahim Ismail of Johor|Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=SIPP takes 10% stake in ERL ahead of HSR project |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/sipp-takes-10-stake-erl-ahead-hsr-project |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Edge Malaysia}}</ref>) and Trisilco Equity Sdn. Bhd. with each partner holding 45%, 36%, 10% and 9% of the company respectively. On 25 August 1997, the Malaysian government presented the company with a 30-year concession to finance, build, maintain and control the operations of the railway.

Construction began in May 1997 and was completed 5 years later. It was then handed over to SYZ consortium, a joint relations consortium between German and Malaysian companies consisting of [[Siemens Mobility|Siemens]], Siemens Electric Engineering Sdn. Bhd and Syarikat Pembenaan Yeoh Tiong Lay Sdn. Bhd (SPYTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of YTL Corporation Bhd.

ERL Maintenance and Support was set up in 1999 and is responsible for the operations and maintenance of trains owned by ERL. The company was initially a joint venture between Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. and Siemens, but since June 2005 it has been wholly owned by Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd.<ref>[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//developing-local-capabilities-in-malaysia.html Developing local capabilities in Malaysia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414204246/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/developing-local-capabilities-in-malaysia.html |date=2016-04-14 }} ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' April 2006</ref>

The [[1997 Asian financial crisis|1997 financial crisis]] that hit Asia caused a brief setback to the project but due to strong governmental support, the project went on to completion. The project racked up a cost of RM2.4 billion which was financed through equity mergers (RM500 million), loans from Development and Infrastructure Bank of Malaysia (RM940 million) and the remainder through import credit<ref name="icdt">{{Cite web |title=Import Credit Definition from The Free Dictionary |url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/import+credit}}</ref> from four German financial institutions.

In January 2024, the concession for Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. to operate the [[KLIA Ekspres]] and [[KLIA Transit]], which was originally to expire in 2017, was extended for a further 30 years (to 2059), after seven years of negotiations. The revised concession includes the introduction of “market-based”/variable fare pricing (ticket prices are currently fixed) and a profit-sharing mechanism with the [[Government of Malaysia|government]] (30% of any additional profit if the rate of return exceeds 10%). However, ERL will no longer receive a share of the Passenger Service Charge paid by all passengers departing from [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Putrajaya extends ERL concession period by 30 years after seven-year negotiations, says Loke |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/698324 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Edge Malaysia}}</ref>

== Units and subsidiaries ==
ERL Maintenance Support Sdn Bhd, or E-MAS, is ERL's operations and maintenance (O&M) subsidiary. E-MAS had working together with CRCC since 2012 on the operation & maintenance of [[Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Southern Line]] which their 13 employees were selected for the first outing in 2012 and another 29 employees were sent in 2013. In 2014 Hajj season, ERL has been working with [[Prasarana Malaysia]] to help fulfil CRCC's manpower requirements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myrapid.com.my/media-centre/media-releases/2014/erl-joins-forces-prasarana-send-operations-staff-makkah-metro |title=ERL Joins Forces with Prasarana to Send Operations Staff to Makkah Metro to Support the 2014 Hajj Season |publisher=myrapid.com.my |access-date=2014-07-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728182443/http://www.myrapid.com.my/media-centre/media-releases/2014/erl-joins-forces-prasarana-send-operations-staff-makkah-metro |archive-date=2014-07-28 }}</ref>

== Major facilities ==
*Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities
*Departure lounges
*Passenger arrival and departure halls
*Underground track area
*Duty-free outlets
*Food and beverage outlets
*Station parking

== Rolling stock ==
[[File:Inside the CRRC Changchun ERL Equator EMU.jpg|thumb|Inside the CRRC Changchun ERL Equator EMU used from KLIA Transit.]]
Both the [[KLIA Ekspres]] and [[KLIA Transit]] use 12 four-car [[Siemens Desiro]] ET 425 M [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) trains. The trains are derived from and technically similar to the [[DBAG Class 425]] used on [[S-Bahn]] systems in Germany<ref>[http://www.siemens.at/transportation/download/malaysia1.pdf Siemens - Express Rail Link Kuala Lumpur] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720043645/http://www.siemens.at/transportation/download/malaysia1.pdf |date=2006-07-20 }}</ref> and run at a maximum commercial speed at 160&nbsp;km/h, the fastest speed for rail travel in Malaysia.

