Singapore's terminus for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail will be located at Jurong East.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced this on Tuesday (May 5) after the Leaders' Retreat with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak.

Jurong East was chosen as it dovetails with Singapore's overall plans to transform the area into a second Central Business District, according to a statement.

EC- Sol Acres EC High Speed Rail

Malaysia had earlier identified five terminus stations: Kuala Lumpur (at Bandar Malaysia), Seremban, Melaka, Muar, Batu Pahat, Nusajaya and the final stop in Singapore.

In a joint statement, both leaders noted "steady progress" on the High Speed Rail project and that agreements have been reached on the dual co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) configuration, the frequency bands to be reserved for High Speed Rail operations, as well as on locating the depot and stabling facilities in Malaysia.

The High Speed Rail project, which was agreed upon in 2013, has been described by both leaders as a "game changer". It aims to cut down on travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to just 90 minutes.

The Prime Ministers also noted that the initial target of completion of the project - which was the year 2020 - needs to be re-assessed due to the scale and complexity of the project. No new time frame has been provided.

High-Speed Rail: Developers to keep tabs on Government plans for surrounding land
TODAY reports: The high speed rail terminal station will take up 12ha — or less than a fifth — of the 67ha plot that will be acquired by the Government from Jurong Country Club.

At a media briefing, Urban Redevelopment Authority CEO Ng Lang said the area around the terminal station will be developed into “an attractive mixed-use development precinct for business”.

“This will include developing uses for office, for hotel, for retail, for entertainment,” he said.

The site has “special” characteristics as it surrounded by water bodies and greenery, Mr Ng noted. “On the waterfront ... we can put aside some space that can allow us to develop a family-friendly facility that can complement what we’re already planning for the Jurong Lake District and the new Science Centre.”

Mr Colin Tan, director of research and consultancy at Suntec Real Estate, pointed out that the high-profile project is quite unlike any other. “We need to realise that this is not just another MRT terminus,” he said.

He added that the pricing of the tickets is “the best indicator of the type of patron (that) retailers and developers may expect in the area”.

Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) Genting Hotel Jurong, which opened its doors in Jurong East last month, has hit the jackpot: It is located right next to the plot of land that will be redeveloped for the terminal station.

An RWS spokesperson said: “We are very excited to be a part of the rapid transformation and growth that is taking place at the Jurong Lake District. With the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high speed rail terminus set to be just a stone’s throw from Genting Hotel Jurong, the hotel is well-placed to welcome visitors and commuters from Malaysia and the region.”

CHOICE OF JURONG MAKES "ECONOMICAL SENSE": ANALYSTS

Mr Desmond Sim, Head of CBRE Research for Singapore and Southeast Asia said the choice of Jurong East for the High Speed Rail terminus makes the "most economical sense", and one that is most convenient for commuters, given its links to major MRT lines and the upcoming Jurong Region Line.

"This could be the most important and final piece of the puzzle to seal Jurong Gateway’s status as a regional commercial hub, the same way that Tampines has the airport, and Woodlands, the Causeway to link Malaysia with Singapore," he said. "Firms with a high exposure to Singapore’s northern neighbours will also find Jurong Gateway particularly attractive."

Cushman and Wakefield Research Director Christine Li said Jurong East is a "highly attractive" location for the terminus, as not only does it have three MRT stations and a bus interchange, it is also connected to the CBD and Changi Airport by major expressways.

“Vacant land is still available for development, so construction cost is relatively low as compared to city centre due to minimal tunneling. It is also the biggest commercial hub outside the Central Business District (CBD), boasting retail, office and hotel offerings, which beats the far-flung industrial area Tuas West," she said.

Cushman predicts that Jurong Gateway could emerge as "a new urban centre in the greater Singapore-KL megacity", once the High Speed Rail is in operation. "Its strategic location could complement that in the CBD and over time, it will become a mini-city on its own with work, live and play in the bustling regional hub," Ms Li adeed.

PROPERTY LAUNCHES & INVESTMENTS

Property Launches & Investments

Singapore High Speed Rail will be located in Jurong East

High-Speed Rail: Developers to keep tabs on Government plans for surrounding land
TODAY reports: The high speed rail terminal station will take up 12ha — or less than a fifth — of the 67ha plot that will be acquired by the Government from Jurong Country Club.

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PROPERTY LAUNCHES & INVESTMENTS

Property Launches & Investments

Singapore High Speed Rail will be located in Jurong East

High-Speed Rail: Developers to keep tabs on Government plans for surrounding landTODAY reports: The high speed rail terminal station will take up 12ha — or less than a fifth — of the 67ha plot that will be acquired by the Government from Jurong Country Club.

Comments

Leave your comment

High-Speed Rail: Developers to keep tabs on Government plans for surrounding land
TODAY reports: The high speed rail terminal station will take up 12ha — or less than a fifth — of the 67ha plot that will be acquired by the Government from Jurong Country Club.