Japan Confident Shinkansen Experience Will Help In HSR Project

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Japanese government is confident its 50-year experience in operating the Shinkansen high-speed rail line network would provide the best, efficient and safe service for Malaysians and Singaporeans for Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project. Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Makio Miyagawa (front, right), said the Shinkansen had never experienced any fatal accidents and its average delay recorded was only one minute per year. "We have never lost any human life in the operations for 50 years and this will provide reliability to Malaysians and Singaporeans. "We would also be happy to offer human resource development where we are willing to entirely transfer the technology of the systems and train Malaysians and Singaporeans so that from day one of operation, they can operate like experts," he said the launch of the 'Project Shinkansen' exhibition here Thursday. Miyagawa said compared to other country's technology, Japan's was the initial for HSR, being the most advanced and safest. "We are ready and willing to join in the bidding and offer the entire systems to the project. We are proposing the best technology, service and financing," he said. However, he said, it was up to the Malaysians and Singaporeans which one they would want. "We will not force or compel them to adopt anything. "But for them to make the right decision and selection, we would be happy to offer them the best data, best proposal and best option," said Miyagawa. The 350-kilometre (km) KL-Singapore HSR project, would cut travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Jurong East, Singapore to 90 minutes, with the trains travelling at a maximum speed of 300 km per hour. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA