Rolling Stock Upgrading
http://www.ktmb.com.my

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Under the RMK8 plan, the Government of Malaysia have approved funding of RM 636.73 million for the purchase of rolling stock comprising of new high powered diesel locomotives, wagons and coaches. Fourty (40) new high-powered 3200 h.p. locomotives have been procured and have arrived in stages with the first batch of 5 locomotives received on 1st October 2003 and second batch of 7 locomotives received on 5th December 2003. The supply for 10 Air-conditioned Buffet Coaches (ABC) and procurements of 195 Bogie Container Flat (BCF), 55 Bogie Refrigerated Flat (BRF) and 2 Power-Generating Cars have been completed. Other procurement includes 10 Air-conditioned Economy Class (AEC) coaches which are expected to be awarded in 2004 and 6 units of 6-car sets Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) for which tender will be called by the Government.


As part of KTM Berhad's rolling stock upgrading works to replace its ageing rolling stock, forty (40) new high-powered 3200 h.p locomotives will be procured in stages and the first batch of General Electric (GE) locomotives is expected to arrive in September 2003. At present, KTM Berhad has received 195 Bogie Container Flat (BCF) wagons, 55 Bogie Refrigerated Flat (BRF) wagons and two Power-Generating Cars (PGC). The refurbishment of 10 Air-Conditioned Buffet Coaches (ABC) has also been completed. Other procurement includes 10 Air-Conditioned Economy Class (AEC) coaches and two units of 110 tonne cranes

Rail network map courtesy of KTM Berhad

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1) The High-Powered Blue Tiger Locomotive Procured From GE

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2) Interior View Of Completed Air-Conditioned Buffet Coaches ABC

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GE wins RM 245 million rail deal

General Electric has made a successful inroad into the railway sector in Malaysia for the first time with the with the contract for rail transportation systems worth RM245 million for KTM Bhd.



The contract calls for the supply 20 AC/AC mainline diesel electric “Blue Tiger” locomotives, services support and spare parts to the KTM Bhd by 2003.



The President of General Electric International Inc, Stuart L. Dean said the “Blue Tiger” family of locomotives will be built in partnership with Bombardier Transportation GmbH.



“The AC/AC technology locomotives with 25-30 years lifespan is an improved version from the present AC/DC locomotives currently operation in several Asian countries," he said.



Stuart said Malaysia will be the first Southeast Asian country to operate the GE's Blue Tiger locomotives with this state-of-the-art AC technology.



“These locomotives with 3,000hp will fulfill KTM Bhd requirements to pull heavier and longer freight trains in the light of the growing block train services and expanded rail line from North to South. KTM Bhd requires high powered locomotives like Blue Tiger as the on-going double track line will allow the railway operator to pull 60 laden containers or 80 MTs per train at one time from present pulling capacity of 40 laden boxes per train,” Stuart said.



Under the agreement with the government, General Electric Company, through its trading arm, GE Trading, will undertake a locomotive-for-palm oil product counter trade arrangement. GE Trading will purchase palm oil worth RM250 million over the next four years and will be marketed in the US market.



GE Transportation Systems is one of the world’s leading suppliers to the railroad, transit, and mining industries, providing freight and passenger locomotives, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, railway signaling and communications systems, valued added services, and information technology solution its customers. With a turn over in excess of RM7.6 billion, GE Transportation Systems is headquarters in Erie, PA, and employs approximately 8,000 employees worldwide.



GE as the world leader in the locomotive supplies sees huge potential with the emphasis placed by the Asean countries on the development of Trans Asian Railway from Singapore to Kunming in China.



GE has supplied more than 200 units of locomotives to Indonesia, 75 units in Thailand and another 50 units in Vietnam and Philippines

GE Transportation Systems (GETS) and Bombardier have complementary elements of expertise in the production of diesel-electric locomotives and locomotive components.These locomotives will have various horsepower ratings, and may use either AC or DC propulsion drive systems.

Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Brand new DE33AC "Blue Tiger" 26102 is seen at the Bombardier works in Kassel (Germany) in August 2003 undergoing final testing before being moved by road to Hamburg for shipment to Malaysia. Fitted with 12 cylinder FDL engine of 3200 hp.

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EEeeeee!!! American-designed trains are SO damned ugly!!! Especially compared to the Euro trains! But the Harimau Biru paintjob is beautiful (I mean the blue on silver, not the silver on blue)!

For me..the design is ok.....better than the current that KTM have.

But to imagine it in KTM livery....( whish is very dull colour).it will be worst;)

KTM should change their livery....more lively colour:D

Originally posted by Blabbyboy

EEeeeee!!! American-designed trains are SO damned ugly!!! Especially compared to the Euro trains! But the Harimau Biru paintjob is beautiful (I mean the blue on silver, not the silver on blue)!

i think european trains look cool, dunno about American tho

KTM powering on with new locomotives

PORT KLANG: KTM Berhad has taken delivery of five “Blue Tiger” locomotives from Germany that will double the capacity compared to the existing locomotives and reduce the time taken for a journey by a third.

Transport Minister Datuk Chan Kong Choy, who witnessed the delivery of the units at Westport here, said the new locomotives would enhance cargo handling facilities at Port Klang.

“The usage of the Blue Tiger DE-AC 33C locomotives by KTMB is a major milestone in the history of freight transport as it has a horse power of 3,300 compared to 1,500 while its speed is 120km/h, which is 20km/h faster than the existing locomotives,” Chan told a press conference after launching the first set of five locomotives manufactured by Germany's General Electric Transportation System (GETS) yesterday.

The new locomotives which arrived from Hamburg can take a load up to 2,500 tonnes of cargo placed in 30 wagons, making it the most powerful in the South-East Asian region.

The locomotives would be tested for a month before they are utilised to transport cargo such as cement and raw sugar.

Chan said the ministry purchased 20 such locomotives two years ago at a cost of RM244.91mil in barter trade for almost 195,000 tonnes of palm oil.

He said the remaining 15 locomotives would be delivered by the end of the year.

“We hope to change the entire fleet of 75 locomotives, including 30 units which were leased from Indian Railways with the Blue Tiger model by the year 2008,” added Chan.

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STEPPING OUT IN STYLE… Transport Minister Datuk Chan Kong Choy stepping out of the new DE-AC 33C Blue Tiger locomotive made for Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Berhad after unveiling it in Port Klang, Thursday. The first five out of 20 of the German-made locomotives were unloaded today at the wharf in Westport while the remaining 15 will be delivered in batches until the end of the year. The high-powered locomotives will be able to pull up to 30 wagons as compared to 16 by existing locomotives. [/IMG]

YIKES...the trains in KTM livery look gross!!!! you're rite....bout time for KTM to change her corporate colours!

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Originally posted by liping_t

YIKES...the trains in KTM livery look gross!!!! you're rite....bout time for KTM to change her corporate colours!

I seconded that! :D

Imagine KTM getting some high-speed train and still using that livery......ewww!

Not end of the road for rail works



National railway company KTM Bhd has submitted a plan to upgrade its infrastructure and system. The jobs could be worth billions and if approved, could bring glad tidings to the construction sector, writes DARSHINI M NATHAN and JOSE BARROCK



“IT ain't over till the fat lady sings...” so the saying goes. Whereas the market thought the construction sector was done for following the news last November that the RM14.5 billion electrified double tracking rail project would be postponed indefinitely, industry participants say this does not spell the end of railway infrastructure upgrading works.

It is believed that KTM Bhd has submitted a proposal to the Transport Ministry underlining several options that the Government can now consider to enhance the country's railway infrastructure and system now that the mammoth rail project has been deferred.

“The proposal highlights several options such as increasing the number of trains on the tracks or even the speed of trains. For this, certain stretches of the track will have to be strengthened or upgraded in order to cope,” a source says, adding that some stretches of the railway tracks are as old as 40 years.

The proposal values the entire upgrading works anywhere between RM3 billion and RM4 billion.

“The work will be carried out on a staggered basis over a period of 10 years. But because KTMB does not have the manpower to handle the entire project, a lot of the work would have to be sub-contracted,” the source says.

Indeed, upgrading of railway stations has been carried out in recent years, with most of the work nearly completed.





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KTMB is believed to have submitted a proposal to the Transport Ministry to enhance the country's railway infrastructure system.






Some RM15 million was allocated to improve passenger facilities such as installing platform sheds, extending platforms and rehabilitating buildings at certain stations throughout the entire network.

Although the Sabah State Railway does not come under the purview of KTMB, the latter has been entrusted with the responsibility of rehabilitating and upgrading the state's track infrastructure, rolling stock as well as signalling and communications systems.

Close to RM400 million has been approved for this project, the construction work of which is targeted to commence by the end of this year.

The poor visibility surrounding the construction sector following the Government's surprise announcement late last year has left analysts a lot less enamoured over construction stocks currently. “There is a lot less money to be spent in the sector now that the Government is determined to balance its budget by 2006,” a research head was quoted saying two months ago.

Over the week, a local research house highlighted in a research note that Barisan's victory in Terengganu bodes well for MTD Capital Bhd as there is a strong possibility that the concessionaire of the first phase of the East Coast Expressway project will finally get the nod from the Government to undertake the second phase as well.

It reckons that the problems of land acquisition, which had previously delayed the award of the project could easily be settled now that Barisan has reclaimed the state.

Indeed, a source close to the deal says that the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase is expected to take place soon.

According to the source, the Government is even mulling the idea of extending the second phase by another 70 km up to Besut, instead of the original plan of up to Chenering in Terengganu.

“In that case, MTD Capital stands to land a lot more than the earlier estimated contract value of RM1.5 billion as each km is charged RM7.5 million. The cost of raw materials has also increased so there is a chance that the contract will be re-negotiated,” the source says.

Work on the expressway's first phase, which began in 2000, is expected to be completed next April. Phase one, which connects Karak to Kuantan, is valued at RM1.3 billion.

But several analysts point out that it would be unlikely for the Government to splurge on projects.

“It is just a matter of time for phase two of the East Coast highway project to be awarded. Any award of the project shouldn't be taken as a signal that there will be more to come. The Government has stated its stand on the issue of large projects quite clearly,” says an observer.

As such, Avenue Securities research head Kenny Yee reckons that it would be inconsistent for the Government to change its pro-prudence policy after the elections as this will send out wrong messages to foreign funds.

A foreign research house argues that although the Government has committed to spend RM160 billion under the Eighth Malaysia Plan, priority will most likely be accorded to development projects that will have a direct impact on the quality of life.

“We suspect water, sewerage and rural road projects will be given higher priority by the government, while other types of projects will have to obtain their own financing,” it says in a report.

It reckons that government construction orders will be modest for some years to come, with the burden of the shortfall in public spending falling largely on the shoulders of the private sector.

i haven't try KTM b4...next time wanna use KTM from KL to Klang liao :D

Business Times - 20 Apr 2004

Delay seen in privatisation of KTM

(KUALA LUMPUR) THE long-awaited privatisation of railway operator KTM Bhd (KTMB) is unlikely to happen anytime soon, the Malaysian Business Times cited analysts and sources as saying. This is because privatisation is closely tied to the RM14.5 billion (S$6.4 billion) electrified double-tracking project, which has been put on hold by the government.

'Until the project proceeds, which may take several years to materialise, the privatisation of KTMB is unlikely to happen,' a source said.

KTMB officials declined to comment on the privatisation issue, while Ministry of Transport officials said the matter would have to be addressed by the Economic Planning Unit, the report said.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the Finance Minister, had said in December the Cabinet strongly felt priority should be given to other projects already committed to under the Eighth Malaysia Plan rather than the double-tracking project.

The double-tracking project, which would have involved the laying and electrification of 636km of tracks along the length of Peninsular Malaysia and been part of a 5,600km trans-Asia rail link, was awarded to a local consortium comprising Malaysia Mining Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd in October last year.

Other bidders, namely Indian Railway Construction Co (Ircon) and China Railway Engineering Corp (CREC), objected to the award. The project was initially promised to Ircon and CREC under a government-to-government initiative, which included a barter deal to raise exports of palm oil to India and China.

I really want the double tracking to set off soon! Much smoother journey for sure.

From The Strait Times

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/story/0,4386,253456,00.html

Trains lose $900 a day to stone throwers

JOHOR BARU - Malaysia's national train service loses RM2,000 (S$900) on average a day because of vandals stoning trains.

And officials fear cases of injuries could rise and damage could worsen during the two-week school holidays.
Advertisement


Schools will close from Monday, and national railway company Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) was worried because it had received more reports of such cases during holidays.

KTMB general manager Sarbini Tijan told reporters here that the company recorded 87 cases last year. Since January, it had recorded 21 cases.

The stoning of passing trains had become a perennial problem for KTMB.

Bored youths in rural areas had made a sport of pelting trains, but it was difficult for officials to catch them.

In the past, many passengers had been hurt when the stones cracked the glass windows on the train.

Mr Sarbini cited two recent cases where a Japanese and a European tourist were injured.

He was speaking after the launch of the Good Neighbour and Safety Programme here on Thursday.

The roadshow sought to create awareness of the dangers of stone-pelting and to help curb the practice.

Officials also hoped to highlight the dangers of crossing railway tracks, especially to the villagers.

Mr Sarbini said: 'KTMB has identified the Kulai-Johor Baru stretch as one of the most accident-prone.'

He said 51 people hit by trains died last year and 23 others were injured. -- New Straits Times

They should have planned for a bullet train network along the west coast from Penang to JB.I know it's expensive but we can do it gradually section by section.Look at Taiwan and Korea they've manage to pull such projects.

They should have planned for a bullet train network along the west coast from Penang to JB.I know it's expensive but we can do it gradually section by section.Look at Taiwan and Korea they've manage to pull such projects.

well, there was a plan for a meglev train from Singapore to China right?? i think it was cancelled (am i right??) :bash:

well, there was a plan for a meglev train from Singapore to China right?? i think it was cancelled (am i right??) :bash:

Maglev?I don't think any country will be able to afford those trains for connecting cities which are hundreds/thousands km apart.Why well you see maglevs are special in the sense that the main motor isn't built in the train itself but of the tracks.So it's not the wheels that move the train but the tracks that pull it along so that the train moves.Each maglev train cost around USD$1billion.So imagine lar,how many many trains can a country afford?The Shanghai Airport link if I am not mistaken has less than 5 trains at their disposal.This does not include the tracks yet.

Maglev?I don't think any country will be able to afford those trains for connecting cities which are hundreds/thousands km apart.Why well you see maglevs are special in the sense that the main motor isn't built in the train itself but of the tracks.So it's not the wheels that move the train but the tracks that pull it along so that the train moves.Each maglev train cost around USD$1billion.So imagine lar,how many many trains can a country afford?The Shanghai Airport link if I am not mistaken has less than 5 trains at their disposal.This does not include the tracks yet.

i remembered there was this maglev plan but i can't remember precisely about the project. maybe other forumers can help

if i'm not mistaken, shanghai has the world's only operating meglev?

They should have planned for a bullet train network along the west coast from Penang to JB.I know it's expensive but we can do it gradually section by section.Look at Taiwan and Korea they've manage to pull such projects.

Ifi I recall, the reason behind not having bullet trains is the tracks have to be regauged (correct spelling?). On the other hand, I remember KTM wanting to purchase high speed tilting trains from France some time ago.

i remembered there was this maglev plan but i can't remember precisely about the project. maybe other forumers can help

if i'm not mistaken, shanghai has the world's only operating meglev?


Besides its astronomical price, maglev technology has not yet been perfected.

In Shanghai, weight of passengers and luggages have to be measured and distributed evenly. Weight distribution to achieve perfect balance is imperative to keep the train float and move smoothly.

It is very troublesome. For the time being, I would still prefer the conventional 300 kph high speed train.

Ifi I recall, the reason behind not having bullet trains is the tracks have to be regauged (correct spelling?). On the other hand, I remember KTM wanting to purchase high speed tilting trains from France some time ago.

Currently KTM uses metre gauge. All high speed trains in the world use standard gauge (wider gauge).

If KTM wants to adopt the similar technology then it has to built a dedicated high speed track with really large turning radius, which is not really possible in Malaysia without going through some of the mountains and hills.

That's why KTM opted for tilting trains. Obviously, tilting trains could not go as fast as TGV.

There's only two viable options for tilting train for Malaysia.Pendolino ones from Italy or those from Hitachi.
But I mean if we look at South Korea and Taiwan they have more mountains then we do yet they are able to build HSRs.

I've never been on E&O..any pics?

KTMB on track for RM1.5mil from E&O

By Pang Hong Yee

KTM Bhd (KTMB) expects to derive RM1.5mil from acting as the ticketing agent for Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Express, South-East Asia's only luxury train, this year, KTMB managing director Mohd Salleh Abdullah.

The E&O Express made history when it began transporting passengers direct from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok in 1993.

The ?colonial age? train currently operates the year round, three days/two nights journey between Singapore and Bangkok.

Salleh told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday after the formal appointment of KTMB as the ticketing agent for E&O Express in Malaysia from Aug 8 by E&O Services (S) Ltd that revenue from the lease of track dropped, as a result of SARS, to about RM900,000 last year, a far cry from a peak of about RM2.2mil in 2002.

The train carries a maximum 132 passengers in a single trip from Singapore to Bangkok, covering 2,030km.

Under the accord, KTMB will get an 8% commission on ticket sales. Tickets are priced in US dollars.

?We are expecting ticket sales of about RM100,000 in the first year,? Salleh said.

However, he said KTMB's main aim in agreeing to the collaboration was to spur tourist spending between the stops and off-train excursions to remote areas to boost the domestic economy as well as encourage tourists attracted to traditional Malaysian culture and scenic landscape to make return visits.

?There are possibilities of extending the services to the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia including Gemas, Tumpat and Taman Negara if business is encouraging in the future,? Salleh said.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/7/30/business/b_pg10salleh.JPG Mohd Salleh Abdullah and E&O Services general manager Leesa Lovelace onboard the luxury E&O Express

KTMB signed a 30-year haulage contract with E&O in 1991, which gave the former an average haulage earnings of RM2mil in the years prior to the SARS outbreak in 2003.

E&O Services general manager Leesa Lovelace said that the targeted customers for the train service were colonial era nostalgic European, American, Japanese and German travellers.

Eastern & Oriental Express.
http://www.keretapi.com/eo.html

KTMB expects 10% in intercity service revenue

KTM Bhd (KTMB) expects a 10% increase to RM67mil in its intercity service revenue this year, its intercity services general manager, Azman Ahmad Shaharbi, said.

For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2003, KTMB recorded RM61mil in revenue for intercity service.

“We also expect the number of passengers to increase by 13% to 3.8 million passengers from 3.36 million last year,” Azman told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after the official launch of KTMB's first-class lounge for intercity travellers.

For the first six months of 2004, KTMB recorded 1.8 million passengers.

“With 20 various first-class coaches, we target our first-class passengers to increase to 84,000 this year compared with 64,730 last year and subsequently we expect revenue from this segment to reach RM5.8mil compared with RM4.37mil previously,” he said.

Intercity or passenger service contributes 25% to KTMB's revenue, freight service 45%,commuter service 25% and property and advertising the balance 5%
Meanwhile, KTMB general manager Salleh Abdullah said KTMB had several upcoming projects in the pipeline.

“By May next year, KTMB will add 11 new economy class coaches, which cost RM2mil each, to our intercity service. This is the first ever coaches that will be fully assembled in Malaysia with almost 60% local parts.

“We also expect to call for tender for electric train set service, a rapid train service connecting Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh in two hours 15 minutes, by the end of this month. The service is expected to commence commercially by 2007,” he said.

Salleh said after Kuala Lumpur and Tanjung Pagar, Singapore, KTMB would open another first-class lounge facility in Butterworth and its platform in KL Sentral would be equipped with a motorised buggy by the year-end. – Bernama

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Strongman V. Rathakrishnan pulling a 260.8-tonne KTM Komuter train for several
metres to enter his name in the record books in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.


