Latest news with #KeretapiTanahMelayu


Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Signal upgrading works cause major delays on Komuter and ETS routes
Scores of passengers crowd KL Sentral following delays caused by KTMB's signal migration works that began on Friday. (X pic) PETALING JAYA : 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 continuing until tomorrow. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), in a statement today, said the delays affected KTM Komuter services on the Pulau Sebang (Tampin)-Batu Caves, Pulau Sebang-Tanjung Malim-KL Sentral routes, as well as ETS services. Bernama said the signal migration works were being carried out between the Kepong and Salak Selatan stations to ensure a more efficient and safer signalling system. KTMB said the works were part of Phase 1 of the Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) infrastructure upgrade project. KTMB chief operating officer Zain Mat Taha extended apologies to passengers affected by the delays. Phase 1 of the KVDT project, which began in 2015, involved the rehabilitation of tracks and railway systems along the Rawang-Salak Selatan and Simpang Batu-Sentul routes, covering 110km. Phase 2, covering a 140km 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. The upgraded, modern signalling system is expected to help reduce train service intervals.


Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
KTMB postpones upgrade works ahead of Asean summit
Yesterday, KTMB drew criticism after announcing upgrade works from May 24 to 26, a period when commuters were encouraged to use public transportation due to road closures for the Asean Summit. PETALING JAYA : Railway operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has postponed its scheduled signal upgrade works, which were originally planned from May 24 to 26, in view of the Asean Summit. In a Facebook post, the company said KTM Komuter services from Pulau Sebang to Batu Caves, Tanjung Malim to KL Sentral, and the Electric Train Service (ETS) will continue to operate as usual. A new date for the upgrading work will be announced later. Yesterday, KTMB had announced that its KTM Komuter services in the Klang Valley could face delays of up to 50 minutes due to the planned upgrade. The announcement drew criticism from netizens who questioned the timing of the works when more were expected to use the public transport service due to road closures for the Asean Summit. The Asean Summit will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26 and 27, with foreign delegates arriving in the country from tomorrow onwards. Last week, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil urged Klang Valley residents to use public transport during the summit to help ease traffic congestion due to road closures.


Malay Mail
07-05-2025
- Malay Mail
KTMB adds special East Coast train service for Hari Raya Aidiladha travellers
KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has added a special train service to the East Coast to accommodate travellers returning home for Hari Raya Aidiladha next month. In a statement today, KTMB said the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha will operate with two scheduled services, with 436 tickets available for each trip. 'One-way fares are from RM80 to RM95, with premier and superior class seating, superior sleeper coaches options, as well as access to chillax and café coaches,' the statement read. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The special train will depart from KL Sentral to Tumpat, Kelantan at 11pm on June 5, and make the return journey from Tumpat to KL Sentral at 10.45pm on June 8. It will stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kajang, Seremban, Pulau Sebang, Gemas, Bahau, Mentakab, Jerantut, Kuala Lipis, Gua Musang, Dabong, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas and Wakaf Baru before reaching its final destination at Tumpat. 'KTMB remains committed to supporting the government's initiative to expand public transport options by providing special train services to help ease traffic congestion along the East Coast routes, which are typically crowded during festive seasons. 'This service enables passengers to travel home to their loved ones safely and comfortably. 'It also offers an alternative for tourists planning to visit destinations along the East Coast. Passengers are advised to arrive at the station early to ensure smooth security and documentation checks at the boarding gates,' the statement added. Tickets are available via the KTM Mobile (KITS) app, KTMB's official website at or KTMB kiosk machines. The public may contact the KTMB call centre at 03-9779 1200 or visit KTMB's official social media platforms for further enquiries and latest updates. — Bernama