On 27 November 2014, Express Rail Link ordered from [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|CRRC Changchun]] six new 4-car trains to cater to the ridership growth of both KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit services. CRRC's [[CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive|Zhuzhou plant]] had already supplied rolling stock to the [[Rapid KL]] [[Ampang Line]] and [[KTM Komuter]]. Of the six new trains, two will be used for KLIA Ekspres and four for KLIA Transit. Delivery of the six new trains will be made progressively from May 2016 onwards, after which testing will be done. ERL expects all six trains to be operational by November 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/express-rail-link--changchun-railway-ink-agreement-for-purchase-of-new-trains-300002026.html |title= Express Rail Link & Changchun Railway Ink Agreement for Purchase of New Trains |publisher=prnewswire.com |access-date=2014-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalairrail.com/news/entry/express-rail-link-signs-deal-for-six-new-trains|title=Express Rail Link signs deal for six new trains|publisher=globalairrail.com|access-date=2014-11-26|archive-date=2017-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215054030/https://www.globalairrail.com/news/entry/express-rail-link-signs-deal-for-six-new-trains|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1237566 |title= ERL buys 6 new trains from China's CRC |publisher=myrapid.com.my |access-date=2014-11-26}}</ref>

Commercial service commenced on 13 March 2018 using CRRC Changchun Equator EMUs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crrcgc.cc/en/g7389/s14333/t291215.aspx |title= Coupled CRRC "Equator EMU" with Self-developed Core Systems Put into Operation Today |publisher=crrcgc.cc |access-date=2018-03-19}}</ref>

== Fleet ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Line Code
! Line Name
! Formation
! In service
! EMU/Fleet
! Manufacturers
|- align=center
! {{rint|my|6}}
| {{lnl|KLRT|6}}
| 4 cars [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
| {{plainlist|
* 8 trainsets (32 cars)
* 2 trainsets (8 cars)
}}
| {{plainlist|
* [[Siemens Desiro]] ET 425 M
* [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|CRRC Changchun]] ''"Equator EMU"''
}}
| {{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Siemens Mobility|Siemens]]
* {{flagicon|China}} [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|CRRC Changchun]]
}}
|- align=center
! {{rint|my|7}}
| {{lnl|KLRT|7}}
| 4 cars [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
| {{plainlist|
* 4 trainsets (16 cars)
* 4 trainsets (16 cars)
}}
| {{plainlist|
* [[Siemens Desiro]] ET 425 M
* [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|CRRC Changchun]] ''"Equator EMU"''
}}
| {{plainlist|
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Siemens Mobility|Siemens]]
* {{flagicon|China}} [[CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles|CRRC Changchun]]
}}
|}

== Ridership ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |KLIA Express & KLIA Transit Ridership<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mot.gov.my/my/Statistik%20Tahunan%20Pengangkutan/Statistik%20Pengangkutan%20Malaysia%202008.pdf|title=Transport Statistics Malaysia 2008|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title=Statistic of Rail Transport |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/reports/quarterly-statistics-of-rail-transport |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=mot.gov.my}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
!Year
!KLIA Express
!KLIA Transit
!Note
|-
|2024
|1,365,769
|4,389,740
|As of Q3 2024
|-
|2023
|1,440,773
|5,143,373
|
|-
|2022
|563,472
|3,375,314
|
|-
|2021
|53,434
|724,997
|[[Malaysian movement control order#Progress timetable by phase|Total lockdown]]
|-
|2020
|388,949
|2,189,136
|[[COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia|COVID-19 pandemic]]
|-
|2019
|2,156,302
|6,788,122
|Highest on record (KLIA Transit) 
|-
|2018
|2,195,353
|6,540,177
|
|-
|2017
|2,275,650
|6,443,667
|
|-
|2016
|2,419,883
|6,485,272
|
|-
|2015
|3,470,710
|6,496,617
|Highest on record (KLIA Express) 
|-
|2014
|2,928,302
|6,310,323
|
|-
|2013
|2,062,223
|4,374,220
|
|-
|2012
|1,649,410
|3,713,536
|
|-
|2011
|1,581,476
|3,236,795
|
|-
|2010
|1,507,519
|2,626,121
|
|-
|2009
|1,419,827
|2,441,739
|
|-
|2008
|1,578,706
|2,508,886
|
|-
|2007
|1,780,384
|2,449,842
|
|-
|2006
|1,838,723
|2,369,763
|
|-
|2005
|1,604,404
|1,829,224
|
|-
|2004
|1,912,340
|1,734,614
|
|-
|2003
|1,697,574
|970,598
|
|-
|2002
|1,048,201
|187,848
|Opened on 14 April 2002
|}

