Six new railway halts in Sabah to open in October

 By Olivia Miwil

August 22, 2026 @ 4:56pm

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick says six new railway halts along the Sembulan-Kinarut route are expected to begin operations in October, giving commuters more convenient access to rail services. – Pic courtesy of Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport ministry

KOTA KINABALU: Six new railway halts along the Sembulan-Kinarut route have been completed and are expected to begin operations in October, says Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.

The six halts – Lok Kawi, Tombovo, Meruntum, Bukit Vor, Petagas and Petagas War Memorial – were completed earlier this year as part of efforts to expand public access to rail services.

"Six railway halts have been completed, and several more are being considered for development.

"The halts will give the public more options and convenience, as they will no longer have to rely entirely on main stations to use railway services," he said.

Ewon, who is also state Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Minister, said this after officiating the 130th Railway Day programme organised by the Sabah State Railway Department at Tanjung Aru Station here today.

He said the facilities would provide an alternative public transport option, particularly as the cost of using private vehicles, including fuel, remained a challenge for road users.

Meanwhile, Ewon said he was awaiting the findings of a study on a proposal to extend the railway network from Putatan to Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), including Sepanggar Port.

"I want to see the findings of the study on extending railway services from Putatan to KKIP, including the Sepanggar Port area.

"Hopefully, once the study is completed and presented to the ministry or state government, we can determine the next course of action," he said.