Despite its wealth and modern infrastructure, Brunei remains one of the few countries without a passenger railway. But why has the nation stayed off track?
Brunei has no trains. Not one passenger railway, no metro lines, no light rail…. nothing. For a wealthy, modern nation in the heart of Southeast Asia, it’s a surprising fact. Especially when its neighbour (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore) have all invested heavily in rail systems to move people and goods efficiently.
So why has Brunei, with its deep oil wealth and reputation for order and modern infrastructure, stayed off the rails?
The story of Brunei’s missing trains is part history, part geography, and part policy choice. It’s a tale of a nation that, despite having the means, never saw a pressing need for trains, until now, perhaps.
Let’s back track
To be fair, Brunei isn’t completely devoid of rail history. In the early 20th century, a small, narrow-gauge railway line was built to serve the Brooketon Colliery, a coal mine near Muara. It was a purely industrial setup used to transport coal from the mine to the coast for export. The mine closed in 1924, and with it, Brunei’s flirtation with trains came to an end.
Since then, rail has never been seriously developed, even as neighboring countries expanded their networks. While Malaysia’s rail system stretches across the peninsula and parts of Malaysian Borneo, and Indonesia is expanding into Kalimantan, Brunei has remained on the sidelines.
So why no trains?
Some key factors are:
- Geographic size: Brunei is small (about 5,700km²) and split into two separate parts, divided by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The distances between major population centres are relatively short, so rail has never been deemed essential.
- Car culture and subsidies: With heavily subsidized fuel prices, low population density, and minimal traffic, private car ownership is the norm. Public transport options like buses are available but underutilised, and taxis are few and far between.
- Economic focus: Brunei’s economy has long been cantered around oil and gas. Infrastructure investment has often favoured roads, ports, and airports; things that directly support that industry.
Enter the Trans Borneo Railway: a glimpse into the future?
There is one project that has brought rail back into the conversation: the proposed Trans Borneo Railway.
In recent years, regional discussions have explored the idea of a railway network linking the three main Borneo territories (Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, and Kalimantan in Indonesia) with Brunei positioned as a potential connector or strategic hub. The concept has gained momentum, especially in light of Indonesia’s plan to move its capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan, a move that would shift the economic and political focus closer to Brunei’s doorstep.
If realised, the Trans Borneo Railway could transform transportation across the island. It would enable faster movement of goods and people, while also easing pressure on roads that cut through some of the world’s most biodiverse and fragile rainforest areas. For Brunei, the project presents a unique chance to modernize its domestic transport network, step into a more prominent regional role, and align its infrastructure with broader goals of sustainable development.
Yet despite its potential benefits, Brunei has remained cautious. The country’s traditionally measured approach to large-scale projects, coupled with a strong emphasis on internal stability, means that active participation in a multinational infrastructure effort like this might not be a priority, at least not yet.
A sustainable irony
Brunei often champions environmental stewardship, with large tracts of rainforest under protection. Yet its transportation system is overwhelmingly reliant on private vehicles; hardly a model for sustainability. A rail network, even a small-scale urban light rail or intercity link, could significantly cut emissions and modernize transit.
What could a Brunei rail network look like?
It’s not far-fetched to imagine:
- A light rail or monorail system within Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital, easing urban congestion.
- A short regional line connecting the two non-contiguous parts of the country, possibly with cooperation from Malaysia to cross through Limbang.
- Integration with the Trans Borneo Railway, linking Brunei to regional trade and tourism corridors.
Final Thoughts: Should Brunei Get On Board?
Brunei’s absence of trains isn’t a failure, it’s more of an anomaly. A legacy of geography, policy, and oil wealth. But times are changing. As the region evolves and Brunei looks to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, perhaps it’s time to rethink how people and goods move.
The tracks haven’t been laid yet, but the destination is there, waiting.