logo
Signal upgrade causes major KTM Komuter, ETS service delays

Signal upgrade causes major KTM Komuter, ETS service delays

The Sun02-06-2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Train services on several KTM Komuter and Electric Train Service (ETS) routes are experiencing major delays due to signal system migration works that began on May 30 and are set to continue until tomorrow.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), in a statement today, said the delays affect KTM Komuter services on the Pulau Sebang – Batu Caves – Pulau Sebang and Tanjung Malim – KL Sentral – Tanjung Malim routes, as well as ETS services.
'The signal migration works are being carried out between Kepong and Salak Selatan stations to ensure a more efficient and safer signalling system capable of supporting the increasing number of passenger train operations in the Klang Valley,' the statement said.
KTMB said the works are part of Phase 1 of the Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) infrastructure upgrade project, with all other project components completed in April.
In the same statement, KTMB chief operating officer Mohd Zain Mat Taha extended the management's apologies to passengers affected by the delays.
Phase 1 of the KVDT project, which began in 2015, involves the rehabilitation of tracks and railway systems along the Rawang–Salak Selatan and Simpang Batu–Sentul routes, covering approximately 110 kilometres.
The scope includes upgrades to track formation and structures, overhead line systems, signalling and communication systems, electrification works and enhancements at 16 key stations across the Klang Valley corridor.
Phase 2 of the KVDT project, covering a 140-kilometre stretch from Salak Selatan to Seremban, and Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang, commenced in February 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2029.
Since the start of the track rehabilitation and upgrade works, KTM Komuter services have been operating at 30-minute intervals, as only a single track is available in the affected sections under repair.
'These upgrades are crucial to ensuring the safety of rail transport, especially given the ageing infrastructure and the presence of several flood-prone stretches along the mainline,' the statement added.
Once completed, the project will significantly improve capacity and efficiency to accommodate growing demand. The upgraded, modern signalling system will also help reduce train service intervals.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KTMB reaffirms commitment to Johor on ETS expansion
KTMB reaffirms commitment to Johor on ETS expansion

Free Malaysia Today

time03-08-2025

  • Free Malaysia Today

KTMB reaffirms commitment to Johor on ETS expansion

KTMB said it is working with the relevant contractors and authorities to ensure its ETS service from Segamat to Kluang will be ready as soon as possible, with trial runs currently under way. PETALING JAYA : Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) is committed to fully expanding its Electric Train Service (ETS) to Johor as soon as possible. However, the company said it will only be done in phases, after ensuring the safety and reliability of the service to the southern sector, Bernama reported. 'KTMB's primary responsibility is to ensure safety, reliability and readiness before opening any new segment to the public,' it said in a statement today. KTMB said it is working with the relevant contractors and authorities to ensure the next segment of its service, from Segamat to Kluang, will be ready as soon as possible, with trial runs currently under way. The three phases for the ETS extension in Johor are to Segamat, Kluang, and JB Sentral in Johor Bahru. The service currently runs from Padang Besar in Perlis to Segamat. 'The transport minister (Loke Siew Fook) had announced last March, when launching the service to Segamat, that the extension in the southern sector will be done in phases, depending on several critical technical milestones and regulatory approvals,' KTMB said. The company said it wanted to reassure the public of its commitment to delivering a safe, modern and transformative rail service for the southern corridor, following recent reports on the service being extended to Johor Bahru. KTMB said the ETS service to Segamat has been operating successfully since March this year, offering improved travel options and stimulating local economic activity. 'KTMB wishes to thank all passengers, local stakeholders and the public for their patience and continued support. We remain fully committed to making ETS travel to the south a success,' it said.

