High-speed rail

High-speed rail is a type of rail transport that operates significantly faster than traditional rail traffic, using an integrated system of specialized rolling stock and dedicated tracks. While there is no single standard that applies worldwide, new lines in excess of 250 km/h and existing lines in excess of 200 km/h are widely considered to be high-speed, with some extending the definition to include much lower speeds (e.g. 160 km/h) in areas for which these speeds still represent significant improvements. The first such system began operations in Japan in 1964 and was widely known as the bullet train. High-speed trains normally operate on standard gauge tracks of continuously welded rail on grade-separated right-of-way that incorporates a large turning radius in its design.

Many countries have developed high-speed rail to connect major cities, including Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan. Only in Europe does HSR cross international borders. China has 19,000 km of HSR as of December 2015, accounting for two thirds of the world's total.

Rapid Rail

Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd (styled as rapidrail) was established to place all three rail operators for Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan Sdn Bhd (STAR-LRT) previously operate and currently known as Ampang Line, Projek Usahasama Transit Ringan Automatik Sdn Bhd (PUTRA-LRT) for Kelana Jaya Line and KL Starrail Sdn Bhd on KL Monorail – under one administrating umbrella in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Rapid Rail network contains two light metro lines comprising the Ampang and Kelana Jaya Lines, with the KL Monorail line being the other major component of the network.

These rapid transit systems were run under the brand name of "Rapid KL". Along with the KTM Komuter lines, owned and operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, and the Express Rail Link airport lines, this system constitutes the entire public rail network of Kuala Lumpur. The network comprises 60 stations with 72 kilometres (45 mi) of route among the three lines. The two LRT Lines operate on standard gauge (1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)) rail, while the KL Monorail operates on an ALWEG straddle beam. Train services operate from 6.00 a.m and typically end before midnight daily, with frequencies varying from approximately three minutes during peak hours to fourteen minutes during non-peak hours.