‘Raja Gigi’ breaks 40-year world record


KUALA LUMPUR: Strongman V. Rathakrishnan, better known as Raja Gigi (Tooth King) , completed a successful attempt at a new world record when he pulled a KTM Komuter train comprising six coaches and weighing 260.8 tonnes for a distance of 4.2m using his teeth and jaws yesterday.

The feat has been certified by the Malaysia Book of Records and will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records soon for certification as a world record.

Rathakrishnan, 37, said he pulled the coaches a metre more than what he had set out to do (3.2m), and said the extra metre was motivated by the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who witnessed the event at the KTM Berhad (KTMB) station here yesterday.
“I looked at the PM’s (Dr Mahathir) face a few times before I started pulling the coaches,”
“I focused my mind on pulling the train after looking at Dr Mahathir’s face and it didn’t seem a great effort to me when the coaches started inching away as I pulled the rope that was attached to the front Komuter car,”

Also present were the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Rathakrishnan dedicated his feat to Dr Mahathir, whom he said had inspired Malaysians to inculcate the Malaysia Boleh spirit.

“My advice to Malaysians is never say I don’t want to and I cannot,” said Rathakrishnan, who had been training for 15 months with KTMB to break the world record set by a Belgian, Walter Arfeuille, whose record stands at 200.8 tonnes over 3m in the late 1960s.

The event was organised by YZ Alliance Group and sponsored by KTMB and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
Rathakrishnan, who was presented the certificate by Dr Mahathir, said he promised the Prime Minister that he would attempt to break or set five other world records after this.
The former personal bodyguard left his job to train for this feat.

He regularly does jaw exercises, yoga, gym workouts, jogging and long-distance brisk walking and also attributes his fitness to a diet which comprises 90% vegetarian dishes.
He also abstains from hot and spicy food and cold drinks.

Previously he had also pulled a KTMB coach weighing 37.35 tonnes for a distance of 8.37m in Klang in 2001, lifted weights of 130kg from the floor using his teeth (also in 2001) and pulled a 10.8 tonne bus at the Tampin Train station about 10 years ago.

“Next I probably want to use my teeth to keep a flying helicopter from pulling off the ground,” said Rathakrishnan, who is still single.

YZ Alliance deputy group chief executive chairman Mohd Zamri Mohammad said Rathakrishnan had also been invited to London to attempt similar feats.

Datuk Danny Ooi, chief executive officer of Malaysia Book of Records said Rathakrishnan’s world record would be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for certification along with over 20 record breaking feats by Malaysians.

Shuttle Service Singapore - Johor Bahru To Commence October 11, 2004


KTM Berhad is pleased to announce that the shuttle service between Singapore Station at Tanjung Pagar and Johor Bahru will commence on October 11, 2004.


Two daily services will be introduced at this initial stage in order to provide alternative commuting transport between the two cities.


The services will run from Monday to Friday. The number of services will be increased later if demand increases.


Shuttle 65DN will leave Johor Bahru at 6am and is expected to arrive Singapore at 6.55am while Shuttle 68UP will leave Singapore at 7pm and will arrive in Johor Bahru at 7.55pm.


Tickets can be purchased at departing stations. Season pass is available, but advance booking does not apply for this service.


For further info please contact our Call Centre at 03-22671200.


Issued by Corporate Communications,
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad

Date October 06, 2004

KTM To Invest US$58 Million In New Locomotives


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Keretapai Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTM) is investing US$58 million to acquire 20 longer, heavier and speedier locomotives from China.

The move will lower cost of operations and improved its efficiency, said KTM's general manager, Abd Radzak Abd Malek.

"The locomotives would add up to KTM's 20 newly acquired made-in-Germany GE locomotives called Blue Tigers which have similar strength and attributes," Abd Radzak said after a seminar on "Multimodalism in Southeast Asia" at the National Multimodal Transport Conference 2004 .

The additional 20 new generation locomotives which have the power to hold 20 tonnes axle load with the maximum speed of 120 km/hr will be acquired within the next two years.

"These high-tech locomotives from China and Germany have the potential to hold twice the weight of KTM's current fleet of trains with greater speed ," Abd Radzak said.

Abd Radzak said currently the new generation locomotives which required special railway track to operate had started operations within Port Klang, Johor Bahru and Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).

"In running longer and heavier hauled trains there has been cost reduction in operations and this has helped improve the profit margin for 2004," he said.

To enhance KTM operations further, Abd Radzak emphasised that KTM would also need to look at re-engineering its trains to meet the standards of the shipping industry.

He said the virtual port concept would be one aspect that KTM needed to pay attention in its attempt to move along with the industry.

"Malaysia is studying the possibility of becoming a virtual port hub to streamline trade among the economies in the region for trade activities such as trade finance, customs documentation and others through the Virtual Reality Centre that will be made available to us through the MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor)," he said.

Abd Radzak in his seminar paper has also expressed KTM's vision and future aspiration.

"We aim to create interconnectivity and thereby a regional transport system enabling economic development in Asean countries," he said.

The Singapore Kunming Rail Link (SKRL) has been recognised as the important regional transport system in the regional trade link between both Asean countries and China.

Malaysia contribution to the SKRL is the proposed development of the double tracking from Johor Baharu to Padang Besar.

The connection between Seremban and Rawang has been completed in 1995 while the network between Rawang and Ipoh is anticipated to be completed by 2006.

-- BERNAMA

I must say living near train stations isn't good. When they're changing track it gets rather noisy....

KTMB to benefit from Asean rail link

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) expects landbridge services to rise this and in subsequent years due to the integration of the Asean rail link stretching from Singapore to Kunming in China.

“The integration of the Asean rail link will benefit freight services by rail as it is cheaper, efficient and regular. Our strategy is to develop along this area,” said KTMB chairman Tan Sri Datuk Thong Yaw Hong after a signing ceremony of a RM100 million five-year charter deal between KTMB and Freight Management (M) Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 7.

Under the agreement, KTMB will provide wagons and locomotives to Freight Management to facilitate cargo shipment by rail from Port Klang to Bangkok, Thailand. Of the RM100 million, about RM65 million will accrue to KTMB for its services.

The deal is based on the containerised rail cargo service operated between Malaysia and Thailand by KTMB and the State Railway of Thailand. Freight Management is en route to a listing on the Second Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

Landbridge services are a major contributor to KTMB’s freight revenue. Last year, landbridge services recorded a revenue of RM33.4 million, which accounted for 39% of KTMB’s total freight revenue of RM99.2 million.

Landbridge services mean cargo containers are loaded at a port and shipped across the country by rail to a foreign land. In 2002, revenue from landbridge services rose to RM29.5 million from RM23.5 million in 2001.

The planned Asean rail ink will materialise when Cambodia begins construction of a 48km rail line from Poipet to Sisophon, which is expected to be completed by next year.

When completed, it would link Phnom Penh to the Cambodian-Thai border for the first time by rail. KTMB is currently sharing its rail expertise and technical know-how with the Cambodian government.

The Asean rail link project aims to build a railway that runs through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and thereafter to Kunming, China. The portion from Singapore to Thailand has existed for years as has the stretch from Vietnam to Kunming. The 48-km missing link would bring Cambodia closer to joining the two segments.

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:eek::eek: i was thinking it was somewhere in Europe!!

Train driver gets RM13,000 for unfair dismissal
Monday February 7, 2005




BY CHELSEA L.Y. NG

KUALA LUMPUR: A KTM train driver whose negligence caused a fatal collision between two locomotives in Bidor, Perak, 10 years ago, is due to receive over RM13,000 for unfair dismissal.

Industrial Court chairman Soo Ai Lin awarded the backwages and compensation in lieu of reinstatement to Sateman Pawit as she found that Keretapi Tanah Melayu had unfairly dismissed him in 1996.

She held that although four people were responsible for the accident, only Sateman and the station manager were dismissed while the two traffic controllers were merely demoted.

The accident killed the driver of the other train and the assistant driver lost a leg. “The unequal and unfair treatment meted out to the claimant renders his dismissal to be without just cause or excuse,” Soo said.

The court, however, deducted 70% from the total amount of RM46,332 because of it held Sateman responsible for the accident, bringing the amount due to him to RM13,899.60.

The 11.15pm accident on Oct 29, 1995 was between the southbound freight train (No. 419) driven by Sateman and the northbound Langkawi Express passenger train (No. 8).

The passenger train collided into the rear of the goods train and even brought down an overhead bridge at the sixth kilometre of the Jalan Bidor-Teluk Intan, resulting in extensive damage to the passenger train and the death and injury of its driver and assistant driver respectively.

The widely reported incident was said to have occurred during a heavy downpour.

After the mishap, KTM conducted a domestic inquiry and found the four men guilty of negligence or contributory negligence.

The claimant was found to be the “primary cause” for the accident in that as the driver of the stationary goods train, he did not ensure that the train stood clear of the fouling marks and free from obstructing the main line when it stopped at the Bidor station.

Sateman was not satisfied with the punishment and so he took his case to the Industrial Court.

He claimed that the station manager should have been held fully responsible because as a driver he was subject to the manager’s instructions and directions.

He said as the train could not be fully accommodated into the loop line and its rear end had exceeded the rear fouling mark of the loop, he had waited about half an hour for further instructions from the manager.

He said the manager did not give any instruction, when he could have either instructed him to have a portion of the train detached and parked on the siding line or asked him to reverse the whole train to the outer signal in the direction of Tapah Road or to simply abort the crossing and proceed to Sungkai.

The court, however, found that his explanation for not doing anything except sitting in the driver’s seat to wait for instructions was “totally unacceptable.”

“Because he had failed to inform the station manager of the protrusion into the main line, the fact remains that the rear of the train was parked beyond the rear fouling mark of the loop.

“It was his duty to ensure when the train was parked well clear of any fouling marks.

“This court finds the claimant guilty of negligence and responsible for the accident,” said the court chairman.

Increased KTM Komuter Frequency For F1 And Sale Of Special Packaged Ticket




KTM Berhad is pleased to announce that the KTM Komuter frequency will be increased to every 15 minutes beginning March 12 to 20, 2005 to accommodate heavy passenger traffic during the school holidays and especially during the Formula 1 weekend from March 18 to 20, 2005.

The increased frequency will apply for both the Rawang – Seremban and Sentul – Pelabuhan Klang routes on the dates mentioned, except for Sunday March 13, 2005.**

KTM Berhad will also introduce packaged travel tickets for Formula 1 fans who wish to avoid heavy traffic congestion at the Sepang International Circuit during the three-day event.

The packaged travel ticket comprises of return KTM Komuter tickets and return coach transfer tickets. Coach transfer tickets cost RM4 return, while rates for the KTM Komuter ticket are subject to the distance from origin station to Nilai Station.

These tickets will be on sale beginning March 8, 2005 at these stations: Rawang, Sungai Buloh, Kepong, Putra, Bank Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Sentral Kuala Lumpur, MidValley, Bandar Tasik Selatan, Serdang, Kajang, UKM, Seremban, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang.

KTM Berhad would like to advise all Formula 1 fans taking the KTM Komuter to the Sepang International Circuit to please observe all safety regulations and follow the instructions issued by officers present.

For further information, please contact our Call Centre at 03-22671200 or the nearest KTM Komuter station.

KTM to invest in rail link in Cambodia


By IAN MCINTYRE in Perlis


KTM Bhd will invest RM40mil in a 48km rail link in Cambodia as part of its commitment to the Trans Asia Singapore-Kunming (China) railroad project.

General manager (cargo services) Abdul Radzak Abdul Malek said the national railway concessionaire had sent experts to the Cambodian provinces of Poipet and Sisiphon to conduct a fast-track study on the construction of railway lines there.

“The original rail lines are still intact but several homes have since been built on the site so additional studies are required,” he said after the official opening of an endurance bicycle race organised by the company at Kampung Kolam in Padang Besar, Perlis.

Radzak said upon the completion of the study, all equipment purchased for the double carriage tracking Rawang-Ipoh rail project, which had been postponed by the Government, would be diverted to the Cambodian site.

“KTM is ready to invest as the Cambodian Government is unable to bear the project’s costs. Therefore, we will come in,” he said.

Radzak described the link in Cambodia as “crucial and strategic'' in ensuring that the 3,000km Trans Asia rail was completed.

He said KTM was confident of the project’s success as Asean leaders had made it a priority in enhancing trade and transportation links between the region and China’s interior.

He also said KTM would be upgrading the rail link between Padang Besar (Perlis) to Butterworth (Penang) to accommodate locomotives weighing 20 tonnes.

This will facilitate cargo movement and logistics services from Padang Besar, unlike currently, where only 16-tonne locomotives are used on the tracks.

The KTM cargo and services depots in Padang Besar manage cargo worth RM24mil a year besides an average of 120,000 train passengers a month.

Very interesting.....

Theorectically, you can travel by rail (changing trains, of course) from Scotland or even Norway to Singapore....

^ Very tiresome too..more than 2 weeks holiday needed :D

KTMB Seeks RM350 Mln To Replace, Restore Bridges Under 9MP
June 02, 2005 17:57 PM



KULAI, June 2 (Bernama) -- KTM Berhad has asked the government to sanction RM350 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to restore and replace old bridges and to carry out flood mitigation projects along the railway line.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the remedial work were inevitable to ensure smooth rail services and passengers' safety.

He said KTM Berhad planned to build 88 rail bridges and restore 174 existing ones during the ninth plan period from 2006 to 2010.

"I'm confident the government will approve the funds to enable the work to be carried out," he told reporters after inspecting the rail bridge at Km724.25 between Kulai and Layang-Layang, near Kluang, which collapsed on May 23 due to strong river currents.

Collapse of the bridge, built in 1909, disrupted intercity train services to the south.

The services resumed on Friday after a temporary bridge was built.

Chan said KTM Berhad would call for tender soon to replace the collapsed bridge.

The new bridge, estimated to cost RM7 million, is expected to be completed in nine months, he added.

-- BERNAMA

Rise in KTM's freight revenue seen
Updated : 10-08-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur



KTM Bhd might see revenue for its freight unit grow by as much as 10 per cent for the current financial year ending Dec 31 2005, said its general manager (freight unit) Abd Radzak Abd Malek.

¡§For the current financial year, revenue may hit RM120 million. For the first seven months of the year, we have achieved about RM63 million in revenue,¡¨ Abd Radzak told Mail Money.

Last year, the freight unit of the national railway company registered a turnover of RM107.8 million, handling 4.78 million tonnes of cargo and 302,735 of 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of standard container boxes.

This year, the freight division is poised to handle 5.86 million tonnes of cargo and 368,000 containers.

Meanwhile, Abd Radzak also said that if double tracking works on the North- South railway line is fully implemented, KTM expects cargo capacity to increase five-fold.

¡§The current tracks account for only four per cent to five per cent of the country¡¦s domestic cargo movement. Upon full implementation of the double tracking project, we are projecting a rise, said Abd Radzak.

¡§Goods carried via rail should improve because the new tracks will be able to carry up to 80 tonnes gross as compared to 60 tonnes gross currently.

¡§Our engineering and logistic unit is working round- the-clock to increase the capacity of our current wagons. We are looking at the possibility of reducing the tareweight of the wagons in order to increase the pay load capacity by at least 15 per cent, he said.

KTM operates a fleet of 115 locomotives of which the majority are the Blue Tiger locomotives. Another 20 new locomotives will arrive within the next six to eight months, Mail Money was told.

KTM Launches Fourth Intercity Travel Quiz
July 08, 2005 21:13 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Berhad Friday launched another rail quiz to attract more people to use its intercity services.

The fourth quiz in the series, entitled "Padankan Tren dan Stesen Anda" (Match Your Train and Station), was launched by its Intercity Services General Manager Azman Ahmad Shaharbi, who also gave away prizes to the winner of the third quiz.

The fourth quiz, conducted over between July 4 and Aug 18, is open to all KTM intercity passengers.

All entries are required to be attached with proof of purchase of a KTM ticket of at least RM30 value.

The third series of the quiz, held between April 5 and May 25 which involved a crossword puzzle, was won by Ooi Hock Aun, 65.

He received a four-day three-night holiday package to Kota Kinabalu for four people.

-- BERNAMA

KTMB, CELCOM AND NTI LAUNCH MY INFO TRAIN





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Kuala Lumpur, June 2, 2005 – KTM Berhad today, in a smart collaboration with Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad and New Technology & Innovation Sdn Bhd (NTI), launched My Info Train, the first Short Messaging System (SMS) based Mobile Ticket (M-Ticket) service offered for ground transportation aimed at giving more value added services to KTM Intercity passengers.

The new service was launched by the Intercity Services General Manager En. Azman Ahmad Shaharbi, Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad Vice President Marketing, Customer Management Group En. Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, NTI Executive Director En. Shabudin Bin Md. Saman at Sentral Kuala Lumpur Station here.

The service, which is available for all Celcom, Maxis and Digi customers, allows them to reserve and cancel Intercity tickets as well as enjoy a variety of other entertainment and information-based services. They include:

Ticket booking for Intercity trains
Cancellation of booking
Fares & timetable
Ticket delivery

"Not only is this service convenient, it also provides commuters hours of fun. Traveling will no longer be a dull experience. With My Info Train, travelers can fill the hours playing Java games, chatting and even find out the latest news," said En. Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin.

"We would like to invite more companies to collaborate with us and utilise KTM Berhad as a profitable platform for customers’ loyalty programmes such as this," said En. Azman Ahmad Shaharbi.

"This timely collaboration is a manifestation of our efforts to continuously offer value added services to passengers and subscribers. My Info Train is a programme that will enhance the passengers’ traveling experience and make them happy by providing them a companion throughout their long hours journey to reach their respective destinations," En. Zalman Aefendy added.




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"My Info Train interactive mobile services are the first of their kind in the ground-transport industry in Malaysia. We planned it initially just as a way for our customers to occupy their idle traveling time, but soon realized the actual potential for such services, if we evolved them in a full blown interactive mobile portal, " En. Azman added.

"This is a very exciting time to be in the business of mobile services as their popularity is growing by the day with consumers becoming more aware of the endless applications for mobile phones, beyond just voice calls and peer-to-peer SMS sending", said En. Shabuddin Md. Saman

En. Shabudin further said that planning is underway for these services to be m-Commerce enabled in the future to allow passengers to make the payment via SMS", added En Shabudin.

How to use My Info Train (http://www.imood.com.my/myinfotrain/)

First Class Lounge for KTM Intercity Passengers


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Pictures by KonstantineChoo of ktmrailwayfan.com

KTM Intercity passengers travelling on First Class can now rest and refresh themselves in the brand new First Class Lounge introduced at Sentral Kuala Lumpur and Singapore Stations.

Passengers can enter the Lounge ONE HOUR before time of departure and must vacate the Lounge NOT LATER than 15 minutes before time of departure.



First Class Lounge - (Sentral Kuala Lumpur)

You are hereby invited to rest at our First Class Lounge while awaiting for departure of the train at 3rd Floor, Sentral Kuala Lumpur Station (beside the Food Court)

Attention:

1) Passengers are allowed to enter the First Class Lounge, 1 hour before departure.

2) All passengers are required to vacate the First Class Lounge not later than 15 minutes before departure of the train.




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Tuan/Puan adalah dijemput untuk beristirehat sementara menunggu tren berlepas di Bilik Rehat Kelas 1 kami, di Aras 3, Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur (bersebelahan Medan Selera)


First Class Lounge (Singapore)

You are hereby invited to rest at our First Class Lounge while awaiting for departure of the train at Main Lobby, Tg. Pagar Station (beside Station Master's Office)

Attention:

1) Passengers are allowed to enter the First Class Lounge, 1 hour before departure.

2) All passengers are required to vacate the First Class Lounge not later than 15 minutes before departure of the train.




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Tuan/Puan adalah dijemput untuk beristirehat sementara menunggu tren berlepas di Bilik Rehat Kelas 1 kami, di Lobi Utama, Stesen Tg. Pagar (bersebelahan Pejabat Ketua Stesen)

KTM to get more powerful trains
Updated : 01-08-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur




KTM Bhd, the national railway company, plans to acquire more high-powered locomotives in the near future to reduce the number of trains leased from foreign firms such as Indian Railway Construction Corp, Government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said yesterday.