== Accidents ==
On 24 August 2010, Express Rail Link suffered their first reported accident in which 3 passengers were injured. Two ERL trains collided at [[Kuala Lumpur Sentral]], Of the trains involved one of them was about to depart at 9.45pm for Kuala Lumpur International Airport while the other train, which was empty, rammed into its rear.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2 ERLs crash at KL Sentral |url=http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/23liz35/Article/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926074710/http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/23liz35/Article |archive-date=2010-09-26 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2 ERLs crash at KL Sentral, 3 hurt |url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20100824-233540.html}}</ref>

== Expansion ==
A 2.14&nbsp;km extension to the new [[KLIA2]] terminal of [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] has been completed. Commercial service commenced on 1 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kliaekspres.com/erlsb/ExpressRailLinkExtensiontoKLIA2/tabid/373/Default.aspx |title=Express Rail Link Extension to KLIA2 |access-date=2012-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123024737/http://www.kliaekspres.com/erlsb/ExpressRailLinkExtensiontoKLIA2/tabid/373/Default.aspx |archive-date=2012-11-23 }}</ref>

There are proposals to extend the line with two to four stations to [[Seremban]] and [[Melaka]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Malay Mail|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2014/05/26/putrajaya-mulls-rm8b-erl-extension-from-klia-to-malacca/676159|title=Putrajaya mulls RM8b ERL extension from KLIA to Malacca|access-date=4 January 2021 |date=26 May 2014}}</ref>

Due to automatic termination of [[Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail]] bilateral agreement after passing postponement deadline on 31 December 2020, the government planned to extend the line until [[Johor Bahru]] as an alternative for the cancelled HSR project.<ref>{{cite web|work=Free Malaysia Today|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/04/pn-govt-wanted-direct-nego-hsr-contracts-says-najib/|title=PN govt wanted 'direct nego' HSR contracts, says Najib |access-date=4 January 2021 |date=4 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=Today online|url=https://www.todayonline.com/world/johor-chief-minister-state-govt-hopes-malaysia-continues-hsr-project-despite-termination-spore|title=Johor chief minister: State govt hopes Malaysia continues HSR project despite termination with S'pore|access-date=4 January 2021 |date=2 January 2021}}</ref>

== Awards and achievements ==
{| class=wikitable
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Result
! {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2014
| Global AirRail Awards
| North Star Air Rail Link of the Year
| {{won}}
|<ref name="globalrailawards2016">{{cite web |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/189952/erl-named-north-star-air-rail-link-year-third-time|title=ERL named 'North Star Air Rail Link of the Year' for third time|date=19 November 2016|publisher=[[New Straits Times]] |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 2015
| Global AirRail Awards
| North Star Air Rail Link of the Year
| {{won}}
|<ref name="globalrailawards2016"/>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| rowspan="2" | Global AirRail Awards
| North Star Air Rail Link of the Year
| {{won}}
|<ref name="globalrailawards2016"/>
|-
| Social Responsibility
| {{won}}
|<ref name="globalrailawards2016"/>
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=150 heights=150 class=center>
File:KLIAekspres SalakSelatan.jpg|[[KLIA Ekspres]] trainset towards KL Sentral station.
File:ERL salak tinggi depot.jpg|KLIA Ekspres trainset at Salak Tinggi depot.
File:PutrajayaERLStation.JPG|The Putrajaya/Cyberjaya ERL station platform at night.
File:The gangway of CRRC Changchun ERL Equator EMU.jpg|The wide gangway between coaches of the CRRC Changchun ERL Equator EMU used from KLIA Transit.
File:KLIA Express entry at KLIA.JPG|[[klia2 ERL station]] entrance at [[klia2]]
File:KLIA Express X1-02.jpg|KLIA Exspres Siemens ET425M EMU Train at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station
File:KLIA Express train set X2-10.jpg|KLIA Exspres CRRC Changchun Equator EMU Train at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station
File:KLIA Transit train set T1-02.jpg|KLIA Transit Desiro ET 425 M EMU Train at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station
File:KLIA Transit train set T2-07.jpg|KLIA Transit Equater EMU Train at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Express Rail Link}}
*[http://www.kliaekspres.com KLIA Ekspres]
*[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//kuala-lumpurs-airport-in-the-city-opens-for-business.html Kuala Lumpur's airport in the city opens for business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616030305/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/kuala-lumpurs-airport-in-the-city-opens-for-business.html |date=2011-06-16 }} ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' May 2002

{{Rail transport in Malaysia}}
{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN}}

[[Category:Express Rail Link| ]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Malaysian companies established in 2002]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 2002]]
[[Category:Tabung Haji]]