Malay Mail
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Why change KTM when colonial names remain? — Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli
APRIL 25 — Recent suggestions to change the name Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) because it is supposedly 'obsolete' have triggered a lot of discussion. The claim is that the name no longer fits with the image of a modern and inclusive Malaysia. But this kind of proposal brings up a bigger question — if KTM, a name in our national language and one that carries deep historical significance, is considered outdated, what about the many towns and places in Malaysia that still carry the names of colonial officers and British royalty? Keretapi Tanah Melayu is not a colonial name. It is rooted in our own history, unlike George Town—named after King George III—or Port Dickson, Fraser's Hill, Cameron Highlands, and Butterworth, which were named during the British colonial era. KTM represents a local and national identity. It reflects the spirit of a growing Malaya that eventually became an independent nation. Saying that Tanah Melayu is no longer relevant is to overlook the long journey of this land and its people. Some people feel that Tanah Melayu sounds exclusive and does not reflect the multicultural nature of Malaysia today. But actually, Tanah Melayu refers to the historical and geographical reality of the Malay Peninsula—it's not a statement to exclude anyone. Historically, Tanah Melayu simply means Land of the Malays—what's wrong with acknowledging that fact? Just as Thailand is the land of the Thais, and China the land of the Chinese, it is perfectly natural for the Malay Peninsula to be referred to by its historical identity. That does not mean there is no room for others; it just reflects the roots of the land. What's ironic is the reaction we see when people try to change colonial names. Take George Town, for example. When there was a suggestion to rename it Tanjung Penaga, which was the original name of the area, many of the same people who support changing KTM were quick to criticise. Some said it would 'erase history' or 'confuse tourists', even though the name George Town itself came from colonial rule. The irony is hard to miss—a colonial name is defended strongly, while a local, historical name like KTM is seen as outdated. This kind of double standard is quite hard to understand. If we are serious about decolonisation or rebranding our national identity, then we should start by reviewing names that clearly came from colonial times. Why are names like George Town and Butterworth still around in post-independence Malaysia? Why haven't places like Fraser's Hill and Cameron Highlands been renamed to reflect our local heritage and identity? If the goal is to move past old identities, then surely colonial names should be the first to go—not a name like KTM that comes from our own language and culture. To the author, 'Keretapi Tanah Melayu' is not a colonial name as it is rooted in the history of Malaysia and the national language. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Names are not just for convenience—they carry meaning. Keretapi Tanah Melayu brings back memories, a sense of belonging, and national pride. It's a living symbol of our past, and one that has grown together with us as a nation. Changing it is not really progress—it's more like forgetting who we are. In the end, let's not be too quick to throw away our own identity just to look 'modern'. If KTM needs to go because it's seen as old-fashioned, then we should be fair and apply the same logic to all names—especially those left behind by colonial rule. Otherwise, we might end up protecting the names of our colonisers while slowly erasing our own. * Associate Professor Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli is a senior lecturer at Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.


Rakyat Post
23-04-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
KTMB Welcomes Thoughtful Feedback But Insists Name Change Unnecessary
Railway operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) recently dismissed a proposal to 'modernise' its brand name. According to news daily 'KTMB, established in 1885, has a rich history that is integral to Malaysia's development. Its name, Keretapi Tanah Melayu, reflects this legacy. However, as Malaysia has evolved, so has KTMB,' the company said in a statement. The response came after a KTMBs roots stretch all the way back to British colonial times, over more than a century. Image: Valid arguments, but as KTMB highlighted, despite its name, the company has made progress alongside Malaysia. The rail operator said it has improved its services over the years to embrace modernisation, such as introducing the Electric Train Service (ETS) and enhancing the KTM Komuter network as well as KTM Intercity. KTMB noted that it uses distinct service brands to connect with different audiences, such as the ETS for high-speed intercity travel, KTM Komuter for urban daily transit, and KTM Intercity for long-distance regional routes. The company described the name change suggestion as thoughtful public feedback and said it welcomed the opportunity to clarify any public misconceptions, adding that the corporate name preserves the company's heritage, while branding for specific services is designed to meet current market needs. Keretapi Tanah Melayu: connecting Malaysia and beyond KTMB is Malaysia's main railway operator and has been a part of the country's transport story for over a century. It all began in 1885, when the first railway line was launched between Taiping and Port Weld (now Kuala Sepetang), mainly to transport tin from mines to the port. As railways expanded across the Malay Peninsula, the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR) was formed in 1891 to streamline the network under one system. Port Weld station sign preserved after its closure in the 1980s. Image: After Malaysia gained independence, the railway underwent a few changes. In 1948, it became the Malayan Railway Administration, and by 1962, it was officially renamed Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), embracing a more local identity. To modernize its operations, KTM was corporatized in 1992 and became Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), a government-owned company. Since then, it has introduced several key services like the KTM Komuter in 1995 (Malaysia's first commuter train service), and upgraded its infrastructure with electrified double tracks to support faster and more frequent trains. Image: KTMB Today, KTMB runs a variety of services, including ETS (Electric Train Service) for intercity travel, KTM Komuter for daily commuters, and cargo services. It even connects Malaysia to neighboring countries like Thailand and Singapore. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.