KTM operates a fleet of 115 locomotives, with at least 30 locomotives, on short term lease basis from the Indian railway company.

Mail Money was told each locomotive has a two to three year lease term and can be extended upon maturity, depending on the national railway companyกฆs requirements.

"The number of leased trains will decrease gradually as and when new locomotives are purchased," said the official. "It could take five years or more."

Last year, KTM took hold of 20 high-powered Blue Tiger diesel-electric locomotives, which it bought for RM245 million from General Electric International (GE).

Another 20 high-powered locomotives, which were acquired for RM245 million from China Railway Engineering Corp (CREC) are scheduled to arrive in batches by year end.

"The locomotives are compatible with the existing tracks and not just meant for the Rawang-Ipoh double track," said the official.

"The 20 locomotives from GE are already carrying cargo from Penang to Johor Baru daily. The locomotives from CREC will also be used for the same purpose."

The Blue Tiger locomotives with additional capacity and more powerful traction is able to pull 80 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) as opposed to only 40 TEUs with the existing locomotives.

The official said more locomotives will run frequently when the Rawang-Ipoh double tracking project is completed by the end of 2007.

The existing track only has 16 slots for Blue Tiger trains to run, pulling 2,300 tonnes trailing capacity daily, while the new tracks will have a capacity of 100 over slots for all locomotives to run on the section, with each train pulling an average of 60 TEUs to 80 TEUS.

Rise in KTM's freight revenue seen
Updated : 10-08-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur




KTM Bhd might see revenue for its freight unit grow by as much as 10 per cent for the current financial year ending Dec 31 2005, said its general manager (freight unit) Abd Radzak Abd Malek.

For the current financial year, revenue may hit RM120 million. For the first seven months of the year, we have achieved about RM63 million in revenue,Abd Radzak told Mail Money.

Last year, the freight unit of the national railway company registered a turnover of RM107.8 million, handling 4.78 million tonnes of cargo and 302,735 of 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of standard container boxes.

This year, the freight division is poised to handle 5.86 million tonnes of cargo and 368,000 containers.

Meanwhile, Abd Radzak also said that if double tracking works on the North- South railway line is fully implemented, KTM expects cargo capacity to increase five-fold.

The current tracks account for only four per cent to five per cent of the country¡¦s domestic cargo movement. Upon full implementation of the double tracking project, we are projecting a rise, said Abd Radzak.

Goods carried via rail should improve because the new tracks will be able to carry up to 80 tonnes gross as compared to 60 tonnes gross currently.

Our engineering and logistic unit is working round- the-clock to increase the capacity of our current wagons. We are looking at the possibility of reducing the tareweight of the wagons in order to increase the pay load capacity by at least 15 per cent, he said.

KTM operates a fleet of 115 locomotives of which the majority are the Blue Tiger locomotives. Another 20 new locomotives will arrive within the next six to eight months, Mail Money was told.

i really wonder when will there be a high speed train from Melaka to KL,Singapore or Penang!

KTM plans three new freight terminals
Updated : 16-08-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur




KTM Bhdกฆs freight unit plans to submit a proposal to the management of the national railway company to approve a plan to build as many as three new terminals for as much as RM400 million, people familiar with the matter said yesterday.

Mail Money was told that the cost of constructing a terminal would be in range of between RM100 million and RM150 million.

The freight unit will propose that either Government-owned KTM finance the construction of the terminals using its own funds, or enter into joint ventures with private parties to help build and manage the terminals.

It is firmly believed that the freight unit is pushing for the setting up of new terminals to increase its share of transporting cement within the country.

Company executives who didnกฆt want to be named said that KTM controls about 50 per cent of the market, but it is unable to increase itกฆs market share because its running at full steam.

It is firmly believed that the freight unit is proposing to have the new terminals near areas which have a heavy presence on cement factories.

The freight unit is likely to propose that the new terminals be set up in Kempas, Johor, as well as in Krai and Mentakab in Pahang.

Currently KTM, the national railway company, has 11 terminals which handle the transportation of cement.

The 11 terminals are located in Padang Besar, Prai, Butterworth, Ipoh, Nilai Land Port, Segamat, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port, Singapore Tanjung Pagar, Westport and Northport.

Road Builder eyes Sabah rail rehab job
Updated : 18-08-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur




ROAD Builder (M) Holdings Bhd, the countryกฆs fourth largest construction company, is believed to be eyeing a stake in Sabahกฆs RM324 million railway rehabilitation project, people familiar with the matter said yesterday.

Mail Money was told that Road Builder is considering two options on how to pursue its intention.

The first option is to buy a stake in the project, while the second option is to buy a stake in Hikmat Asia Sdn Bhd.

Hikmat Asia, a privately held company controlled by Tan Sri Ahmad Kamil M. Jaafar, has a 60 per cent stake in the consortium which has the letter of award for the job.

The remaining 40 per cent in the project is held by Suria Capital Holdings Bhd, a public listed company majority controlled by the Sabah State Government.

As part of the deal, Road Builder, which in February said that itกฆs developing a pellet plant with Australiaกฆs Grange Resources Ltd in Terengganu, will provide financial support as well as infrastructure technology for the project.

Meanwhile, Mail Money also understands that the Government has dispersed between RM10 million and RM20 million to help kick start the job.

The job proper however, hasnกฆt taken place because the sub contractor list and the subcontracting cost hasnกฆt been finalised.

The rail project mooted by the Federal Government's unit, the Sabah State Railway Services Department (SSR), involves the upgrading of existing rail that is in deteriorating condition, and decreasing the travelling time from Tanjung Aru to Tenom.

KTM Bhd, the national railway company, is expected to be asked to act as lead manager for the project.

500 new wagons for KTM freight unit
Updated : 19-08-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur




KTM Bhd freight unit has made a proposal to the national railway companyกฆs management to purchase as many as 500 new wagons, said the unitกฆs general manager Abd Radzak Abd Malek.

We require more wagons as demand for our freight services are growing,กจ said Abd Radzak in an interview with Mail Money. I can't say how much it will cost, but the 4,500 wagons that we have now are not sufficient.กจ

Industry players estimate that it might cost the national railway company as much as RM100 million to purchase the wagons.

Abd Radzak said that he made the proposal because the freight unit is only handling about 50 per cent of the business, due to a lack of capacity.

We just donกฆt have the volume to expand. The business is there for the taking, he said.

Abd Radzak also said that the landbridge services, which accounts for as much as 40 per cent of KTMกฆs freight revenue, should perform better this year.

There are currently 30 weekly landbridge services between Malaysia and Thailand. We are exploring the possibility of increasing the frequency next year, he said.

For the current financial year ending Dec 31, 2005, KTM freight division has set a target to achieve revenue of RM120 million.

On an annualised basis, for the first seven months of 2005, KTM freight unit achieved a turnover of RM63 million.

For the 12 months of 2004, the freight division posted a turnover of RM107.8 million.

The expected rise in revenue is backed by an optimism that the freight division will handle 5.86 million tonnes of cargo this year, up 22.6 per cent from last yearก 4.78 million tonnes, while container throughput is forecast to increase to 368,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) from 302,735 TEUs before.

KTMB Expects To Handle 10,000 TEUs Monthly In 2006
Updated : 01-07-2005
Media : Bernama




Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) expects the handling of container transportation between Padang Besar and Pulau Pinang port to increase to 10,000 TEUs (20 ft equivalent units) monthly from next year compared with 8,000 TEUs handled monthly this year.

The general manager of KTMB's Strategic Business Unit for Goods Transportation, Abd Radzak Abd Malek, said that the projection was based on the annual growth of six to seven percent in the use of the rail services for the transportation of goods.

He said the commercial sector's confidence in the safety and convenience of the services had resulted in a growing preference for the rail transportation services.

"We are capable of providing the best and would continue to upgrade our capacities," Abd Radzak told reporters during a ceremony here Friday to declare the Arau railway station here as the "foster child" of the KTMB Officers Association here.

He said that among the measures taken to increase operational efficiency would be to increase its locomotive capacity.

Currently, each locomotive is capable of taking on 1,200 metric tonnes and this would be increased by adding on more frequencies in the transportation schedule, he said.

Abd Radzak said that KTMB would be also expanding its tracks in four stations located between Padang Besar and Pulau Pinang port to facilitate the transportation of more goods.

The stations are namely Penanti (Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang), Sungai Petani and Jenun (Kedah) and Bukit Ketri (Perlis).

Chinese firm on track for Sabah rail job
Updated : 29-06-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : FRANCIS FERNANDEZ




SURIA Capital Bhd, a unit partly controlled by the Sabah State Government, plans to appoint China Railway Engineering Corp (CREC) as lead subcontractor for a RM324 million railway rehabilitation job in Sabah, people familiar with the matter said yesterday.

CREC, a unit controlled by the Chinese Government, alongside Leighton Holdings Ltd, Australia's largest construction and engineering company, had submitted rival proposals in December to Suria Capital.

The presentations included quotations for rail equipment as well as for track works. The proposed job on offer is the rehabilitation of the ageing rail network linking Tanjung Aru and Tenom.

Suria Capital has a 40 per cent stake in Hikmat Bumimaju Sdn Bhd, the company which was awarded the contract by the Government. The balance 60 per cent is owned by Hikmat Asia Sdn Bhd, a privately held company controlled by Tan Sri Datuk Ahmad Kamil M. Jaafar.

Mail Money was told that Hikmat may likely rope in Road Builder (M) Holdings Bhd as the main subcontractor for its 60 per cent portion of the project.

The RM324 million rail project mooted by the Federal Government's unit, the Sabah State Railway Services Department (SSR), involves the upgrading of existing rail that is in deteriorating condition.

The plan is also to decrease the travelling time from Tanjung Aru to Tenom.

KTM Bhd, the national railway company, is expected to be asked to as to act as lead manager for the job because federal funding is involved.

KTMB On Track To Reviving Glory Days
Updated : 09-09-2005
Media : Bernama



Going by the recent annual increase in passenger load, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) is on track towards reviving the glory days of rail travel of the 50s and 60s.

KTMB General Manager of Intercity Services Azman Ahmad Shaharbi said the annual passenger load rose from 3.4 million in 2003 to 3.7 million last year and was expected to reach 3.9 million this year.

One factor for the rise in the number of passengers was the safe and comfortable services that KTMB was able to provide, he said, pointing out that its services had been free of fatal accidents for the last 13 years.

He admitted that there had been derailment of trains now and then but the last fatal accident was in Kuang, Selangor, in 1992 in which one passenger was killed.

Azman said KTMB services had moved up to 10 million passengers annually during its glory days when it served as the main means of land transportation in the country.

But the number of passengers saw a decline in the 70s and 80s following the construction of better and modern highways and airports, he added.

Azman said KTMB got "a new lease on life" in 1995 when it was allocated RM2 billion by the government to develop electrified double tracks and launch its commuter service in the Klang Valley.

The current extension of the double tracks from Rawang, Selangor, to Ipoh, Perak, at a cost of RM4 billion also augured well for KTMB's services, he said. The project is expected to be completed in 2008.

Azman also said that the government was considering extending the double tracks further to the north and south of the country to provide more efficient and comfortable services to passengers.

"We (KTMB) hope the government will consider this project soon, perhaps in 2010 or 2015, under the 10th or 11th development plans," he added.

i really hope KTM will refurbish or get new trains soon!They are a little run down though:( And i realise it moves really slow when it gets to Rawang area.

KTMB plans railway line linking Kuching and KK
Updated : 25-09-2005
Media : The Star




KOTA KINABALU: A railway line linking Kuching and Kota Kinabalu is among the long-term plans proposed by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) for the establishment of a trans-Borneo railway service.

KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said it was also proposing that the sole railway line in Borneo from Tanjung Aru in the city to Tenom in the interior be extended to Lahad Datu and Tawau.

¡§We have submitted an initial proposal of these plans to the Government,¡¨ he said after the opening of the 26th annual KTMB-State Railway of Thailand senior officials meeting here.

He said KTMB, which was working with the Sabah Railway Department, had also come up with various short-term proposals to improve the 134km railway service from the city to Tenom.

Mohd Salleh said the company had so far spent RM10.6mil for a study on the upgrading of the rail line, particularly the safety aspects of the services.

About RM330mil would be spent upgrading the rail tracks as well as for spare parts and trolleys.

Mohd Salleh said the Sabah Government was seeking a loan or grant of RM58mil from the Federal Government to buy locomotives and carriages, apart from building new workshops.

He said the new trains that the state railway department was likely to acquire would reduce travelling time from the city to Tenom from five hours to just two hours and 45 minutes.

Blue tiger locomotive

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i really hope KTM will refurbish or get new trains soon!They are a little run down though:( And i realise it moves really slow when it gets to Rawang area.

Taking KTM really gets on my nerves. It's so slow compared to LRT! They should refurbish those trains!

^^ It is not the trains which is slow but the tracks which is the problem. KTM Komuter and Interecity as well as freight trains shares the same track so sometimes because of traffic.....the trains had to be slowed down to enable a buffer zone between the moving/non-moving trains.

LRTs on the other hand are operating on a dedicated rail system therefore there's no hindrance ;)

Sze, how long does it take to reach JB and KL from Singapore?

Sze, how long does it take to reach JB and KL from Singapore?

Well......my experience is that the train leaves at 10pm from either JB or Singapore and reaches at around 6am at its destination. Plus minus half an hour for JB ;)

The train travels leisurely in the night (I've not taken day train before) ....and they stop at all the small-small stops along the way :D

ww

have Gemas station picture??

^^ It is not the trains which is slow but the tracks which is the problem. KTM Komuter and Interecity as well as freight trains shares the same track so sometimes because of traffic.....the trains had to be slowed down to enable a buffer zone between the moving/non-moving trains.

LRTs on the other hand are operating on a dedicated rail system therefore there's no hindrance ;)

Oh...thanks for the info sze hoong. But could there be any solution to upgrade those tracks?

Most stretches of KTM railway are single tracks? :eek2:

my god.no wonder the train runs sooooooo slow.Man!the governmet should invest and implement at least trains like the ERL!Imagine going to KL from Singapore within 2-3 hours:D

Most stretches of KTM railway are single tracks? :eek2:


Unfortunately yes.........most of the railway systems in this world runs on a single track. It is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE to have a double tracking system for intercity connections. Currently only the Rawang till Seremban stretch are double-tracked with the Ipoh to Rawang stretch completing soon. ;)

my god.no wonder the train runs sooooooo slow.Man!the governmet should invest and implement at least trains like the ERL!Imagine going to KL from Singapore within 2-3 hours:D


That is what they are trying to do with the double-tracking project. Unfortunately, during the change in our country's administration, this project had been put on hold :cry: Currently they are doing the Ipoh - Rawang stretch. They have plan to construct the Ipoh - Padang Besar stretch in the next phase while Singapore - Seremban stretch would probably be the last to finish ;)

There are certain political implications for double tracking the tracks. For example, it will decrase the profit of PLUS and express bus companies as electrified express trains will always be faster than buses. I think they should focus on double tracking the whole stretch first adn worry about electricfying it later as diesel trains can reach speeds of 150 anyway. Furthermore, the cost of electricfying the wholes stretch is just too expensive and not many countries have electrified tracks on their intersate railways anyway with the exception of Europe , Japan and maybe Korea and Taiwan.

F1 inspires KTMB to freight efficiency
By Jimmy Yeow, 27 Dec 2005 11:03 AM


As a Formula One (F1) fan, KTM Bhd general manager for freight services, Abdul Radzak Abdul Malek, not only enjoys the thrills and spills of the Grand Prix races, he also draws inspiration from F1 to boost the efficiency and productivity of the railway operator’s freight services.

He understands that a winning team does not merely depend on the driver’s skills, but also on the engine, tyres, equipment, tactics and, most importantly, teamwork.

For years, KTMB’s ability to mount additional passenger or freight services has been limited due to the much delayed double-tracking work between Rawang and Ipoh. The construction work requires the stretch of track to be closed for 10 hours daily.

To cope with the limited operating hours and the speed at which a train can travel on that stretch, Abdul Radzak and his team are working on improving the productivity and efficiency of the freight services.

After months of preparation and studies, KTMB’s freight services launched its own key performance indicator called Pit Stop Operations (PSO) to improve the turnaround of trains plying the various routes.

“We managed to cut down a lot of movements (procedures) to get the trains and wagons ready without compromising on safety,” he tells FinancialDaily.

“We are not talking about seven- or eight-second pit stops like the F1 races but four hours to get our locomotives, wagons and documentation, among others, ready, which is a pretty reasonable time,” he adds. In the past, there was not much effort to monitor the time taken.

He explains that the PSO is about teamwork and keeping track of every stage of the train services.

The PSO was first implemented in the Prai-Padang Besar-Prai run in October and the results have so far been good. At times, even exceeding KTMB’s and its customers’ expectations.

“Prior to October, we used to see three- to five- hour delays or even cancellation of the services. Now our trains are departing on time or before time, often reaching on the dot or even before (the scheduled) time while delays are usually under one hour,” Abdul Radzak says.

“The international benchmark for freight train schedules is that a train is deemed to arrive on time, when the delay is less than an hour,” he says.

“We have managed to cut the turnaround time for the service from 48 hours to 26 hours on average and that allows us to operate 12 train services from 10 services (previously) daily and reduces the number of wagons and locomotives required with the faster turnaround,” he says.

Buoyed by the success of the PSO, Abdul Radzak extended it to KTMB’s operations at the Ipoh Cargo Terminal in November. There was vast improvement after three weeks, with delays or cancellations greatly reduced and trains departing and arriving on or ahead of schedule.

Abdul Radzak says the next target is the cement market. The railway operator currently only has a 5.4% market share of the total 2.56 million tonnes of cement produced in the country annually.

“We carry only 14% of the four big producers’ total production of 1.44 million tonnes (40% of total annual production). There is much scope to improve our market share if we can improve the turnaround,” he says.

Abdul Radzak says the company has projected RM143 million in revenue for 2006 on the back of higher capacity, faster turnaround and improvements in conventional cargo transportation for cement, sugar and petroleum products.

The near-completion of the double-tracking project between Rawang and Ipoh (by 2007) will allow KTMB to operate more services at higher speed.

For 2005, KTMB expects its revenue to remain at last year’s level of RM109 million or see marginal improvement, due to the higher diesel cost and limited operating window.

KTMB also expects that, with greater efficiency now, its container handling would improve to 361,800 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2006 from the projected 312,000 TEUs in 2005 and 303,153 TEUs in 2004.

Abdul Radzak concedes that freight services has yet to tap its full potential as KTMB now handles an estimated 3% of the country total hinterland cargo.

“Imagine what we can achieve with the improved turnaround and when the double-tracking is completed, that allows us to run five times more train services at a higher speed and increased tonnage,” he says.

Govt Gets Final Shipment Of Locomotives


PORT KLANG, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The government Saturday received the final shipment of 20 high-powered diesel locomotives from China which will help to boost Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTM Bhd) freight services capacity by five-fold.

The final shipment at Northport here comprised eight units of high-powered locomotives from Dalian, China. The first and second shipment of six fleets respectively arrived on Nov 5 and Dec 28 last year.

Transport Ministry deputy secretary general Zakaria Bahari received the freight trains here today on behalf of Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

Chan said these new locomotives would complement the existing fleets of 20 Blue Tiger locomotives manufactured by General Electric of US which had been in commissioned since late 2003.

"With the acquisition of the new rolling stocks, existing customers can expect better services from KTM Bhd in term of volume capacity per trip. The increased volume capacity per trip will be a major factor to attract new customers," he said in his speech read by Zakaria.

The contract for procurement of the locomotive was awarded to China Tietong Telecommunications Corporation in December 2003 worth about US$58 million (RM220 million) via counter trade agreement of palm oil between Ministry of Primary Industries and the sugar and oils division China National Cereal, Oil and Foodstuff Import and Export Corporation.

