Kuala lumpur: The country's rail cargo service usage has continued to show positive growth, with cargo volume transported by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) recording an increase of 10 to 20 percent during January to March this year against the same period last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri stated that the growth, measured based on indicators such as total tonnage and twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), reflected a continuous growth trend in the rail logistics sector. Despite challenges posed by the ongoing crisis, rail-based cargo delivery performance remains on a positive trajectory.

Azlan Shah highlighted that even during the crisis, the sector has witnessed growth, overcoming challenges and changes in cargo operations. The tonnage and TEUs have maintained a positive trend compared to the same period last year, indicating that the overall performance is positive. He shared these insights at a press conference discussing the Rail Usage Campaign to Address Rising Fuel Costs.

Furthermore, Azlan Shah emphasized that the development reflects the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to encourage the shift of cargo transportation from road to rail. This initiative aims to improve logistics efficiency while reducing traffic congestion and the risk of accidents involving lorries.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook noted that the continuous growth in KTMB cargo performance results from government policy encouraging the shift of goods transportation from road to rail. This growth is not merely a reaction to the current crisis but a reflection of long-term strategic policies.

Loke explained that the growth began last year, aligned with enforcement campaigns targeting overloaded lorries and efforts to strengthen rail transport in the national logistics system. The policy encouraging the shift from road to railways has positively impacted the growth of train cargo services.

He acknowledged that while there has been an increase in cargo volume, more effort is required to boost demand for train cargo services in the future.