Klang Valley commuters would be able to expect shorter travel time with increased train frequencies for several public transport rail lines by around August or September, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.
In a parliamentary reply, Loke said Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd are in the midst of implementing several initiatives to restore public confidence towards the rapid transit system.
“Following several service disruption incidents to the Light Rapid Transit, Rapid Rail as the licensed rail operator has taken immediate remedial steps to address said disruptive issues.
“With a more frequent service, this will reduce congestion especially during peak hours and lessen breakdown during operations,” he said in the reply to Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun.
Loke said Prasarana is also currently expediting the purchase of 19 sets of four-coach trains which are expected to be delivered in stages beginning August.
The four-coach train is set to replace the two-car LRT trains currently in use since 1998.
Regarding the improvement of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Kajang Line, Loke said the current wheel replacement programme which is expected to be completed in August 2023 will see train frequency return to four minutes during peak hours as compared to six minutes at present.
He also said component overhaul works on all 50 trains under the Ampang Line have started since October last year and are expected to be completed in December 2027.
As for the monorail line, Loke said the construction of two new monorail trains and restoration of one monorail train is expected to be completed in March 2025, with train frequencies set at five minutes during peak hours.
A KLIA Aerotrain to be operational next year
Meanwhile, Loke told the Dewan Rakyat that one of the two Automated Passenger Mover services or aerotrain at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 is expected to be operational next year.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry has instructed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to ensure that work on upgrading the system and building the new aerotrain is completed on schedule or earlier.
“This line has seen its ‘end of life’ phase as it has been in service for 25 years. The decision to replace the train should have been implemented earlier, but due to the delay in making the decision, we had to decommission the service.
“We know this matter gives a bad image to the country because it is the gateway into Malaysia and I have put pressure on MAHB so that it is implemented according to schedule and must be completed as soon as possible,” he said during a question-and-answer session on Wednesday.
Loke said this in reply to an additional question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) regarding the government’s measures to overcome the aerotrain service issue at KLIA which has had an impact on tourist arrivals.
