Bad news, avid travellers. It was just announced that the Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) KLIA Express has gone up.
This was officially announced by ERL, who confirmed that it will increase the fare from the current RM35 to RM55 beginning 1st January 2016.
If you don’t know what the KLIA Express is, it’s a premium non-stop high-speed train/commuter service that connects KL International Airport(s) and the Kuala Lumpur city.
It’s also the fastest airport transfer in Kuala Lumpur, taking you right into the city in just 28 minutes, with 3 quick stops in between: Salak Tinggi, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, and Bandar Tasik Selatan.
Naturally, people would favour it over other modes of transportations from airport to city for its speed, convenience, and above all, price.
But perhaps that’s about to change now that the KLIA Express fare is going to go up a whole RM20.
In a press release posted up on ERL’s website, ERL CEO Noormah Mohd. Noor said, “We structured our new fares with our customers in mind. We recognise that the rising cost of living is a challenge, and are working on ways to make more fare options available to our passengers. We will continue to find ways to reduce the impact without compromising our service and safety standards.”
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ERL also stressed that the new rate is a “discounted rate” as ERL has been authorised to revise the fare to RM64 based on the terms of the concession agreement.
But not all hope is lost as Noormah went on to add, “We would like to give passengers new options to reduce their costs when they travel. We are working with our partners such as MasterCard to offer attractive discounts. For example, passengers travelling to the airport on KLIA Ekspres can pay as low as RM40 per trip, which is only RM5 more than the old fare of RM35.”
ERL is also currently in discussion to expand the list of discounts, including:
- Discounts of up to 20% when using certain credit cards
- 10% off when passengers purchase their tickets online, via the mobile app, or from ERL’s kiosks
- 10% discount for Touch ‘n Go card users during the promotion period
- RM10 off for travellers who purchase return tickets between KL Sentral and the airport
For daily commuters, a new 44-trip Monthly TravelCard offers discounts of 17% – 83%, with an average discount of 45% - Senior citizens and disabled persons continue to receive discounts of 30% on one-way fares
The KLIA Express increase is the latest in transportation-related hikes announced recently.
The hike is coming after revisions to KTM Komuter fares and toll rates in over 2 dozen highways in the Klang Valley. Let’s not forget the price hike for taxi and express bus fares earlier in April this year following the GST implementation.
And with more to come, we hear. Sigh. We really can’t recall the last time we were so badly hit by so many price hikes in just one year. Anyone else really feeling the pinch? :(
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