The new locomotives, named after Malaysian timbers such as Nyatoh, Sepetir, Cengal and Meranti, have equal hauling power of 2,500 tonnes hauling load to the Blue Tiger trains and capable of operating between 30 and 40 wagons compared with the current 20 wagons per run, Chan said.

He said these locomotives would be used more frequently after the completion of the double-tracking project between Rawang-Ipoh.

KTM Bhd's freight services recorded a revenue of RM107.4 million last year.

EVENT: Official Handing-Over of High-Powered Locomotives to the Government of Malaysia from China Tie Tong Telecommunications

Picture by : Kelvin from KTMRailwayfan Club
DATE: Saturday, January 21, 2006
VENUE: CT1 Siding, Northport, Port Klang

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1 day with 38 frieght services!

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Lion Dance
Picture by : Kelvin from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : Jason from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : Kelvin from KTMRailwayfan Club

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The one in front of the Railway is my friend... My TAR College Building Course coursemate... hahaha...

I love train... thanks for sharing here... :)

China locomotives arrive in Klang
Sunday January 22, 2006


http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/1/22/nation/n_p13truck.jpg

CHOO-CHOO FROM CHINA: The high-powered locomotives from
China being loaded onto transport trucks at Northport in Klang on Saturday.


PORT KLANG: Twenty high-powered locomotives purchased by the Government for KTM Berhad (KTMB) have been handed over to the Transport Ministry.

The locomotives, manufactured by the Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co Ltd (DLoco), were the final consignment to arrive at Northport yesterday.

The first and second shipment of six locomotives each arrived here on Nov 5 and Dec 28.

The Malaysian Government had awarded the locomotives procurement contract to China Tietong Telecommunications Corp for US$58mil (RM220mil).

Transport Ministry deputy secretary-general Zakaria Bahari accepted the locomotives on behalf of Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

In his speech read out by Zakaria, Chan said KTMB was acquiring the locomotives to upgrade its freight services.

He added that KTMB had also received 20 high-powered Blue Tiger locomotives from the American firm General Electric, since 2003.

With the acquisition of the new locomotives, KTMB would provide better services in terms of volume capacity, said Chan.

“The new locomotives are capable of operating 30 to 40 wagons as compared to the current 20 wagons per run,” he said.

Picture by : Kelvin from KTMRailwayfan Club

Aowww!

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New EPlus coach
Picture by : KonstantineChoo from KTMRailwayfan Club

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E PLUS new WC

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Neat!! :shocked:

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Selesa coach entrance
Picture by : KonstantineChoo from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Selesa coach corridor
Picture by : KonstantineChoo from KTMRailwayfan Club

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New PGC interior
Picture by : KonstantineChoo from KTMRailwayfan Club

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ADNS
Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Picture by : kelvinkhew from KTMRailwayfan Club

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ADNS
Picture by : KonstantineChoo from KTMRailwayfan Club

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KL Sentral
Picture by : sulhan81 from KTMRailwayfan Club

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KTM FIRST CLASS
Picture by : KonstantineChoo from KTMRailwayfan Club

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Ravi Nambiar

Three hours by train from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru? This is likely within five years when the Federal Government implements its blueprint to transform south Johor into a new mega hub.

The high speed train service is one of several measures being pursued by the Government to improve transport services and make the mega hub — which is expected to attract the top brains in the region — easily accessible.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman gave an inkling of the plan when addressing Johor civil servants here on Monday.

With the implementation of the mega hub project, he said, there was a need to provide a fast, comfortable and convenient mode of transport to JB for captains of industry, corporate big wigs and top civil servants in the Federal capital.

"With the high speed trains, they would be able to whiz in and out of JB from KL for meetings or corporate events. This is exciting news for Johor," he said in his annual New Year message to the civil servants.

Scomi wins RM50m KTM overhaul job
SHAREN KAUR
March 20


SCOMI Group Bhd is believed to have won a contract worth as much as RM50 million from KTM Bhd, the national railway company, to overhaul and maintain its wagons, sources said yesterday.

Mail Money was told that the contract is for five years, and will involve the maintenance and overhaul of as many as 1,000 wagons.

Scomi did not respond to questions sent by Mail Money over the last two weeks, but a senior executive confirmed the award of the contract.

The contract was awarded last year by KTM, after it had invited several companies to participate in a closed door tender exercise.

Scomi, however, has not started work because the master agreement with KTM has yet to be signed, as they are still working on the details of the agreement.

KTM officials also declined to comment, but the national railway company did provide details on its fleet size.

KTM has 264 coaches, which are between 11 and 79 years old. The national railway company also has 3,670 wagons, some built as early as 1909.

Mail Money was told that Scomi is expected to invest as much as RM5 million to build a workshop with full facilities in Port Klang to carry out overhaul and maintenance works on the KTM wagons.

Under the plan, the workshop will be built on Government land, owned by Railway Asset Corporation, but Scomi will have to use its own funds to build the workshop.

The pictures are very nice... But anyone know the new Komuter design for Rawang-Ipoh by end of the year?

KTMB expects freight unit to pull in higher revenue
By Kang Siew Li
April 17 2006


NATIONAL rail operator KTM Bhd (KTMB) expects revenue from its freight unit to grow by 33.6 per cent this year, as the Ipoh-Rawang electrified double-track railway project nears completion and the company itself operating a larger fleet.

KTMB general manager (freight division) Abd Radzak Abd Malek said revenue is expected to reach RM143 million from RM107 million in 2005.

Of this, 34 per cent is expected to come from its container business, 32 per cent from its conventional business and 25 per cent from its landbridge service between Malaysia and Thailand.

Volume-wise, the freight unit is expected to handle 5.6 million tonnes of cargo this year, up 17 per cent from last year's 4.8 million tonnes.

At the same time, container throughput is forecast to increase to 370,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) for 2006, from 310,000 TEUs in 2005.

Began construction in July 2000, Abd Radzak said the 180km Ipoh-Rawang double-track project is nearing completion and KTMB is now able to use one of the new tracks.

A double-track railway involves running one track in each direction compared with a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.

"This new track will enable us to run longer and heavier freight trains despite a 10-hour line block (for five days per week to facilitate the double-track project works). This will help bring in more freight revenue," he added.

KTMB recently took delivery of 20 high-powered locomotives from China Railway Communication Co Ltd, which will help boost revenue for the freight unit.

"We are in the process of testing and commissioning these locomotives with the expectation of seeing them in operation next month," said Abd Radzak.

The freight unit is also banking on its conventional business to bring in additional cargo volume this year.

It is currently working with local cement, sugar and oil companies to beef up their current cargo loads by introducing the "pit-stop operation" on conventional trains.

Similar to the Formula One pit stops, KTMB's pit-stop operation involves timing and coordinating the movements of trains.

"We make sure that our freight trains will not stay at a particular station longer than necessary," said Abd Radzak.

The rail company has been able to reduce downtime of a train which runs on a pit-stop operation to four to six hours from 10 to 12 hours previously.

Abd Radzak said the idea of having trains running on the pit-stop operation is to make sure that in one-and-a-half years, all of its freight trains will be running on schedule, just like passenger trains.

woh, soon komuter trains from tg malim to kl, but quite a long commute tho, wonder how long it will take to travel tg malim-kl or will u have to change at rawang

^^ Nope......I dun think they would use Komuter trains for long routes as Komuter coaches are meant for travelling within metro area. ;)

Although the pantographs and the tracks are the same, I guess they are gonna use electrified high-speed intercity trains that are wayyy faster than KTM Komuter trains :yes:

Getting KTMB back on track
By Sharen Kaur
May 10 2006


http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Wednesday/Frontpage/BT566051.txt/Article/Current_News/BT/Images/dailyn1/ktm2.jpg



THE Government may let the private sector take over the management of national rail company Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) as it seeks to reduce its financial burden in developing railway infrastructure.

A government official told Business Times that the Government is pumping at least RM300 million a year to subsidise KTMB's operations.

This does not include the money needed to develop the costly infrastructure.

The official said that to ensure KTMB is viable, the Government will have to privatise the loss-making company. But to do this, it will also have to revamp KTMB and streamline its operations and assets to further attract interested parties.

"The Government wants the private sector to more efficiently develop the railway infrastructure to cut operation costs. If this is the direction forward and if the plan materialises, KTMB will only need to pay track access fees for the usage of the railway infrastructure," said the official.

"The fee is not worked out yet, but the offer will make KTMB more efficient as a service provider for transporting goods and people as it will have a fixed operation cost," the official added.

It is believed that government-linked companies like Scomi Group Bhd and UEM Group are likely to bid for the privatisation plan.

YTL Corp Bhd, a company controlled by the family of Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping, is also expected to bid. YTL is a shareholder in the firm which built the Express Rail Link, a train linking Kuala Lumpur to the KL International Airport in Sepang.

KTMB was corporatised on August 1 1992 under the Railways Act 1991, and placed under the management of the Renong Bhd-led consortium Marak Unggul Sdn Bhd on August 1 1997.

Renong owns 50 per cent of Marak Unggul, while DRB-HICOM Bhd has 25 per cent and Bolton Bhd holds 20 per cent. The remaining 5 per cent is held by Jasa Meta Sdn Bhd.

In 2001, the Government decided to put the privatisation of KTMB on hold after it rejected a proposal submitted by Marak Unggul, which had managed it for four years.

Industry observers cited Renong's debts as the reason. Also, Marak Unggul was to have injected RM100 million into KTMB when it took over, but it did not do so.

The pertinent issue, however, was that KTMB at that time had been sustaining losses of more than RM400 million from 1996 to 2000. It had borrowings of RM953.1 million as at December 1998.

Based on this, KTMB could only break even if it could get a subsidy from the Government. Hence, the Government found that privatising KTMB at that point was not feasible.

National rail company has come a long way
May 23 2006
BusinessTimes


KTM Bhd's (KTMB) first railway track was built in 1885 linking tin mining town Taiping to Port Weld. From a mere 12.8km of track, the network grew as Malaysia developed and prospered.

In 1913, rail connection linking Padang Besar in Perlis to Singapore was completed, while for the East Coast sector, the Gemas-Tumpat connection up to Hatyai in Thailand, was completed in 1930.

In the beginning, all rail services were managed separately by each Malayan state. However, the British colonials later decided to streamline all rail administration by implementing the Malayan Railway Ordinance in 1948. Thus, the Federated Malay State Railways became the Malayan Railway Administration, which upon corporatisation was renamed KTM Bhd.

KTMB was corporatised on August 1 1992 under the Railways Act 1991. Although still wholly-owned by the Government, KTMB currently operates as a private sector organisation, responsible for its own revenue and operations.

In 121 years of KTMB history, it has undergone tremendous changes, from the first steam locomotive in 1885 to diesel engines in 1958. In 1995, KTMB introduced the KTM commuter, Malaysia's first electrified rail system.

With its service covering the length and breadth of the country, KTMB runs its train on a meter gauge of 1,000mm, over a track length of 2,262km.

KTMB's core business is freight services, passenger services (intercity and local - East Coast) and commuter services (suburban) while its non-core business is property and advertising.

As of April 2006, the total number of permanent KTMB employees is 4,553.

KTMB revamp of strategic units trims losses
May 23 2006
BusinessTimes


KERETAPI Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) efforts to restructure its strategic business units(SBUs) to monitor its overall operations have helped reduce its net losses from RM131 million in 2003 to RM87.5 million in 2004.

Last year, KTMB achieved RM274 million in sales collectively from its intercity services (RM69.75 million), commuter services (RM74.03 million), freight services (RM107.36 million) and properties (RM21.71 million).

In 2003, the corresponding total revenue was RM339.81 million, of which intercity services accounted for RM67.87 million, commuter services RM66.32 million, freight services RM107.89 million and properties RM97.73 million.

"The lower revenue last year was from properties as in 2003, there were more proceeds from the sale of land as compared to last year. We have, however, managed to increase our turnover from our intercity and commuter services which is very encouraging to us," said managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah, adding that the company is working towards achieving better growth this year.

Over the years, KTMB's achilles heel has been the huge amount of money the Government has had to pump in, in order to keep it afloat.

Based on the audited results on its financial year which ended December 31 2002, the company had suffered a net loss of RM125 million while its shareholders' deficit stood at RM219.64 million. Its group level borrowings stood at RM1.02 billion against a cash position of RM32.73 million.

The land-rich KTMB had twice been a takeover target by privately-held companies. In 1997 a consortium comprising Renong Bhd, DRB-HICOM Bhd, Bolton Bhd and Jasa Meta Sdn Bhd came close to taking KTMB private, but the deal eventually faltered.

In 2003, a consortium headed by Malaysia Mining Corp Bhd and Gamuda had also submitted a privatisation proposal, but it was scuttled after the Government decided not to go ahead with a RM14.5 billion double-tracking project.

BizFocus:
Keretapi Tanah Melayu on track to recovery
By Sharen Kaur
May 23 2006
BusinessTimes


KTMB has drawn up plans to improve products, services and capacity.
Besides acquiring new trains and engines, it intends to make train travel
a more pleasant and comfortable experience for commuters

KERETAPI Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) future looks more promising, especially since the Government has announced the implementation of several new railway infrastructure projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

But for managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah, the amount allocated may not be enough.

Under the 9MP, the Government allocated RM4.1 billion for railway infrastructure, whereby RM2.9 billion represents on-going construction activities, and RM1.1 billion for new projects.

"There is little room to improve especially on track capacity. This is because the RM4.1 billion allocated is definitely not enough to complete projects successfully. I may have to re-examine KTMB's strategy and re-privatise the more critical projects now.

"Furthermore, nothing much was mentioned on the much anticipated billion ringgit Northern and Southern double-tracking project. The double-tracking projects would have been the future for many, especially KTMB," Mohd Salleh told Business Times in Kuala Lumpur.

KTMB had finalised a 17-year business growth plan in 2003, which would have seen the national railway company on the road to recovery. The plan consisted of three levels - the recovery stage from 2003 to 2006, the consolidation stage from 2007 to 2010, and the growth period from 2011 to 2020.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed and hope that in the mid-term review planned in 2008, the Government will have something more concrete to announce on the North and South double-tracking project," added Mohd Salleh.

Rail projects approved under the 9MP include the Sentul-Batu Caves double-tracking rail project; the extension of double track commuter lines in Negri Sembilan; procurement of rolling stock; rehabilitation and upgrading of railway infrastructure involving tracks and bridges; and the building of double tracks from Taiping to Padang Renggas.

In the meantime, Mohd Salleh said, KTMB has its own plans to improve its products, services and capacity so it could be more efficient as a service provider.

These include acquiring six new train sets to service the line from KL Sentral to Ipoh, introducing new services to cut short travelling time in some areas, implementing a new commuter service from Rasah/Batang Kali to Rawang by year-end, and increasing passenger services during peak hours at some areas to alleviate congestion on the road.

"We have six KL-Singapore-KL services while for Penang, we have two services to and fro KL-Butterworth-KL. We will increase these services but only after the completion of the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking project. We will also bring back our Express Rakyat services, which we had to cancel due to the double-tracking job," said Mohd Salleh.

KTMB is also looking at ways to improve facilities and disabled-friendly services at all its commuter stations, introducing second entrance and elevated entry at some stations, and preventing illegal crossing of tracks.

"We will soon identify 20 locations for building pedestrian motorcycle lanes. We are looking at 10 locations in Klang Valley alone. We will submit a paper to the Cabinet soon and call for tenders," said Mohd Salleh.

Other measures to improve services include expanding the use of Touch & Go and MyKad for travel, and requesting that the Government divert one line from Port Klang to Seremban so that the company can run more trains.

"This bypass is very important as our turnaround time is very critical. KTMB has been faced with this problem for many years now. Port operators and factory owners have to also be mindful of our operations."

Mohd Salleh said KTMB also hopes to educate the public on why train services are more useful and convenient compared to prime movers.

"Total fuel consumption for rail services is 8.4 million litres a year, while for prime movers it is 36 million litres. We could carry the same load as prime movers using less fuel," he said.

May 28, 2006 11:15 AM

KTM Komuter Passengers Want Better Service

A Special Report By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- Like sardines. Packed. Unpleasant. Very uncomfortable.

These are what KTM Komuter passengers said when asked to describe their experience when taking the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) service.

The situation worsens if the train is late, or worse when the service is cancelled due to a technical glitch. Then the passengers, who are generally low and middle-income earners, have to quickly find alternative means of transport to avoid getting to work or home late.

Perhaps this is one of the causes of stress among Klang Valley residents.

Checks by Bernama on the KTM Komuter train from the Sungai Buloh station to KL Sentral showed the passengers, including senior citizens, disabled, pregnant women and children, had to squeeze in and stand for nearly 15 minutes every morning.

This creates opportunities for molesters or pickpockets.

For the Rawang-Seremban route, the coaches are often congested with people from certain main stations like Kepong and Segambut during peak hours from 7am to 9am.

The same happens from the integrated public transport station, KL Sentral, from 5pm to 8pm, when people rush home from work.

"What to do, have to. Every time, getting into a commuter train feels like having a heart attack because I fear the train may be late or break down," said remisier Ng Moi Wah when met at the Kepong Commuter Station last Thursday.

The woman, in her 50s who lives in Bandar Manjalara, admitted that the situation had shaken her confidence to heed the government's call for the people to use public transport after the price of fuel was raised by 30 sen last February.

She said the service could actually save time and she could avoid traffic jams into the city but it was not 100 per cent reliable because of delays, sometimes up to 15 minutes, and low frequency.

"It's hard. Fuel price has increased. The goverment tells us to use public transport but the train is never on time," said Ng who boarded the train at 7.20am and would get down at the Bank Negara Station because she had no alternative.

When announcing the fuel price increase last February, the government urged the people to use public transport and said that the RM4.4 billion saving from the subsidy reduction would be spent to upgrade the public transport system.

The public tried to heed the call though the services like KTM Komuter, Putra and Star LRT, Monorail and buses are not satisfactory, and their complaints could often be read in the newspapers.

According to KTMB statistics, an average of 94,000 people use its commuter service daily this year compared to 80,000 people daily last year.

University College Sedaya International (UCSI) corporate communications director Stephen Ng, who is a regular KTM Komuter passenger, said the rail network in the Klang Valley covering KTM Komuter, Putra and Star LRT and Monorail was comprehensive unlike in other countries.

It could be the backbone to the public transport system in the Klang Valley and had the potential to develop further as the number of passengers was still rising annually, he said.

According to KTMB statistics, the number of KTM Komuter passengers rose 10-fold since it was introduced in 1995, from 2.817 million to 27.38 million in 2004.

"We need to have shuttle or feeder services connecting the stations with their surrounding areas for the users' convenience. Then the government's call to the people to use public transport will receive good response.

"The private sector, factories and higher learning institutes can play a role in providing the shuttle services," said Ng who has been taking commuter trains from Kepong to Bandar Tasik Selatan over the past two months.

UCSI provides buses from the Bandar Tasik Selatan Star LRT and KTM Komuter stations to its campus and back for RM1 one way.

Universiti Putra Malaysia also provides a similar service to its main campus from the Serdang KTM Komuter Station, a distance of about 6km.

To improve the quality of service, Ng said the service provider should focus on passenger comfort, increase frequency, enhance reliability by ensuring the trains were on time and offer fares that matched the quality of service.

Albert Bruno of Segambut said KTMB should increase KTM Komuter's frequency from 15 minutes to five minutes during peak hours.

"If Putra and Star LRT can do that every four to five minutes, why not KTM Komuter?" he said.

Bernama also met several people who complained about the lack of overhead shelter at the platform and exit lanes at the stations and insensitive Touch N'Go readers.

"Sometimes I can't hear what the driver says each time the train stops. So I have to look at the map above the compartment or ask the person next to me to know where we are," said Syed Yusoff Al-Habshee, an elderly man from Port Klang.

Government employee Norsaadah Mastor, from Padang Jawa, said the train should stop only at the main stations during peak hours to avoid overcrowding.