Segamat-JB ETS not going to be ready anytime soon
Segamat-JB ETS not going to be ready anytime soon

The Star

time02-08-2025

  • The Star

Segamat-JB ETS not going to be ready anytime soon

PETALING JAYA: Those hoping to ride KTM Bhd's (KTMB) Electric Train Service (ETS) to Johor Baru will have to wait until the end of the year, if not next year, for their hopes to become a reality. An inspection by The Star along 180km alignment from Segamat to JB Sentral recently found that it is impossible for ETS services to reach the southern city anytime this quarter as significant electrification and signalling works remain incomplete, especially along the 100km stretch between Kluang and JB Sentral. At the section near Johor Baru, the catenary system is still incomplete, with contact wires and other critical components of the overhead line equipment (OHLE) yet to be installed. OHLE is the system of overhead wires and supporting structures that supply electricity to power electric trains, and it is a critical part of railway electrification. Incomplete: A lot of work still needs to be done to KTMB's rail electrification and signalling infrastructure in the second half of the Gemas-JB double tracking project. At JB Sentral (pic), only a rudimentary pole structure is seen on July 28. — MENG YEW CHOONG/The Star The 192km stretch from Gemas to Johor Baru has been touted by some to be ready for service by August, with Transport Minister Anthony Loke saying so earlier in the year. However, there has been no update since the short stretch between Gemas and Segamat began ETS operations on March 15. When KTMB opened advance ticket sales on June 30 for travel up to Dec 31, no southbound ETS tickets were offered beyond Segamat. Last Wednesday, KTMB announced the suspension of its advance ticket sales beyond December, apologising that it will not be offering January 2026 tickets anytime soon. It typically opens ticket sales up to six months in advance. According to train systems specialist Yuslizar Daud, the process of fully installing and testing an overhead electrical system can be lengthy. 'Stringing of the OHLE, tensioning, adjustment with the tracks, energisation, testing and commissioning will take considerable time. Then there is the final inspection by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) before the green light is given. 'I don't see (from the picture) how it can be ready even by September,' said Yuslizar, the former head of the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commis­sion's Rail Division. However, it is understood that KTMB is attempting to accelerate the opening of the 90km stretch from Segamat to Kluang, so that ETS services can be extended to Kluang by this quarter, though it seems that KTMB has yet to submit the relevant application to Apad. Also happening at the same time is the testing of new ETS train sets, which recently arrived from China, in line with the statutory requirement for the first unit – known as the golden train – to log at least 8,000km without demonstrating any fault in what is known as the fault-free run (FFR). FFR is a standard requirement to ensure the integrity of the entire system before it could be deployed for commercial operations, and all new train sets are required to undergo the procedure, though similar sets may pass with a lower testing mileage provided the golden train clocks 8,000km or more flawlessly. It is assumed that KTMB will attempt to operate ETS services to Kluang using its older ETS trains, if Apad gives the green light for the stretch to open for service. Queries sent to KTMB and the Transport Ministry did not yield any insight, with the respective agencies asking The Star to contact the 'other side' instead.

KTMB adds extra ETS services for Merdeka, school holidays
KTMB adds extra ETS services for Merdeka, school holidays

New Straits Times

time30-07-2025

  • New Straits Times

KTMB adds extra ETS services for Merdeka, school holidays

KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka celebrations, Maulidur Rasul, Malaysia Day, and the second-term school holidays, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will introduce two additional KL Sentral–Padang Besar Electric Train Service (ETS) trips in both directions. The additional services will operate across selected dates: Aug 28 to Sept 1, Sept 5 to 7, and Sept 2 to 21. Tickets for these services will be available from 10am tomorrow (July 31). Operating over a period of 18 days, the services will offer 630 seats daily, including business class options, with a total of 11,340 seats available throughout the period. The additional Padang Besar–KL Sentral service (EP9283) will depart at 11.05am and arrive at 4.30pm, while the KL Sentral–Padang Besar service (EP9286) will depart at 5pm and arrive at 10.20pm. The initiative aims to accommodate increased demand during the festive and holiday seasons, while encouraging the use of public transport to ease traffic congestion, particularly for those returning to their hometowns. It is also in line with the prime minister's recent announcement of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday. "This initiative reflects KTMB's ongoing commitment to delivering reliable and comfortable services to meet passenger needs," KTMB said in a statement today. Members of the public are encouraged to plan their journeys and purchase tickets early to enjoy more affordable flexible fares and avoid last-minute bookings. Passengers are also advised to arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure to allow for necessary checks, as boarding gates will close five minutes prior to departure. Tickets may be purchased online via the KITS Style app, an upgraded, user-friendly digital platform offering enhanced features. Launched two weeks ago, the app is now available for download via the Play Store, App Store, and AppGallery. For further information, visit or contact the KTMB call centre at 03-9779 1200.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store