TMR

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

AGEING trains are among the factors contributing to recurring disruptions on the Kelana Jaya Line, as Rapid Rail steps up maintenance efforts while awaiting the arrival of a new train fleet from 2029.

Rapid Rail chief operating officer Mohd Azmi Muhammad Yusof said the operator does not deny that the age of the trains has contributed to operational failures on the line.

Nevertheless, he explained that some disruptions were also linked to temporary instability arising from ongoing upgrade works, which may affect operations while upgraded systems stabilise.

He said such instability periods are common during the early phase of system upgrades, adding that it could take between one and two years before performance reaches a more stable stage.

Rapid Rail had taken serious note of the recent disruption on May 12 involving a melted battery cable, describing it as the first such incident recorded on the line.

Following the incident, Mohd Azmi said detailed inspections had been carried out on all trains to ensure components linked to the battery cable system remained safe and operational.

He said the inspections included checks on cable conditions, brackets and other related components, taking into account the age of the trains and equipment.

At the same time, Rapid Rail confirmed that the replacement of 26 trains for the Kelana Jaya Line had already begun, although the first new train is only expected to arrive in 2029.

Mohd Azmi said the full replacement programme is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2030, with full operations using the new fleet expected to begin in 2031.

In the meantime, he said Rapid Rail would continue intensifying maintenance efforts on the existing fleet through a more proactive condition-based maintenance approach.

Under the approach, components may be replaced earlier than scheduled if inspections detect signs of deterioration, instead of waiting for the replacement timeline stated in maintenance manuals.

As part of its mitigation measures, Rapid Rail is upgrading critical systems including radio communication, signalling and the digitalisation of closed-circuit television cameras to strengthen real-time monitoring and improve operational response.

The operator is also enhancing station safety infrastructure through the installation of platform barriers, automatic platform doors, Passenger Screen Door systems and Platform Intrusion Emergency Stop systems.

Passenger information and public announcement systems are also being upgraded to provide clearer, faster and more accurate updates during service disruptions.

Rapid Rail has additionally activated Rapid Troopers to help manage passenger flow during peak hours and placed Transit Officers inside trains to assist commuters and coordinate immediate action during technical issues or emergencies.

The improvements come as passenger demand on the Kelana Jaya Line continues to rise, with weekday ridership averaging 289,282 passengers a day, compared with 150,889 passengers in 2020.

Rapid Rail said the figure reflects annual growth of about 11.5%, while the line also recorded a load factor of 109% in April this year.

Mohd Azmi said Rapid Rail plans to increase the number of trains deployed during operations to help reduce waiting times and passenger congestion, while ensuring only trains deemed safe are released into service.

“We are committed to providing the best service without compromising passenger safety,” he told reporters during a media briefing on improvements to the Kelana Jaya Line today.

The initiatives are being implemented in phases until 2030 as part of Rapid Rail’s long-term plan to keep the Kelana Jaya Line safe, stable and reliable.

The post Ageing trains among causes of Kelana Jaya Line disruptions appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) expects more than 2.2 million vehicles on its highway network daily during the back-to-back holidays beginning this Friday.

For the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), traffic flow is expected to reach up to 50,000 vehicles per day during peak periods.

In a statement today, PLUS said the surge in traffic is due to the convergence of the mid-year school holidays with three major celebrations: Hari Raya Aidiladha, Wesak Day and the Official Birthday of His Majesty the King. 

Peak travel days for vehicles leaving the Klang Valley are expected to fall on May 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 31. For return journeys to the Klang Valley, peak days are forecast for June 4, 5, 6 and 7. 

“Highway users are advised to plan their balik kampung or holiday trips earlier to avoid congestion. The public is also encouraged to refer to and obtain the MyPLUS-TTA digital travel schedule via the PLUS app,” the statement read. 

To ensure optimal safety and comfort, PLUS will activate Smart Lanes at 33 traffic-prone locations to boost lane capacity, while deploying over 500 PLUSRonda and LPT2Ronda personnel for 24-hour patrols.

PLUS is also optimising operations by opening all toll plaza lanes and monitoring real-time traffic through its Traffic Monitoring Centre.

Through strategic collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police, Road Transport Department, Malaysian Highway Authority and other agencies, PLUS is committed to easing traffic flow and maintaining peak safety levels.

Motorists can get live traffic updates via the PLUS app, PUTRI virtual assistant, X accounts @plustrafik and @lpt2trafik, Variable Message Signs (VMS), and major national radio stations.

“PLUS advises highway users to use the PLUS app, Waze or Google Maps to plan trips and check real-time traffic throughout the festive season,” the statement read.

Highway users are reminded to ensure sufficient Touch ‘n Go or eWallet balance (for RFID and JustGO users), keep vehicles in good condition, drive carefully, rest adequately and follow traffic rules for everyone’s safety.

For emergency assistance, call PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000 or LPT2Line at 1800-88-0220. — BERNAMA

The post PLUS expects traffic surge during back-to-back holidays starting Friday appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

SEPANG — The Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) has confirmed that all 50 vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0, carrying 428 humanitarian activists from 40 countries, were intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters about 80 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.

SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby (picture) said reports and visual evidence showed that the vessel Sirius was attacked with high-pressure water cannons and aggressively rammed by an Israeli naval ship identified as A833D.

“Visual evidence also captured shots being fired at the vessels Girolama and Elengi. Each vessel in the GSF flotilla is equipped with CCTV cameras mounted on the mast, and all recordings will serve as evidence.

“All activists, including doctors, media workers, ship captains, crew members and human rights defenders, were confirmed to have been taken from their vessels under armed threat before being forcibly transferred to Israeli naval ships, which are believed to have taken them to the port of Ashdod yesterday,” he said at a press conference on the latest developments in the GSF 2.0 mission here today.

He said the incident also involved 18 vessels carrying 29 Malaysians, including the detention of four activists yesterday, namely Muhammad Hareez Adzrami and Chin Shiau Weai, who were aboard the vessel Alcyone, as well as Syed Amirul Syafiq Syed Iskandar (on Don Juan) and Noor Thanisah Mohammad Tajudin (on Zefiro). 

“This is based on the latest confirmation from the SNCC operations room,” he said.

In a related development, Sani Araby said SNCC also confirmed that four of the 11 Indonesian regional delegates representing the Sumud Nusantara network were also detained.

They are Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirsano, who were aboard the vessel Alcyone, while Asad Aras and Hendro Prasetyo were on the vessel Kasri Sadabad.

He described the incident as a serious violation of international law and human rights, and called for urgent action from the international community to ensure the safety of all activists involved.

Sani Araby also said SNCC had been informed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan that diplomatic efforts were being stepped up and carried out continuously to increase international pressure, including through close cooperation with friendly nations, to ensure all activists are released immediately and kept safe.

“SNCC fully supports the Malaysian government’s strong condemnation of the attack on the humanitarian mission,” he said.

He said SNCC also backed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement on May 18, condemning Israel’s ‘piracy and banditry’ against the humanitarian flotilla. — BERNAMA

The post SNCC: All GSF 2.0 vessels carrying 428 activists intercepted by Israel appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.