"If we want people from all walks of life to use public transport, the number of coaches and train frequency should be increased especially in the morning and evening to make the service more efficient.

"Then we can see more people with ties and coats using public transport," she said.

-- BERNAMA

May 29, 2006 10:30 AM

KTMB Taking Steps To Overcome Overcrowding In Commuter Service

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has admitted that it is unable to accommodate the rising KTM Komuter passengers due to a shortage of trains but plans have been drawn up to overcome the overcrowding.

Its commuter service general manager, Roslan Mohammed, said that an average of 94,000 people used the service daily this year compared to 80,000 previously.

As a short-term measure to reduce congestion, KTMB would soon introduce a train shuttle service along certain stretches, like between Sungai Buloh and Serdang, during peak hours, he said.

KTMB also planned to put more coaches into service this July to raise capacity, he told Bernama.

He said KTMB needed 40 sets of EMU (Electrical Multiple Unit) to ply the two KTM Komuter routes -- Sentul-Port Klang and Rawang-Seremban -- to accommodate the current ridership but only between 33 and 35 sets were operational even though it had 60.

"The trains are already 10 years old and need to be overhauled but we lack the facilities and funds," Roslan said.

He said the shortage of trains was only expected to be sorted out by the middle of next year if the plan to overhaul 50 EMU sets, costing about RM90 million, is implemented smoothly.

He said other contributing factors to KTM Komuter's declining service quality included vandalism of its signal system and limited track capacity as it had to share the railway track with freight and intercity trains.

KTMB incurred a loss of about RM5 million annually due to the faulty signal system caused by theft of cables and other railway components, he said.

A total of 129 theft cases were reported in 2004, 83 last year and 60 in the first four months of 2006.

"All these happened in the central region and they give negative implications to the commuter service. We have intensified patrols, sought the police's assistance and carried out awareness campaigns to reduce the vandalism," he said.

Asked on the RM4.1 billion allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) for KTMB to build tracks, Roslan said RM2.9 billion would be used to finance current projects and the balance is for new development programmes.

"The 9MP allocation is still not enough. We plan to ask the government to allocate more, perhaps during the mid-term review," he said.

Under the 9MP, KTMB also plans to build overhead shelters at a number of KTM Komuter station platforms like in Padang Jawa, Batu Tiga and Kampung Dato Harun, and facilities for the disabled.

On the insensitive Touch'N Go machine, Roslan said KTMB was discussing with the service provider, Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, to overcome the problem.

KTMB also planned to enhance security at KTM Komuter stations by installing CCTV cameras at certain stations, he said. So far, the company has installed four cameras at the Mid Valley station and six at KL Sentral.

"We also plan to increase train frequency from 15 minutes to 10 minutes during peak hours. However, it depends on how fast the existing commuter trains can be overhauled," he said.

On the government's call for the people to use public transport, he said KTM Komuter needed the support of shuttle bus services to connect its stations with the surrounding areas.

"In this matter, we totally depend on bus operators to provide the service. KTMB only operates train service," he said.

Asked whether KTMB would raise fares following the increase in electricity tariffs next month, Roslan said it would not in the near term but KTMB had plans to do so later.

"At the moment, we want to improve our service first. Then, we can talk about raising KTM Komuter fares," he said.

-- BERNAMA

KTMB to call for tenders worth RM1.1b
By Sharen Kaur
June 5 2006


Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd may invite the Gamuda Bhd-MMC Engineering
partnership, UEM Builders Bhd and Road Builder Holdings Bhd to present their
bids due to their expertise, an industry source says

THE national railway company, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), plans to call a tender for contracts worth a combined RM1.1 billion this year, its chief said.

The projects will help upgrade and expand its rail network, KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah told Business Times in an interview.




http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Monday/Frontpage/20060605000654/Article/Current_News/BT/Images/dailyn1/ktm5.jpg




Under the five-year Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Government has allocated RM4.1 billion for railway infrastructure. Out of this, RM2.9 billion will be spent on ongoing construction activities while RM1.1 billion will go towards new projects.

The Government has given its approval in principle for KTMB to implement a double-tracking project from Taiping to Padang Rengas, Perak.

This will cost as much as RM800 million.

The project will involve building new rail tracks over a 20km stretch, inclusive of 3km tunnelling work.

“The tunnelling work is at Bukit Berapit. It will involve the building of two tunnels of approximately 1.5km each. We will be preparing the tender documents soon and will call for a tender over the next few months,” Mohd Salleh said.

The Taiping-Padang Rengas project will enable the high-powered Blue Tiger diesel-electric locomotives to operate.

KTMB will also call for a tender to extend the commuter lines from Seremban to Sg Gadut, Negri Sembilan.

This will be an extension to the Klang Valley Commuter system.

The contract, worth some RM300 million, will involve the construction of 8.5km double tracks, flyovers and br idges.

“We are in the midst of preparing the tender documents and we hope to call for a tender in the next four months,” said Mohd Salleh.

KTMB may invite the Gamuda Bhd-MMC Engineering partnership, UEM Builders Bhd and Road Builder Holdings Bhd to present their bids due to their expertise, an industry source said.

“Gamuda-MMC seems like the likely players to do the tunnelling work because of their expertise in handling the SMART project, while UEM is currently in the midst of completing the Rawang to Ipoh double- tracking job,” the source said.

The SMART project is a flood mitigation project in Kuala Lumpur in which an underground highway tunnel that doubles as a huge drain is being built.

Several other projects which received approval are the Sentul- Batu Caves double-tracking high-speed rail project; the procurement of rolling stocks; and the rehabilitation and upgrade of railway infrastructure involving tracks and bridges.

KTMB’s current projects include the Rawang-Ipoh electrified double- tracking project, rail infrastructure development at Batu Gajah, and the rehabilitation of Sabah’s railways.

Hmmm, so longer commuter lines eh? Does that mean that it will then be the Tanjong Malim - Sungei Gadut line instead of the Tanjong Malim/Rawang - Seremban line? Lol, ok. Anyway, I think KTM needs two things at the moment.

1) More commuter train sets
2) Longer commuter train sets (like 4 cars per train or something)

They could get rid of the original series that they used since 1995 or at least make adjustments to those sets. The single doors restrict passenger movement quite a bit and I think these sets are the ones that should be over hauled as soon as possible. Rearrangement of the seating would also do good if more standing space was provided. More doors on these would also be nice.

The other two generations of rolling stock seem okay to me at the moment. :)

KTMB Freight to hit record revenue of RM120m this year
By Jimmy Yeow, 19 Jun 2006 9:02 AM
THEEDGEDAILY


KTM Bhd is looking at a record revenue of RM120 million for its freight services this year compared with the RM107 million achieved in 2005 despite the possibility of falling short of the anticipated 5.7 million tonnes of cargo it planned to handle in 2006.

Its general manager for freight services Abdul Radzak Abdul Malek (pic) described the projection as achievable as the railway operator has been targeting higher yield goods such as containerised cargo instead of bulk cargo.

He said for 2006, KTM’s freight services, at best, are expected to handle slightly over or equal the four million tonnes of cargo it handled last year because of the shorter operating hours to allow the 180km double- tracking work between Rawang and Ipoh.

Up to end-May, he said KTM handled some 1.8 million tonnes of cargo. “Volume usually picks up from the second and third quarters,” Abdul Radzak said.

On containerised cargo, he expects the company to handle 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) compared with 380,000 TEUs in 2005.

Containerised cargo accounts for 65% of the freight services revenue with the rest from bulk shipments.

“We are able to run more land feeder services for containerised cargo between Padang Besar and Prai; Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and Johor Port; PTP and Port Klang; and Ipoh Cargo Terminal (ICT) and Port Klang,” he said.

Abdul Radzak said the delay in the commissioning of the double-tracking project is hampering KTMB freight from mounting additional services.

Despite the handicap, he said the freight division has made up for the shortcomings by improving its efficiency and turnaround of freight trains, as well as hauling more cargo with the 24 units of high-powered “Blue Mountain” and “Dalian” locomotives.

“Most of our freight train services are arriving on or before time after we initiated the pit-stop operations. We have also started the spoke and hub operations from our northern hub in Padang Rengas and Serendah hub in the south using tandem train services,” he added.

With the pit-stop operations, he said the railway operator has managed to reduce the turnaround time of its freight services locomotives and wagons from the Padang Besar hub to 26 hours from 48 hours.

“The tandem train services — while they offer no savings in crew and trains — save on slot time and allow the hauling of more cargo,” Abdul Radzak said.

He said the tandem train services had not only benefited the containerised cargo owners but also helped KTMB freight to ship more bulk cement and sugar for the various manufacturers from their plants to their hubs throughout the country.

“We are able to ship more products for Lafarge, CIMA, YTL and Malayan Sugar Manufacturing.”

He added that the balance of 16 higher-powered locomotives on order and to be commissioned over the next few months would also help it to further improve its services.

KTM recently changed the rails, sleepers and gravel of the track in Singapore. :)

About last month i think.

Hmmm, so longer commuter lines eh? Does that mean that it will then be the Tanjong Malim - Sungei Gadut line instead of the Tanjong Malim/Rawang - Seremban line? Lol, ok. Anyway, I think KTM needs two things at the moment.

1) More commuter train sets
2) Longer commuter train sets (like 4 cars per train or something)

They could get rid of the original series that they used since 1995 or at least make adjustments to those sets. The single doors restrict passenger movement quite a bit and I think these sets are the ones that should be over hauled as soon as possible. Rearrangement of the seating would also do good if more standing space was provided. More doors on these would also be nice.

The other two generations of rolling stock seem okay to me at the moment. :)The designs each have their own advantages and disadvantages, for sure.

But right now, KTM Komuter needs a serious increase in rolling stock. At the moment weekend passenger numbers are really increasing. Soon they will have to offer 6-car EMUs (2 couple 3-car emu trains) on the weekend as well.

Im curious that only the latest trains (the korean ones with 3 doors/side of each car) are coupled. Is KTM Komuter capable of coupling mixed rolling stock? Imagine coupling the Austrian-Jenbacher emu (1 door at the end of each car) with the South African-Union Carriage emu (2 doors/side). Those taking longer trips could board the Austrian, the shorter trips could board the South African.....

I'm seriously questioning the idea of extending KTM Komuter service from Rawang and Seremban tho...think about it...Seremban is 70 km from KL, Rawang is about the same....with the extensions? Seriously, how long do they want this line to be?

I think the best choice for the future of the KTM Komuter will be adding additional lines in the Klang Valley, rather than extensions...and they also have to get into the feeder bus business like the Hong Kong KCR.

Cheers, m

Just want to know when will the komuter reach Ipoh. This year? Or next year? Or delay again.

^^ Nope......I dun think they would use Komuter trains for long routes as Komuter coaches are meant for travelling within metro area. ;)

Although the pantographs and the tracks are the same, I guess they are gonna use electrified high-speed intercity trains that are wayyy faster than KTM Komuter trains :yes:
But they are doing it for Rawang-Ipoh.

Electrified Commuter Service :
KL-Shah Alam (Selangor)
KL-Seremban (Negri Sembilan)
KL-Ipoh (new) (Perak)

Good Job!... :)

Double tracking can help trains compete
Wednesday September 6, 2006
By BEH YUEN HUI
ThEstar

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/9/6/nation/n_p28lrt.jpg

OFF SHE GOES: Mohd Salleh giving the signal for
the Tumpat-bound train to leave the Gemas station recently.


GEMAS: KTM Bhd (KTMB) has to upgrade to double tracking to compete with the advanced road system, said managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah.

He said the train service was facing a bigger challenge now and could not survive with the single-track system.

“We can only operate 25 to 30 trains a day on a single-track line. But with the double-track system, we can run 290 trains daily and the travelling time will also be shortened,” he said.

He said while KTMB could not challenge the road system it could ensure passengers a safe and comfortable journey with amazing countryside scenery along the way.

Mohd Salleh said the company would not be able to generate good revenue and cope with diesel price increases with limited services.

However, KTMB must get approval from the Government for the double-tracking system as the overhead costs were very high, Mohd Salleh told reporters at the Gemas Train Station 100th anniversary celebrations and Merdeka Countdown recently.

He later flagged off a Tumpat-bound train with the Sultan and Sultanah of Kelantan on board.

Mohd Salleh said the cost to upgrade the Padang Besar-Ipoh line and the Seremban-Johor Baru line to double-tracking was estimated at RM17bil.

The Rawang-Seremban and Kuala Lumpur-Port Klang lines have already been upgraded, while the RM2.6bil Rawang-Ipoh project had been approved and should be completed by early 2008.

Mohd Salleh said that in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007 there would be 25% discount on train tickets within Malaysia from October to March. For details, visit the KTMB website at www.ktmb.com.my.

How about upgrading the trains to double decker trains???

How about upgrading the trains to double decker trains???

i guess we will have lots of news of trains being derailed after that :D

Maybe we can "donate" the trains to Borneo......and gov should build a transborneo railway........:okay:
i guess we will have lots of news of trains being derailed after that :D

Hmmm, so longer commuter lines eh? Does that mean that it will then be the Tanjong Malim - Sungei Gadut line instead of the Tanjong Malim/Rawang - Seremban line? Lol, ok. Anyway, I think KTM needs two things at the moment.

1) More commuter train sets
2) Longer commuter train sets (like 4 cars per train or something)

They could get rid of the original series that they used since 1995 or at least make adjustments to those sets. The single doors restrict passenger movement quite a bit and I think these sets are the ones that should be over hauled as soon as possible. Rearrangement of the seating would also do good if more standing space was provided. More doors on these would also be nice.

The other two generations of rolling stock seem okay to me at the moment. :)


KTM should seriously consider alternative plans in running their day-to-day operations. Some stops in the Klang Valley have so little passengers and some too many.

A probable one is to have the trains numbered like buses to indicate the stations it will stop. Perhaps this way, the load can be evenly balanced. I hope KTM has all that data available for such an implementation, which I think they should have considering everthing is electronic. This is like "railway multiplexing" (like multiplexing in electronics engineering).

Likely marked improvement is that more passengers will get seats and shorter commuting time.

09-11-2006: Ipoh-Padang Besar railway under PFI
By Kevin Tan

The proposed Ipoh-Padang Besar double-track railway line will be under a private finance initiative (PFI) scheme, if it is revived, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said.

He said on Nov 9 that MMC Corporation Bhd and Gamuda Bhd had presented their proposal to revive the 330-km project, to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure on Nov 7.

The project which is reported to cost about RM9 billion, was shelved in late 2003.

“The government needs to look into it in a more detailed manner. They (MMC-Gamuda) made a presentation and EPU (Economic Planning Unit) has been tasked to look into the details, especially the financial aspect, together with MoF (Ministry of Finance),” he added.

Chan said that the EPU and MoF would provide their feedback to the Cabinet along with their suggestions within two months.

On the project’s cost, he said it would not be appropriate to disclose more details until the EPU and MoF provided their findings. However, Reuters has reported that MMC-Gamuda had proposed to spend up to RM9 billion for the project.

Chan had earlier attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between representatives of Dong Nai’s Provincial Government in Vietnam and Berjaya Land Bhd, Salcon Engineering Bhd and NV Multi Corporation Bhd in Kuala Lumpur.

Dong Nai’s delegation head Ding Quoc Thai said the province would offer up to US$1 billion (RM3.65 billion) worth of infrastructure projects to investors, including those from Malaysia.

Currently, there were 27 Malaysian projects amounting to US$860 million in Dong Nai, he added.

Malaysia is the third largest investor in the province and an industrial park dedicated for Malaysian companies has been mooted. Dong Nai needs to build ports, bridges, highways and airports, as investments pour into the region.

Perak State Assembly: State wants double-track railway to be linked to KL Sentral
22 Nov 2006
P. Chandra Sagaran

IPOH, WED:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perak has proposed that the Ipoh-Rawang double-track railway be extended to Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

Doing so would mean that airline passengers from Perak can board the Express Rail Link to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

He was speaking to reporters during a break at the State Assembly sitting here today, after being asked in the House about the Sultan Azlan Shah airport being under-utilised.

The only flights from the airport are to Medan on Jakarta-based Kartika Airlines three times a week.

Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib (Slim) asked why a proposed extension of the airport runway had not begun.

“If there are no flights to and from Ipoh, then it is not viable to extend the runway and upgrade the facilities,” said Tajol Rosli.

Perak is now considering airlines that could offer flights to Singapore, Medan, Acheh, Pekan Baru, Haadyai, Bangkok, South India and South China, he added.

The State government had asked for federal funding for the runway extension and other works, estimated to cost RM40 million.

However, the Federal Government has not made any allocation or earmarked any assistance for the extension, he said.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia had pulled its operations out of the airport, saying the runway was too short for large aircraft.

KTM should seriously consider alternative plans in running their day-to-day operations. Some stops in the Klang Valley have so little passengers and some too many.

A probable one is to have the trains numbered like buses to indicate the stations it will stop. Perhaps this way, the load can be evenly balanced. I hope KTM has all that data available for such an implementation, which I think they should have considering everthing is electronic. This is like "railway multiplexing" (like multiplexing in electronics engineering).

Likely marked improvement is that more passengers will get seats and shorter commuting time.

I conveyed this suggestion in the KTMrailwayfan forum and this is their reply

'The railway 'multiplexing' is to an extent already implmented - with the express / limited stop service between Sentul and Seremban, and another service between Kajang and Kepong.'

Hmmm...That's great to hear KTM has indeed have that multiplexing, but I wonder why they don't disseminate this to the public, or at least remind the public of this service once in a while, particularly for the Port Klang-Sentul line.

I wonder how Mumbai manages their packed commuter trains on just 2 lines converging into the city centre. WIll KTM be as speedy as theirs? Maybe I'll need to read up more about that.

KTM Introduces New Year Commuter Tickets

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) will introduce special tickets for its commuter service from Jan 1 until the end of the Visit Malaysia Year campaign in December 2007.

The ticket, called KTM Komuter Tourist Ticket, can be used to go to any destination on its network in one day, KTM said in a statement.

The tickets are priced at RM12 for adults and RM6 for senior citizens and children aged four to 12 years (RM6). Children below four years can travel free.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the New Year eve celebrations, the commuter services will be extended until 2.30 am on Jan 1 with a service every 20 minutes.

-- BERNAMA

In Toronto, GO Transit is a high-speed, commuter rail service. A few years ago, they started running express services from the suburbs to the city, and the city to the suburbs.

The reason was simple...after a certain point, the trains would be packed and there would be no more room for commuters...

So now, some trains run express into and out of the city centre, but run locally in the suburban areas.

Now, KTM doesnt offer a high speed morning and evening commuter rail service...except for the few express trains....mostly KTM Komuter is a regular daily train service...not a high-speed commuter...

but KTM could expand on their high speed commuter service....why not organize the new high speed express services together under a new service brand?

KTMB could redesign their services...introducing "KTM Komuter Baru" (or "KTM Komuter Ekspres") , a frequent, high speed, morning and evening commuter service, stopping at the major stations only (not the halts).

It could also include the new Ipoh-KL express service, and express service from Seremban and Rawang and Pel. Klang.

For example, from Pel. Klang, the express train could stop only at Klang, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, KL Sentral, and Kuala Lumpur (and, I suppose, continue on to Sentul and Batu Caves, if they keep the current route)

The existing KTM Komuter service could be retained, but renamed to something that emphasize that it is offering local service...perhaps KTM ST (Servis Tempatan)

This local service would stop at all stations and halts, and retain the same service frequency (15 minutes) all day.

What are your thoughts on this idea of "KTM Komuter Baru"?

Cheers, m

Improve commuter service of all line!

KTMB could redesign their services...introducing "KTM Komuter Baru" (or "KTM Komuter Ekspres") , a frequent, high speed, morning and evening commuter service, stopping at the major stations only (not the halts).

It could also include the new Ipoh-KL express service, and express service from Seremban and Rawang and Pel. Klang.

For example, from Pel. Klang, the express train could stop only at Klang, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, KL Sentral, and Kuala Lumpur (and, I suppose, continue on to Sentul and Batu Caves, if they keep the current route)

The existing KTM Komuter service could be retained, but renamed to something that emphasize that it is offering local service...perhaps KTM ST (Servis Tempatan)

This local service would stop at all stations and halts, and retain the same service frequency (15 minutes) all day.

What are your thoughts on this idea of "KTM Komuter Baru"?

Cheers, m

If this to happen, a dedicated dual-track for the so-called high speed rapid train need to be laid out.

Using the same track would defect the whole purpose of having a rapid service because the speed and frequency will be governed by the much slower service train.

If this to happen, a dedicated dual-track for the so-called high speed rapid train need to be laid out.

Using the same track would defect the whole purpose of having a rapid service because the speed and frequency will be governed by the much slower service train.sure...but where is there single track in the Klang Valley? As far as I know, all the tracks between stations are double tracked and electrified, and each station and halt in the Klang Valley has either 3 or 4 tracks...

With proper scheduling and switching, 3 tracks is all that is really needed to operate an express service....

Cheers, m

sure...but where is there single track in the Klang Valley? As far as I know, all the tracks between stations are double tracked and electrified, and each station and halt in the Klang Valley has either 3 or 4 tracks...

With proper scheduling and switching, 3 tracks is all that is really needed to operate an express service....

Cheers, m

What I was trying to say in order to have 2 services (express and local) the rail system need to be expanded. Another double track running in parallel with the existing one need to be put in place.

In Japan, there are numerous lines that run in parallel - one for the rapid service and the other for local service (stops at every station). For example, 2 lines (Chuo and Sobu) originate from from Chiba and run in parallel for 30-40 km towards Tokyo city. They run on totally separate tracks. :cheers:

What I was trying to say in order to have 2 services (express and local) the rail system need to be expanded. Another double track running in parallel with the existing one need to be put in place.

In Japan, there are numerous lines that run in parallel - one for the rapid service and the other for local service (stops at every station). For example, 2 lines (Chuo and Sobu) originate from from Chiba and run in parallel for 30-40 km towards Tokyo city. They run on totally separate tracks. :cheers:Sure thing...but would that be necessary for the KTM Komuter?

If the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA transit can run trains on 2 tracks with bypasses at the stations...can KTM not do so? Of course, a lot of new infrastructure needed, and perhaps more trackage...but not that much

Cheers, m

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797raja_gigi.jpg?2112

Strongman V. Rathakrishnan pulling a 260.8-tonne KTM Komuter train for several
metres to enter his name in the record books in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.


‘Raja Gigi’ breaks 40-year world record


KUALA LUMPUR: Strongman V. Rathakrishnan, better known as Raja Gigi (Tooth King) , completed a successful attempt at a new world record when he pulled a KTM Komuter train comprising six coaches and weighing 260.8 tonnes for a distance of 4.2m using his teeth and jaws yesterday.

The feat has been certified by the Malaysia Book of Records and will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records soon for certification as a world record.

Rathakrishnan, 37, said he pulled the coaches a metre more than what he had set out to do (3.2m), and said the extra metre was motivated by the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who witnessed the event at the KTM Berhad (KTMB) station here yesterday.
“I looked at the PM’s (Dr Mahathir) face a few times before I started pulling the coaches,”
“I focused my mind on pulling the train after looking at Dr Mahathir’s face and it didn’t seem a great effort to me when the coaches started inching away as I pulled the rope that was attached to the front Komuter car,”

Also present were the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Rathakrishnan dedicated his feat to Dr Mahathir, whom he said had inspired Malaysians to inculcate the Malaysia Boleh spirit.

“My advice to Malaysians is never say I don’t want to and I cannot,” said Rathakrishnan, who had been training for 15 months with KTMB to break the world record set by a Belgian, Walter Arfeuille, whose record stands at 200.8 tonnes over 3m in the late 1960s.

The event was organised by YZ Alliance Group and sponsored by KTMB and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
Rathakrishnan, who was presented the certificate by Dr Mahathir, said he promised the Prime Minister that he would attempt to break or set five other world records after this.
The former personal bodyguard left his job to train for this feat.

He regularly does jaw exercises, yoga, gym workouts, jogging and long-distance brisk walking and also attributes his fitness to a diet which comprises 90% vegetarian dishes.
He also abstains from hot and spicy food and cold drinks.

Previously he had also pulled a KTMB coach weighing 37.35 tonnes for a distance of 8.37m in Klang in 2001, lifted weights of 130kg from the floor using his teeth (also in 2001) and pulled a 10.8 tonne bus at the Tampin Train station about 10 years ago.

“Next I probably want to use my teeth to keep a flying helicopter from pulling off the ground,” said Rathakrishnan, who is still single.

YZ Alliance deputy group chief executive chairman Mohd Zamri Mohammad said Rathakrishnan had also been invited to London to attempt similar feats.

Datuk Danny Ooi, chief executive officer of Malaysia Book of Records said Rathakrishnan’s world record would be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for certification along with over 20 record breaking feats by Malaysians.

by Sani Rahman

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/403147407_3a34121204_o.jpg

Subang Jaya Station

http://i18.tinypic.com/472e5nk.jpg

April 21, 2007 15:19 PM
KL-Ipoh Fast Train Service To Start Early Next Year

RAWANG, April 21 (Bernama) -- A fast train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh will begin early next year after the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking project is fully completed by yearend.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the travelling time under the new service would be two hours 15 minutes as the train had to stop at several stations along the route such as in Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Tapah, Kampar and Batu Gajah.

"When the Rawang-Ipoh electrified double track project is fully completed, a new practice may emerge where people working in Kuala Lumpur will opt to live in suburban areas like Tanjung Malim or even Ipoh and commute using a train," he said when opening the Rasa KTM Komuter station and launching the Rawang-Rasa KTM Komuter service today.

He said this situation would not be impossible because it happened in Seremban where many of its residents used KTM Komuter to go to work in Kuala Lumpur daily.

Moreover, Chan said, the service was in line with the government's effort to encourage the use of public transport and avoid traffic jams and help reduce road accidents.

Phase One of the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking project from Rawang to Rasa, spanning 26km, was fully completed at the end of last year and started operations today through the Rawang-Rasa KTM Komuter service.

The public can use the new service for free from today until May 2. It starts from 5.45am until 9.30pm daily with 30 minute frequency.

"We hope the public will take this opportunity and bring their families and friends on sightseeing and leisure tours using public transport," Chan said.

-- BERNAMA

^^

Are they going to use new trainsets or the existing KTM Komuter trainsets?

KTM will buy new trainsets for the Ipoh-KL service.:)

More news in the railtransit thread
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=12777775#post12777775

-edit-

Hello
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9176/foto3us8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ what's that??

This is old news an article but do u think KTMB will stick to the Pendolino deal?

Fiat Ferroviaria - wins $120.3 million contract to supply trains to KTMB in Malaysia - Brief Article
Railway Age, Dec, 1996

FIAT FERROVIARIA of Italy edged out Japanese competition to win a $120.3 million contract to supply seven Pendolino (tilting) trains to the Malaysian railway company, KTMB. The contract, announced Nov. 13, carries an option for an additional 15 six-car trains. Fiat called the contract "the first in its class throughout Asia." The high speed tilting trains will go into service in 1999, cutting travel time on the 108-mile Ipoh-Rwang line from three hours and ten minutes to less than two hours.
Advertisement

COPYRIGHT 1996 Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_n12_v197/ai_19007745

Other articles
http://www.madeinfiat.com/novdec96/newsj.htm
http://161.139.39.251/akhbar/railroads/1997/bh97703.htm

KTMB to tap French firm’s expertise

April 18, 2007

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SNCF International, a subsidiary of the French national railway company, to draw on the latter’s expertise in rail-related matters.

The MOU will see the two companies work together on rail-related consultation, assistance and advisory services. This will include training services and railway visits. "Basically, it’s more on advisory, consultancy and training," KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah told reporters after the signing ceremony at the French embassy in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

SNCF International was represented by its president and chief executive officer Jean-Pierre Loubinoux. It’s possible that KTMB may get funding from the French Government for consultancy and training programmes conducted by SNCF, Mohd Salleh said.

This may involve "a few million ringgit", he said, declining to elaborate.

SNCF, which carries 800 million passengers and 130 million tonnes of freight every year, is one of the main contributors to railway development around the world. The company was set up some nine years ago to contribute to the operation and maintenance of rail networks outside of France, and to assist in the creation of new railway routes.

Its cooperation with KTMB will open windows of opportunity for the latter to explore new technology in rail operations, infrastructure and rolling stock. Meanwhile, asked if YTL Corp’s proposed high-speed train project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore would affect KTMB’s operations, Mohd Salleh replied, "It may or it may not".

He pointed out, however, that high- speed trains catered mainly to business travellers, whereas KTMB provi- des service for a different category.

"We don’t have high speed, but we still believe that we can provide a reasonable level of comfort at a very affordable price," he said.

On whether KTMB would work together with YTL on the KL-Singapore project, he said the rail operator has been providing its input to the Government as and when it was required to. It has had no direct dealings with YTL thus far.

Regardless of what decision the Government makes on the project, KTMB will continue to improve its services, he added.

"That’s why we’re encouraging the Government to help to double track the lines, right up from Padang Besar to Johor. We need to improve our services," he remarked. He said that in the later part of 2008 or 2009, KTMB would be starting up an express train that would run from KL Sentral to Ipoh, and vice versa.

The Government is currently negotiating with the contractor on the technical and financial terms of the project, he added.

Source: www.btimes.com.my
http://www.ambafrance-my.org/article.php3?id_article=753

Report: India's Ircon to take part in multibillion-dollar railway project in Malaysia
The Associated Press
Published: April 21, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: State-owned Indian construction company Ircon will help Malaysia revive a multibillion-dollar rail project that had been shelved in 2003 due to its high cost, Malaysia's transport minister said Saturday, according to a report.

Ircon, which was previously involved in the project, will participate in the construction of a double-track line between the towns of Seremban and Gemas in southern Malaysia, Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy was quoted as saying by the national news agency Bernama.

Chan did not elaborate on details of the financial cost or length of the rail track. Officials at Chan's office were not available to comment on the report.

The Seremban-Gemas stretch forms part of what had been conceived as Malaysia's largest-ever infrastructure project, comprising a 320-kilometer (200-mile) electrified line between the towns of Ipoh and Padang Besar in northern Malaysia and a 310-kilometer (190-mile) line between Seremban and Johor Bahru in southern Malaysia.

The entire project — previously estimated to cost 14.45 billion ringgit (US$3.8 billion; €2.9 billion) — was put aside in late 2003 after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over from former leader Mahathir Mohamad, who had approved it.:bash:

The Malaysian government announced last month it was reviving the project, and that the northern link would be implemented by local private construction companies MMC and Gamuda.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said recently that Malaysia had sent a letter of intent to India to participate in the southern line, and India was expected to appoint a qualified company.

On Saturday, Chan said the whole project is expected to be completed within five years, but declined to reveal the latest estimate for its cost, because negotiations with MMC, Gamuda and Ircon had not been completed.

"There will be a positive impact on the transportation sector as well as tourism," Chan was quoted as saying by Bernama. "It can also help us reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and environmental issues."

Abdullah had said in 2003 that the project would cost too much, and put it on hold to reduce Malaysia's budget deficit.

The project was mired in controversy even before. Mahathir's government originally signed letters of intent granting large shares of the project to Ircon and China Railway Engineering Corp. Mahathir broke the preliminary agreement after three years of negotiations, saying their bids were too high.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/21/business/AS-FIN-Malaysia-India-Rail-Project.php

This is old news an article but do u think KTMB will stick to the Pendolino deal?



The company that makes Pendolino now is Alstom, is it?

Does KTM ever consider other trains such as Hitachi or Siemens?

^I am not aware of any narrow gauge HST from either Hitachi or Siemens.Do you?

At least there are Narrow gauge Pendolinos operating in England(Virgin).

Another alternative is the Bombardier Velocity DMUs(maximum speed:160km/h) that operates on the Vline in Victoria,Australia,if they have the EMU version that is.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8d/Vlocity_exterior.jpg

^^

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/CombinedTrack.jpg

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrow_gauge

Er, from Hitachi, well i think i did saw this...

Source : http://www.hitachi-rail.com/about_us/delivery/rail_vehicles/tilt_train/index.html

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3562/a1di2.png

It is not high speed though, since the planned double track is about 160 km/h, i could just think of this.......

Will that be able to run on our metre-gauge tracks?

I hope when KTM starts the new service, they could offer WI-FI service on their trainset....

Oh dear,so the Vline is standard gauge :bash: .I knew that OZ has a narrow gayge fast train and I tot it is the Vline while it's supposed to be the QR.

Yes,these trains(speed 160km/h) are considered fast trains rather than HST, but the Virgin Pendolino can go as fast as 220km/h or maybe as fast as 270km/h in the future after they upgrade/improve their tracks,so the meter gauge Pendolino is considered considered as a HST.

^^

Does KTM ever stated their requirements when they wanted to buy a new trainset?

I hope they can still keep up with their Pendolino order.......

Interesting comparison between Japanese and European tilting train system...

http://www.hitachi-rail.com/products/rv/tilting/features/index_5.html

IMO,I say the Pendolino is most likely,KTMB will need those 6-7 trainsets by next year and it is quite unlikely and stupid if they wanna make another time consuming selection process right now.

I ave passed this question to the ktmraiwayfan forum in the past and they say they are also not sure and stick to the Pendolino deal or wait until KTMB(or rather the Transport Minitsry who makes the decision) make a statement on this matter.

In comparing the Pendolino with Japanese tilting trains,IMO Pendolino have the advantage as it's more widely used arund the world especially in Europe and China, while Hitachi trains only limited to Japan and OZ AFAK.

I think the Virgin trains are also a tried and tested model. Plus, you could say that Britain's background is rather similar to the local one. Trains needed to go faster while still using the old alignment that was curvy, hence the use of pendolinoes to take the curves at higher speeds.

On another hand, no pictures of the new Rawang - Rasa shuttle? :(

Since the news of Pendolino being ordered by KTM was in late 1996.......it has more than a decade since the date of the article, is there any indications that our Pendolino has been actually built or still not being produced yet? I think now ALSTOM got new Pendolino model.......so i am wondering whether of our order actually being produced in factory or not...

I hope KTM can at least try to increase operational speed of their tiliting train (if they still ordering Pendolino) from 160km/h to say.....180 km/h or 200 km/h.....

^Virgin will try to increase the speed of their trains by improving and strengthening of their aging UK tracks and possibly using newer generation trains(gotta love and trust technology), hence since the Rawang-Ipoh line is relatively new,I believe it is highly possible that our trains could exceed 200km/h in the future :) .

It is interesting that Virgin ordered theirs in 1997.Hope KTMB learnt much from Virgin Trains during the 10 years of delay.

With the tilting train, i can visit Perak on weekly basis....i am curious of KTM decision on their interior appointment in their new train, things that i like to see is...

-WIFI
- On board messaging system (informing the passenger on the real time speed)
- On-board entertainment (i think Virgin trains got this)

With these, it would enjoyable to ride their new train....

^That's where SNCF comes in I hope.:)

Here's some more info on the virgin trains.

TILTING TRAINS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

UK services benefiting from tilting technology are operated by Virgin Trains. From 2002, Virgin Cross Country has introduced its Bombardier Class 221 Super Voyager diesel trains. Class 390 Pendolino EMUs built by Alstom and using Fiat tilt systems are being introduced on the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

The first two pre-series Class 390 trains were exhaustively tested at Alstom's Asfordby test track in Leicestershire and then moved to the WCML in October 2001 for main line trials between Carlisle and Carnforth. In December 2001 the first production trains were handed over to Virgin by Alstom on schedule and on budget. After pre-service tests at Asfordby the first trains entered service between Manchester and Stafford in July 2002, followed eventually by full service between London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland in 2003.

The 390s have a maximum speed of 225km/h (140mph), but will initially run at 200km/h (125mph) between London, the north-west of England and Scotland. Full speed was planned to be possible on completion of the West Coast Route Modernisation in 2006, however this now looks unlikely after the collapse of infrastructure owner Railtrack in October 2001. 200km/h (125mph) is the likely maximum now, but even this is delayed and the 390s will run at 177km/h (110mph) until infrastructure upgrades are complete in 2003.

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/Tilting/

I would prefer Hitachi because it was proven in Japan Narrow Gauge Track. While Pendolino is not really tested in any narrow gauge track.

On another hand, no pictures of the new Rawang - Rasa shuttle? :(
Im gonna give it a try on May 1 or 2

Got to say, I do like the way they found a compromise...I was worried that they would just extend the EMU's up directly....turns out they cant do it at the moment :p So the shuttle is a good compromise to get rail service to Rasa in place without affecting the KTM Komuter EMU service

Any information about improvements to On-Time performance for intercity trains for the stretch between KL and Ipoh? I would love to know how much the service has improved thanks to the double tracking.....

Cheers, m

I would prefer Hitachi because it was proven in Japan Narrow Gauge Track. While Pendolino is not really tested in any narrow gauge track.

Virgin in the UK have been operating Pendolinos on narrow hauge for almost 10 years now.:)

ktmrailwayfan forum is closed for upgrades now until 8th May,if not we would have more definite answers to our questions and more pics now.:nuts:

KTM Komuter's cousins in Japan on narrow gauge. I dunno why I pasted it here but I like them...imagine these trains in KTM livery!!! I actually prefer flat face trains like Jenbacher and these Japanese trains.



JR Chuo Sobu line
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Ochanomizu_Station_May_2005-1.jpg/800px-Ochanomizu_Station_May_2005-1.jpg
Tokyu Den-en-toshi
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Tokyu-5000-3.jpg/800px-Tokyu-5000-3.jpg

^^

I like the one on the 2nd photo....front looks simple but smooth!

Nwes from ktmrailwayfan forum


Statement from the Managing Director himself, taken from the New Straits Times 9th April 2007.

http://aycu33.webshots.com/image/17112/2000268474852470664_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000268474852470664)

More news

Another interview with the Managing Director, taken from the New Straits Times 9th April 2007.

http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/17023/2000230412216761913_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000230412216761913)
http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/14681/2000243706259517058_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000243706259517058)

Took this from the General news on Public Transit thread....


Komuter’s new routes well- received
By AYU MUSA KAMAL

THE latest routes provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (http://www.ktmb.com.my/Article.asp?Id=2130) have recorded an average of 600 passengers daily since the end of its free trial period on May 2.

The services, which have been extended from Rawang to Rasa were introduced on April 21.

“We started the services with free rides.

“Commuters started paying for the routes on May 3,” KTMB public relations manager Shahriza Embi told The Malay Mail yesterday.

“We are anticipating the number of passengers to increase, especially from the positive feedback given by the public,” said Shahriza.

“We received a lot of requests from the public for more types of public transport to be introduced.

“Those staying further from Rawang said driving can be a problem as the trunk roads are jammed while the highways can be costly,” said Shahriza.

She said the fare from Serendah, Batang Kali and Rasa to KL Sentral is RM4.30, RM4.90 and RM5.10 respectively.

According to her, the facilities provided at the stations are slightly different from those in the Klang Valley.

She said the turnstyles and ticketing machines are different while the platforms are covered.

There are also covered overhead pedestrian crossings.

“The ticketing machines are touch screens, which is the latest trend, and the facilities are state-of-the-art,” she said.

Shahriza said KTMB set up a team to meet the public and they would be holding exhibitions, carnivals and talks to promote the new stops.

“There will be safety and anti-vandalism awareness campaigns.

“We hope the public will be responsible and not vandalise the facilities as they are for the public’s convenience.”

sounds very interesting. Like I said, time for some stats on performance for trains bound for the north and bound from the north to KL.

Cheers, m

I've been querieing ktmrailwayfan about the transrapid trains that will serve KL-Ipoh. Here are some of the responses.

Like I said, they have not finalised the manufacturer the last time I checked (which is some months ago). Apart from the six 6-car EMUs and them being 25kv AC 50Hz single phase overhead compatible I think I'd wait for more authoritative sources to say it before I do. :wink:
^^ The answer I got some months ago

FIAT so I heard won the tender. As I have said before, there is no confirmation as to whether Pendolinos or otherwise will be used. During the initial years of the project, yes, Pendolinos were proposed. Now there is no definite word. Engineers I talked too all gave me the 'unlikely' look. All that is known is that there will be six 6-car EMUs, with (IIRC) 4 MCs and 2 TCs.
^^ Recent answer

So if not Pendolinos..then what ar? Fiat,Bombardier..Hitachi?

So if not Pendolinos..then what ar? Fiat,Bombardier..Hitachi?

Fiat (the creator of the Pendolino) has been actually bought by Alstom in 2002....

Fiat (the creator of the Pendolino) has been actually bought by Alstom in 2002....

OMG..i dun think I know that though I know ALstom also build Pendolinos :bash: .

Since it's like that,I guess the plan to buy from Fiat was nullified.

I don't know whether this train suited for narrow gauge or not....but personally i think this is nice..

The Switzerland ICN Tilting Train from Bombardier...

http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/3628/2_Intercity_ICN.jpg

OMG..i dun think I know that though I know ALstom also build Pendolinos :bash: .

Since it's like that,I guess the plan to buy from Fiat was nullified.

Still, Alstom continues to produce and support many of Fiat Ferroviaria's products.

I don't know whether this train suited for narrow gauge or not....but personally i think this is nice..

The Switzerland ICN Tilting Train from Bombardier...

http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/3628/2_Intercity_ICN.jpg

Bombardier? This is a surprise..I always thought they use Pendolinos coz they have some Italian trains there(which I assumed are Fiat Pendolinos).

I am curious since our KTM is a metre gauge (1000 mm) and the normal Japanese rail is 1067 mm, both are narrow gauge railtrack...i wonder what is the step needed for those Japanese narrow gauge trains to be operable on our metre gauge railtracks?

http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr08/pdf/photo.pdf

An interesting list of JR narrow gauge express trains...

Kajang station (upgrade) new
by KonstantineChoo of ktmrailwayfan.com

http://www.ktmrailwayfan.com/pics/data/media/70/104_4157i.jpg

http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr08/pdf/photo.pdf

An interesting list of JR narrow gauge express trains...

Is the Series 251 EMU Super Viwe Odoriko a double decker narrow gauge trains!!!

http://jtrains.fotopic.net/p853808.html

If yes, KTM should get that!!!

I am curious since our KTM is a metre gauge (1000 mm) and the normal Japanese rail is 1067 mm, both are narrow gauge railtrack...i wonder what is the step needed for those Japanese narrow gauge trains to be operable on our metre gauge railtracks?

Are u sure? I think Japan and Malaysia narrow gauge same.

Are u sure? I think Japan and Malaysia narrow gauge same.

Oh, i must be mistaken then...

Well, in the JR narrow gauge express train list......i like the series 251 as it is a narrow gauge double decker train, i think KTMB should try to look at this if they want to maximise their passenger capacity on their track...

The series 681 looks the most beautiful of all the train in that list....

new design for the roof structure is going up at Subang Jaya KTM....finally, passengers will be protected from the sun and the rain....

sadly, the bridge to nowhere at Seri Setia is still not finished

cheers, m

Source : http://thestar.com.my/maritime/story.asp?file=/2007/6/4/maritime/17897745&sec=maritime

Increase in freight revenue

By SHARIDAN MOHD ALI

sharidan@thestar.com.my

KERETAPI Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), which expects to achieve freight revenue of RM130mil this year, forecasts a revenue to increase five-fold by 2012, when all of its double-tracking projects are completed.

Currently only the Rawang-Rasa double tracking project has been completed and it is expected to contribute RM2.5mil to RM3mil to KTMB's top line this year.

The Rawang-Ipoh and Tanjung Malim-Ipoh tracks will be ready for use by year-end.

By the middle of next year, commuter services will be extended up to Tanjung Malim.

Also, KTMB will provide express train service from Ipoh to KL Sentral.

The much-anticipated Ipoh-Padang Besar double track will start construction as soon as it is officially approved by the Government.

The construction of the massive double tracking project spanning 338km will take five years. The project is vital for the development of KTMB's freight unit as 80% of the volume comes from the northern part of the peninsula.

Its freight unit contributed 38.8% to the group's total revenue last year. The group expects its overall revenue to reach RM302mil this year.

KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said the Ipoh-Padang Besar double tracking project would enhance its land bridge operation from Bangkok to Port Klang, cement cargo transportation to and from Kinta, the performance of the inland container depot in Ipoh, and the cargo flow from southern Thailand to Penang.

Last year its freight unit handled about 1.4 billion tonnes of goods or 4.4 million tonnes per km.

“Once we complete the Ipoh-Padang Besar tracking, which means the trains can be electrically powered, we will consider rendering a rapid train service.

'The extra intercity coaches can be used to improve our operations in the east coast,” he said.

Come 2012, the company is also looking forward to re-brand its intercity and freight services.

“For freight, we prefer to move things by big bulk that occupies our 30 wagons per trip,” he said.

This is a win-win situation for KTMB as well as the customers as the train would be fully utilised and the cost is 30% cheaper than using road transportation.

There is also 22% savings in fuel cost compared to road transport when carrying the same volume of cargo.

Despite the bright prospects, the company has recorded net losses since the escalation of oil diesel price four years ago that increased their operational cost. It could not increase its rates due to the Government-controlled tariff structure.

“We really need to review the current tariff because it is too low.

“It would be wise if we can determine our own fee structure to compete with the maritime, aviation and commercial road transportation sectors,” he said.

The price of diesel rose from 78 sen in 2003 to the current RM1.80 per litre.

“We are very thankful for the Government's fuel subsidy, but it is not enough.

“For example, the cement rail transportation tariff has not changed since 1992,” he said.

Thus, Mohd Salleh said, KTMB had to reduce its operation costs such as by proper driving techniques, just-in-time operation and prioritising on bulk freight.

KTMB does not dismiss the possibility of completely using electric trains in its operations in order to be less dependent on diesel.

Mohd Salleh explained that compared to diesel trains, electric trains would be more efficient and environmentally friendly.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/6/4/maritime/mt_ktmtrack.jpg

MMC, Gamuda get green light for northern double-track deal
By Goh Thean Eu
gohtheaneu@nstp.com.my

June 7 2007

AN EQUAL partnership between MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd has received the green light from the Government to build the much awaited multi-billion ringgit double-track railway project in northern Peninsular Malaysia.

The joint venture received a letter from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's department, stating that the Government has agreed to its double-tracking project proposal.

"The Government and both companies will commence negotiations on the formal agreement of the project as soon as possible," said MMC and Gamuda said in statements to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

The 330km railway project, which will be initially funded privately, connects Ipoh in Perak to Padang Besar in Perlis.

Besides the letter from EPU, both companies also received a letter from Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTM) on Monday.

"The letter basically allows us to enter KTM's land and engage in soil testing as well as land acquisition on behalf of the Government," a company official said. "However, the entire project cost has yet to be finalised."

The project, which is set to take five years to complete, is expected to boost the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak economically.

Analysts generally welcomed the news, but were notentirely surprised.

"The market was somewhat already expecting it since last year," said an AmResearch analyst. It places a "buy" call on Gamuda with a target price of RM9.65.

The Government had postponed the project in late 2003 to reduce the national budget deficit.

Gamuda shares on Bursa Malaysia yesterday closed 15 sen, or 1.6 per cent, higher at RM9.10 while MMC shares closed unchanged at RM8.

Gamuda and MMC shares have gained 78.4 per cent and 98 per cent so far this year, outperforming the broader market's 25 per cent gain.

KTM needs new train, high speed, no overnight whatsoever............yeah, the service of KTM is poor.........

Let's see if they really going to improve with the double tracks.

June 12, 2007 17:13 PM

KTMB Mulls A Rail Link To Terengganu Via Mentakab And Kuantan

GEMAS, June 12 (Bernama) -- Rail services operator KTM Bhd (KTMB) is studying a rail link to Terengganu, managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said Tuesday.

The proposal envisions a rail link from Mentakab to Kuantan and on to Terengganu. KTMB's rail connection to Kelantan from here passes through Mentakab.

"This study is being undertaken within the context of national transportation planning," he told reporters after a demonstration of KTMB's Emergency Response Plan at the railway station here.

The study, he said, is for regular rail services and not the commuter service.

Petronas has built a rail line for cargo transportation at the Kerteh industrial area in Terengganu but its trains are operated by KTMB.

On another note, Mohd Salleh said the government allocated RM170 million last January to overhaul 50 commuter trains to improve the quality of this service, which about 100,000 people use daily, double that in 2001.

The overhaul work will begin with two train sets in October, and it will take 55 months for work on all the train sets to be completed.

"We expect to provide better quality commuter service by year end, but we must appreciate the problems the service has faced since the privatisation of management which resulted in a reduction of allocations for operations," he stressed.

Problems, he added, also arose due to improper management of trains "from before" and due to difficulties in obtaining spare parts for trains bought from Hungary, Korea and South Africa.

"We need government involvement in managing the upgrading of service because it is not as easy as looking after a car," he pointed out. "We also need time because managing the (rail) services is not easy."

According to Mohd Salleh, the commuter services are operationally viable and are expected to reach the break even point by year-end.

KTMB, he said, will ensure that the scheduled services are on time because the downtime due to repairs will be reduced.

KTMB has 62 trains of which four have been written off due to accidents, while for eight others, KTMB is studying whether it is worth repairing them. The other 50 trains are in good condition.

He said 35 trains operate daily while the others are on scheduled services or are on standby.

"When commuter traffic increased after petrol prices rose in March last year, we needed to have 40 trains operating daily but we have yet to achieve this," he added.

Other problems which disrupted services included theft of power cables, vandalism and illegal crossing of railway tracks.

Mohd Salleh said present plans for the commuter service are to extend it to Tanjung Malim by year-end and to Batu Caves after that.

On the Seremban-Gemas double-tracking project, he said the government expects to receive technical and financial proposals in mid-July and the winning bid for the project is expected to be decided on within six months after that.

"Only with double tracking can KTMB expand," he stressed. "KTMB cannot be expected to stick to a single track network and yet improve its services."

He pointed out that rail transportation of cargo is up to 77 percent cheaper than road transport.

-- BERNAMA

^^

Great! They should look into reconnecting rails to Melaka too.......

KTMB to improve services
Wednesday June 13, 2007
TheStar


GEMAS: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) realises that people are unhappy with its Komuter train services but is working towards rectifying this.

KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah admitted that the Komuter train services had deteriorated in recent years but said the reason was beyond their control.

He said the root of the problem was that the maintenance and overhaul of the 50 Komuter trains were long overdue.

“When the management of KTMB was corporatised in the late 1990s, a lot of the maintenance work was deferred.

“Trains which were supposed to have been overhauled after running a million kilometres are on the tracks today,” he said, adding that none of the Komuter trains had actually been overhauled as required by the maintenance schedule.

To make matters worse, he said the Komuter trains were imported from three countries – South Africa, Hungary and South Korea.

“It has also been difficult for us to maintain three different types of models which come with different configurations and operating manuals,” he said.

Citing an example, he said KTMB had difficulties buying spare parts for the first 18 sets acquired from Hungary as the firm had since ceased operations.

“Due to this, we had to cannibalise parts from the other trains,” he told reporters after launching KTMB’s Emergency Response Plan at the KTM station here.

With six trains out due to accidents and several more undergoing minor maintenance works, only 38 of the 62 Komuter trains are now operating regularly.

Mohd Salleh said the Government had earlier this year approved an allocation of RM170mil for the overhauling and maintenance of the 50 Komuter trains.

“We hope to begin doing work on two sets every month beginning October,” he said, adding that the ideal number operating at any one time should be at least 40 Komuter trains.

On another matter, Mohd Salleh said the Government had issued the letter of intent for the electrification and double-tracking of the Gemas-Seremban route.

“Interested companies have been asked to submit their proposals by mid-July and we expect the tender to be awarded by December,” he said.

Mohd Salleh said KTMB was also looking at a proposal to build a rail network from Mentakab to Kuantan for freight services.

Asked when would the Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur Rapid rail service would commence, he said it was expected in two years.

“The train will stop at the Batu Gajah, Kampar, Tapah, Slim River and Tanjung Malim stations.”

I though the Ipoh double tracking is read. Why another 2 years? How many years has this been delayed? cannot keep track already.

KTMB have not bought any trainsets yet for the transrapid service to IPoh. I believe they'll start the komuter service first along the new route to Ipoh. I dun think KTM is ready to run the transrapid service, the new trainsets would be extremely expensive and high tech..it'd require time and $$ for KTM to operate high speed trains.

I hope they could diesel trains for train services to Ipoh in the meantime.

It's time for KTM to streamline their train models, their commuter service alone has 3 different models, not that good for maintenance cost and spare part availability.....

Hope they can procure trains such as Hitachi A-Trains which is proven in narrow gauge tracks in Japan and Taiwan...we can use it for rapid train service too...

I dun think KTM is ready to run the transrapid service, the new trainsets would be extremely expensive and high tech..it'd require time and $$ for KTM to operate high speed trains.

I hope they could diesel trains for train services to Ipoh in the meantime.

If not now when? Tomorrow ppl will say the same thing, and so on, at last, none built. It has to start now for tomorrow. There are investors out there + gov spending which can help this possible. High speed train is the only way to travel fast intra-city these days, look at France alone. Of course a bad news for Mr. Jala and Mr. Tony :lol:

Negri readying train service for tourists to Port Dickson (http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/14/nation/18019658&sec=nation)

very interesting...great to see that train services are extending even more.

Cheers, m

^^ Kinda similar to some train services in Melbourne to remote destinations where frequent commuter services are probably not viable. I once went to a tourists spot callled Stony Point(to see penguins) riding in old diesel trains which are probably for tourists. It's not a commuter service as it's not as frequent as the normal connex commuter as we had to wait for 4 hours before the return train to the city comes back.

Really interesting that they're connecting PD up to Seremban. Now PD will be even more accessible, I wonder if it will become quite busy. At least it'll be easier to get to my aunt's place.

History :
the only privately owned railway line in the federated malay states is that of the Sungei
Ujong Railway Company. This line which is
24 1/2 miles in length(about 40km) connects
between Seremban and Port Dickson. It was orginally
established under a government guarantee. Open
for traffic in July 1891, and handed over to FMSR
in July 1908. During the period two or three trains
runs daily between Seremban and PD, whilst goods trains are despatched as often as required. In the district through which the line passes there are number of important rubber estates.

the contract to built the Sungei Ujong Railway was
awardwd to Messr. Hill and Rathborne with the cost of
165,750 pound sterling and it was completed in 30 months period.

Note : if the trains run in July 2007 so it will be
about 116 years in celebration since it was
open to traffic.

http://www.gerbangperdana.com.my/portals/gp06//gallery/3dvisual/pglry_3d_jbs01.jpg

THE NEW JOHOR BAHRU TRAIN STATION OR COMMONLY KNOW AS JB SENTRAL!!!!!!!!!!..............OPENING THIS SEPTEMBER 2007..

http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/images/db_progress/2007-04/0407-002.jpg
Night view of the "Walkalator" at the Link Bridge. The Link Bridge connects the CIQ complexs to the JB Sentral Terminal.(taken from gerbang selatan bersepadu website..}

http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/images/db_progress/2006-11/JBS_1106.jpg
Construction of JBS building - Nov 06


(taken from gerbang selatan bersepadu website)

This new JB Sentral, is there any future room for expansion of train services, such as say.......Komuter and also if it is approved...HSR?

This new JB Sentral, is there any future room for expansion of train services, such as say.......Komuter and also if it is approved...HSR?


yeap...there'll be a komuter service...It is hoped that the construction of the new JB Sentral will enable KTMB to offer frequent Komuter services on the Kulai-Senai-Kempas Baru-JB- Singapore route. This arrangement is expected to be popular among Singaporean passengers taking AirAsia flights from Senai Airport, freight and also Johoreans working in Singapore. The Kulai/Senai to JB stretch needs to be double tracked for the Komuter services to be offered.

besides,Kempas Baru railway station will become an interchange between Kulai-Senai-Plentong-Pasir Gudang line and Kulai-Senai-Johor Bahru-Singapore line.


A rail transit terminal by the Senai Airport is planned to be contructed 2007-2010. This will link Senai to the new CIQ.
A high-speed rail link from KL to Singapore is currently under study by YTL Corporation, a potential RM 8 billion project which would slash rail travel time from more than 8 hours to less than an hour. At the moment, this project does not involved KTMB

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Gsb3.jpg
JB sentral connecting to the CIQ complex..

Today's photo (24/6/2007)

Electrified double track, between Tanjung Malim to Kuala Kubu Baru
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3739/tmkkbjv4.jpg

Track after Kuala Kubu Baru station
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3171/ktmbkkbaah4.jpg

Just before Serendah station
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6788/serendahbcy5.jpg

Serendah station
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/3648/ktmbserendahze1.jpg

25KV AC Overhead Line "LIVE"

Please be informed that KTMB’s Overhead Line Equipment on the railway track for Train Electrification System for these sectors will be energised with 25,000 Volt A.C:



1. Feeder Station Kalumpang (KM306.340) to Slim River MPTSL (KM278.548) – was energised with 25,000V A.C on April 3, 2007



2. Slim River MPTSL (KM278.513) to Feeder Station Sungkai (KM249.025) – was energised with 25,000V A.C on May 26, 2007



3. Rasa MPTSL (KM328.891) to Feeder Station Kalumpang (KM306.375) – was energised with 25,000V A.C on July 11, 2007



4. Feeder Station Sungkai (KM249.025) to Kampar MPTSL (KM218.690) – will be energized with 25,000V A.C from 0001 hour, August 1, 2007



5. Up/Down Line Kampar MPTSL (KM220.137) to Feeder Station Lahat (KM189.114) – will be energised with 25,000V A.C from 0001 hour, August 15, 2007



The overhead line equipment on the railway tracks must always be considered as very dangerous and “LIVE” at all times.


In case of emergency regarding the KTMB’s electrified overhead line, please contact our Electric Control Center at 03-2274 4104.



Issued by: Project Management Department,

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad



Date : June 11, 2007


http://www.ktmb.com.my/Article.asp?Id=2157

does this mean that the Rawang - Rasa shuttle will be replaced with full EMU service soon?

I hope not...KTM Komuter doesnt have enough trains.

Cheers, m

Greetings.

A while ago someone posted a list of proposed rail expansions from KTMB.

I can remember the following

*Sentul-Batu Caves extension of the KTM Komuter, including double tracking and electrification
*double tracking in Northern Perak
*Ipoh-Padang Besar double tracking and electrification
*Extension of KTM Komuter service from Seremban to...Senawang? Somewhere else?
*Double tracking from Seremban to Gemas

I cannot remember the specific details but there was also a proposed line to bypass KL...running somewhere (I think it was Serendah and all the way past to south of Kajang....does anyone have the specific details?

Also, are there any other proposed expansions that i have missed?

I see that they are expanding the KTM Komuter Halt at Bank Negara as well.

Cheers, m

July 06, 2007 21:26 PM

Rawang-Ipoh Double Track Almost Complete

SERDANG, July 6 (Bernama) -- The Rawang-Ipoh double track commuter train project is nearing completion, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

"It is almost 99 percent completed. I will be making inspections on it next week," he told reporters after launching the Permai Central Transport Hub near here today.

The RM4.6-billion project spanning 180km, which will provide Rawang and Ipoh a high speed rail link, would be operational by early next year, he said.

Meanwhile, Chan said contractors involved in the Ipoh-Padang Besar double tracking project were working on its cost with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Finance Ministry and his ministry.

The 330km-project is expected to resume early next year and due for completion in 2012. It was postponed in 2003 to curtail government spending on mega projects.

"Once this project is completed, we do not see any problem in operating a commuter train service between Penang and Ipoh," Chan said.

On the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport upgrading project, he said a study was still underway to ascertain whether the project will just involve extension of the runway or include the expansion of the airport terminal building.

"My officers are meeting with the EPU and Finance Ministry to follow up on the matter. It might take two to three weeks to come up with the costing for the project," he said.

-- BERNAMA

is threre any updates about sabah railway department modernisation??

I think KTM should change their way in informing passengers of their next train, maybe they should do like what is done in KLIA Transit, which is....rather than showing fixed schedule, they should instead show how long will the train arrive to that station....that way, it would be more accurate...

KTMB to tap French firm’s expertise

April 18, 2007

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SNCF International, a subsidiary of the French national railway company, to draw on the latter’s expertise in rail-related matters.

The MOU will see the two companies work together on rail-related consultation, assistance and advisory services. This will include training services and railway visits. "Basically, it’s more on advisory, consultancy and training," KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah told reporters after the signing ceremony at the French embassy in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

SNCF International was represented by its president and chief executive officer Jean-Pierre Loubinoux. It’s possible that KTMB may get funding from the French Government for consultancy and training programmes conducted by SNCF, Mohd Salleh said.

This may involve "a few million ringgit", he said, declining to elaborate.

SNCF, which carries 800 million passengers and 130 million tonnes of freight every year, is one of the main contributors to railway development around the world. The company was set up some nine years ago to contribute to the operation and maintenance of rail networks outside of France, and to assist in the creation of new railway routes.

Its cooperation with KTMB will open windows of opportunity for the latter to explore new technology in rail operations, infrastructure and rolling stock. Meanwhile, asked if YTL Corp’s proposed high-speed train project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore would affect KTMB’s operations, Mohd Salleh replied, "It may or it may not".

He pointed out, however, that high- speed trains catered mainly to business travellers, whereas KTMB provi- des service for a different category.

"We don’t have high speed, but we still believe that we can provide a reasonable level of comfort at a very affordable price," he said.

On whether KTMB would work together with YTL on the KL-Singapore project, he said the rail operator has been providing its input to the Government as and when it was required to. It has had no direct dealings with YTL thus far.

Regardless of what decision the Government makes on the project, KTMB will continue to improve its services, he added.

"That’s why we’re encouraging the Government to help to double track the lines, right up from Padang Besar to Johor. We need to improve our services," he remarked. He said that in the later part of 2008 or 2009, KTMB would be starting up an express train that would run from KL Sentral to Ipoh, and vice versa.

The Government is currently negotiating with the contractor on the technical and financial terms of the project, he added.

http://www.ambafrance-my.org/IMG/250KTMBlogo.jpg

http://www.ambafrance-my.org/IMG/250SNCF.jpg

More comfort for Komuter users
Monday July 9, 2007
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/stor...06&sec=central
By LEONG SHEN-LI
COME mid-October, commuters using the Bank Negara KTM Komuter halt will be able to catch their trains in a more spacious, covered and modern-looking station that will have more facilities.
The RM6mil project to upgrade the halt will involve the construction of a new covered “mezzanine” floor above the current platforms.
The new floor will house ticketing counters, ticket vending machines, toilets, suraus and retail space.


Making it easy: An artist’s impression of what the new station will look like when complete, with the tracks under a new mezzanine floor.
The new station will have a waiting area with a glass-window viewing gallery – a first for a KTM Komuter station.
Passengers can wait on the mezzanine floor and only go down to the platform when they see their train approaching.
“The upgraded station will also allow the halt's two platforms to be accessed through a common entrance at the new mezzanine floor before descending to the platforms below,” said KTM Bhd's KTM Komuter strategic business unit business development and marketing senior manager Mohd Hider Yusoff.
The two platforms of the original halt, which were opened when the KTM Komuter began operations in 1995, had separate entrances.


Checking it out: Mohd Hider (right) studying the plans for the new station with KTMB corporate communications manager Shahriza Embi and project manager Aziz Shadad.
There was no connection between the two inside the halt and if a passenger mistakenly went to the wrong platform, he would have to leave the halt, walk a distance and then use his ticket to enter again.
Being the third busiest of KTM Komuter's 45 stations – it handles between 10,000 and 12,000 passengers daily – the old Bank Negara halt was also often very crowded and the upgrades would open up more space for passengers and KTM personnel.


Getting it ready: The railway tracks are unaffected by the construction and are still in use.
Previously only providing limited shelter, the platforms would now be covered with proper roofing.
Mohd Hider said in line with KTMB’s new designs for stations, the new Bank Negara station would also have facilities for the disabled.
“From the mezzanine floor, there will be lifts for them to access the platforms below,” he said.
He added that there would be toilets for the disabled and also tack-tiles to guide those who were visually impaired.
Mohd Hider said the upgraded station would have two main entrances, one at Jalan Datuk Onn and the other at the bridge on the access road to Bank Negara, opposite the pedestrian bridge over Jalan Kuching and Sungai Gombak to Jalan Raja Laut near the Sogo Shopping Complex.
Construction work began in April and Mohd Hider said work should be completed by October.
“We hope to be able to complete the work before the deadline so that commuters will get to use the new facilities earlier,” he said.
Mohd Hider said the halt would remain open throughout the construction period although certain areas would be out of bounds for passengers while the old entrances have been temporarily relocated.
He added that information boards have been put up to explain to commuter about the upgrading work.

was at kuala lumpur station yesterday and I took a look at the ticket vending machine for the first time in a while....

not only do they have the buttons for Serendah, Rasa, and the stations on the recent extension...they have also placed buttons on the machine for KKB, Tapah Road and Tg. Malim...

Cheers, m

Govt Mulls Proposal To Takeover KTMB - Chan
Updated : 09-07-2007


KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The government is considering a proposal to revert Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to a public body after 15 years of privatisation, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

He said the Railwaymen Union of Malaya (RUM) had proposed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the government take KTMB under its wings following losses by the company.

"The ministry will study and prepare a report on the second memorandum sent by RUM to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on May 31," he said at a dinner organised by RUM tonight.

RUM sent the first memorandum on the proposal to Abdullah on Oct 11, 2004.

KTMB was privatised on Aug 1, 1992. In 1997, it came under the supervision of the Merak Unggul Consortium, a company said to have incurred "losses running into millions of ringgit before tax."

Chan said the ministry would support a proposal that would benefit the nation and sector but fell short of stating his support for the proposal by RUM.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/13/nation/18294716&sec=nation

Nationwide rail safety campaign

IPOH: The Transport Ministry will carry out a nationwide safety campaign to educate people living near railway tracks.

Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said railway accidents claimed 29 lives since January and the ministry hoped to educate the public, especially those living near railway tracks.

“We will ask the Finance Ministry to allocate RM6mil to RM8mil to launch the campaign before the commissioning of the double-track project between Rawang and Ipoh early next year,” he told a press conference after inspecting work on the project here yesterday.

He hoped the campaign, which would include posters, radio and television commercials, would also stop people from committing vandalism, theft, and from trespassing on railway property.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/7/13/nation/n_12salleh.jpg
look: Mohd Salleh giving Chan a progress report on the Rawang-Ipoh doubletrack project at the Tanjung Malim station yesterday.

KTM Berhad managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said contractors of the project lost some RM5mil to cable thieves.

“The loss is not our main concern but train delays due to the disruption to our system is the biggest problem,” he said.

On the RM4bil project, Chan said 97% had been completed and what was left were the landscaping work and approval from local authorities.

“We are confident that everything will be ready for commissioning by Dec 31. By early next year, the tracks can be operational,” he said.

There will be 16 trips per day between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, catering to more than 3,200 passengers per day.

On the expansion of Ipoh’s Sultan Azlan Shah airport, Chan said a meeting involving all parties would be held next week to listen to their views.

Berita Nasional: Khidmat kereta api laju KL–Ipoh singgah 5 stesen



IPOH: Perkhidmatan kereta api laju Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) (http://www.ktmb.com.my/)antara Kuala Lumpur dan Ipoh yang menggunakan landasan berkembar akan mula beroperasi awal tahun depan dengan tempoh perjalanan dua jam 15 minit.

Perkhidmatan kereta api elektrik itu akan bermula dari KL Sentral dan singgah stesen Rawang, Tanjung Malim, Tapah Road, Kampar dan Batu Gajah.
Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy berkata perjalanan dua jam 15 minit itu termasuk masa perhentian singkat di lima stesen berkenaan dan menyediakan lapan perjalanan ulang-alik sehari.

“Perkhidmatan itu menggunakan enam koc baru buatan Jepun dan Korea yang akan tiba tidak lama lagi,” katanya selepas meninjau projek landasan berkembar elektrik Rawang-Ipoh, di sini semalam.

Hadir sama Pengerusi KTMB, Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek dan Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah.

Chan bagaimanapun berkata, kementerian masih mengkaji kadar tambang yang sesuai dan tidak menafikan tambangnya agak mahal berbanding kereta api biasa.

“Kita jangkakan tambang RM35 untuk Kelas Pertama dan RM25 Kelas Kedua, tetapi ini hanya jangkaan saja. Ia agak mahal sedikit kerana perkhidmatan dikategorikan sebagai ‘Premier Train’, dan tambangnya bersesuaian dengan mutu perkhidmatan yang akan diberikan,” katanya.

:banana:

Will these really be fast trains or new coaches only?

Haha, finally we can know where does those train coming from.....hopefully they can use tilting trains to achieve higher speed...

Uncomfirmed sources from ktmrailwayfan say the manufacturers of the class 82 commuter trains from Korea is also involved in manufacturing the fast trains.

will the bottleneck between Kuala Lumpur station and Kepong affect service operations for the fast train? Right now it is only double track (iirc) between these stations...with a third track in only a few spots....

Perhaps more importantly...will fast train service operations interfere with KTM Komuter service?

No point in having double tracking and electrification if KTM Komuter service trains are still stuck waiting for other trains to clear the tracks....KTM freight trains, intercity trains, and the KL-Ipoh fast trains? Way too much...

Cheers, m

KTMB And SRT Agree To Consolidate Cooperation
July 25, 2007 22:59 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 25 (Bernama) -- Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have agreed that their annual joint conference is a useful forum for exchanging experience and discussing issues of mutual concern to consolidate cooperation.

KTMB and SRT, which met for a three-day joint conference since Monday in Kijal, Kemaman, also discussed several pertinent issues, including the streamlining of freight traffic information for both countries via the freight online system, progress on SRT restructuring and KTMB's public service obligations to the masses in the East Coast.

A joint statement issued said that SRT would organise a study tour comprising its personnel and media representatives to Malaysia to learn about the future direction and railway policies in Malaysia which could be subsequently applied by SRT.

The statement also highlighted KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah's opening speech which stressed on the importance of further improving the landbridge service currently operating between Malaysia and Thailand.

"The success of landbridge operations will pave the way and set a pace for the successful collaboration and operation of the countries connected by the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link," he said.

The next joint conference will take place in Thailand in 2008.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday August 16, 2007

KTM to start new Ipoh-Singapore train service

By LISA GOH

KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will start a new line between Singapore and Ipoh from Oct 1, using its double tracking route.

KTMB Strategic Business Unit’s Intercity Services general manager Sarbini Tijan said this route, which runs through Kuala Lumpur, would only operate on weekends initially.

"We will start with the weekends, with a day and a night trip from Singapore to Ipoh, and vice versa.

"So, in total, there will be four trips a day. It should be running daily by next year," he said at a joint press conference by KTMB and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta).

However, he added that there would be daily service during peak periods such as Hari Raya Puasa.

Sarbini also said the service would start with diesel trains, but "electric trains are on the way".

The fare for Singapore-Ipoh has not yet been confirmed. The fare for KL-Ipoh is RM18 for second class, and RM10 for economy class.

He said this service was an addition to the existing KL-Penang route via Ipoh which runs two trips a night - one northbound, and one southbound.

"But those are only night trains, except for weekends, when we run day trains," he said.

Jangan sampai stesen KTM terbiar

KUALA PILAH 23 Ogos – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kesal bangunan Stesen Kereta Api Tanah Melayu di Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur ditinggalkan terbiar sejak enam tahun lalu.

Sehubungan itu, beliau mahu pihak pengurusan Kereta Api Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) melakukan sesuatu supaya bangunan warisan kebangsaan itu kembali menjadi tumpuan orang ramai.

‘‘Mereka perlulah jaga, jangan sampai tinggal begitu,’’ katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan upacara pecah tanah Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kuala Pilah di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas laporan muka depan Utusan Malaysia hari ini mengenai nasib stesen kereta api yang dibina pada 1885 dan menjadi tumpuan orang ramai ekoran seni binanya yang unik itu.

Bangunan yang disenaraikan sebagai warisan negara tersebut dikatakan semakin terabai sejak 2001 apabila pusat operasi utama stesen kereta api dipindahkan ke Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur.

Perdana Menteri berkata, stesen itu boleh digunakan untuk tujuan yang memberikan pulangan dan bernilai komersial.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well,at least he cared to say something.

KTMB boleh didakwa – Rais

Oleh: ZABRY MOHAMAD

KUALA LUMPUR 23 Ogos – Kerajaan tidak teragak-agak mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap pengurusan Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) jika masih gagal menyenggara dengan baik bangunan miliknya, sebelum Disember ini.

Menteri Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim berkata, di bawah Akta Warisan Kebangsaan 2005, KTMB boleh didenda sehingga RM50,000 atau lima tahun penjara atau kedua-duanya sekali jika sabit kesalahan.

Katanya, sebagai pemilik bangunan yang diisytiharkan sebagai warisan kebangsaan, KTMB bertanggungjawab menyenggara bangunan itu dengan baik dan memuaskan.

Menurut Rais, kementeriannya telah mengarahkan syarikat tersebut mengambil tindakan sewajarnya sebelum akhir tahun ini.

‘‘Pesuruhjaya Warisan telah mengeluarkan notis baru-baru ini mengarahkan KTMB mengambil tindakan mengembalikan stesen tersebut kepada keadaan asalnya dalam tempoh enam bulan.

‘‘Saya sendiri akan meninjau keadaan stesen itu pada Disember ini. Jika masih tidak memuaskan, maka tindakan undang-undang wajar dikenakan terhadap mereka,’’ kata Rais ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas laporan muka depan Utusan Malaysia hari ini mengenai bangunan Stesen Kereta Api Tanah Melayu di Jalan Hishamuddin di sini yang didapati terbiar dan tidak diurus dengan baik.

Tinjauan di bangunan yang dibina pada 1885 itu mendapati banyak cermin bangunan telah pecah, besi buruk diletakkan di tempat laluan orang ramai malah lebih menjijikkan terdapat juga najis manusia di laluan pejalan kaki.

Bangunan tersebut dikatakan semakin diabaikan sejak 2001 apabila pusat operasi utama stesen kereta api dipindahkan ke Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur yang lebih canggih dan moden.

Rais memberitahu, selain stesen kereta api, bangunan ibu pejabat KTMB yang terletak bertentangan juga didapati tidak disenggara dengan baik.

Katanya, tindakan yang sama juga boleh diambil jika KTMB tidak mengambil langkah-langkah sepatutnya terhadap bangunan berkenaan.

‘‘Kerajaan mempunyai hak untuk memaksa KTMB menyenggara dengan baik bangunan-bangunan miliknya yang kini dikategorikan sebagai warisan kebangsaan,’’ tegasnya.

:bash: :ohno: :ohno:

translate please:nuts: heheheh actually, I caught the first article, the PM wants the railway station to be commercialized...hmmmmm...wouldnt that be wonderful...the KFC they dropped in there was a real nice piece of work :bash:

Hmmmm...pm, how about a Railway Museum? How about an art gallery of railway photos....

oh, how about a better KTM service that actually starts and stops at the station, instead of passing through. Yes, m has an idea...start a real "komuter" service that runs limited stop trains that only serve the KTM "stations" and not the "halts" and the trains can start their journey from Kuala Lumpur station.

Cheers, m

actually, I caught the first article, the PM wants the railway station to be commercialized...hmmmmm...wouldnt that be wonderful...the KFC they dropped in there was a real nice piece of work :bash:

wah! your translation is pretty BAD lah! :lol: but my english is bad either...

actually Ministry gives a warning to KTMB that they will face a legal action for neglecting the train station. :yes:

Hmmmm...pm, how about a Railway Museum? How about an art gallery of railway photos....

oh, how about a better KTM service that actually starts and stops at the station, instead of passing through. Yes, m has an idea...start a real "komuter" service that runs limited stop trains that only serve the KTM "stations" and not the "halts" and the trains can start their journey from Kuala Lumpur station.

Cheers, m

actually i prefer the station to be a 'Station Hotel' (a luxury hotel) along with an alfresco cafes facing the track....

that's a very old european ambiance...right?:D

to convert it into a 100% museum is pretty boring lah...

I think its possible to have KTMB museum at the station. KTM railwayfan is based in the building.I am sure members from that club would dedicate themselves into running or at least take care of the museum.

SInce KL already have shortages of hotel rooms...expanding the station into a hotel/budget hotel/hostel is not a bad idea.:)

I used to take Plusliner buses from Ipoh to KL which stops at the KL train station.Quite convenient rather than stopping at the horrible Pudu Raya or Duta,as KL Sentral is only one stop/RM1 away,from there I take LRT to W.Maju.Perhaps KTMB could arrange for more express bus services to allow passengers to disembark at KL station before proceeding to the main bus stations.:)

I don't think a budget hotel/motel suits its appearance. it should be turned into a 5-star hotel with spa inside. I suggest they turn either the railway station to a museum and KTMB HQ to a 5-star hotel. Then, relocate KTMB HQ to KL Sentral. In the museum, they can gather all the old locomotives that had been in service since 1885. I had been to Taiping's railway station in 1985 when they celebrated their 100 year anniversary and exhibit their antique loco. which are very nice.

There is the Heritage Station Hotel, which, from the shabby appearances of its rooms, is a kind of a reasonably cheap hotel. Perhap it could do to upgrade itself to a 5 star hotel, like the Raffles hotel :) ...or at least modernize the rooms.

http://www.heritagehotelmalaysia.com/facilities.htm

I don't think a budget hotel/motel suits its appearance. it should be turned into a 5-star hotel with spa inside. I suggest they turn either the railway station to a museum and KTMB HQ to a 5-star hotel. Then, relocate KTMB HQ to KL Sentral. In the museum, they can gather all the old locomotives that had been in service since 1885. I had been to Taiping's railway station in 1985 when they celebrated their 100 year anniversary and exhibit their antique loco. which are very nice.

Great idea!

Or park the locos permanently on the platforms and use them as rooms/suites, especially the luxury trains

wah! your translation is pretty BAD lah! :lol: but my english is bad either...

actually Ministry gives a warning to KTMB that they will face a legal action for neglecting the train station. :yes:

actually i prefer the station to be a 'Station Hotel' (a luxury hotel) along with an alfresco cafes facing the track....

that's a very old european ambiance...right?:D

to convert it into a 100% museum is pretty boring lah...hehehehhe oops, what was I thinking? Actually, I remember hearing that on the radio news, thought it was the same story :p

Yeah, a nice hotel in that area would be great, now that there is access to KL city with the overhead walkway, it would be easier....

but, methinks that using the old station as a museum...new bus station and cafe area would also be a good solution.

What about the parcel delivery service? Will KTM move the parcel collection area in the future? Or will they expand it in the future as KTM service becomes more frequent and reliable?

The staging area for the parcel delivery service...would be useful for a bus terminal or a bus staging area....or for a waiting area for future train service.....

Maybe KTMB should combine their parcel delivery with the POS facilities....POS Malaysia IP is so nearby....and offer a single service...then they can give up the staging area and either expand the building or build a new bus terminal

Cheers, m

allurban, may i ask you something..? are you working in malaysian transportation sector? if so, perhaps you have a stronger position to make a suggestion on the railway station...:yes:

^^ The pro sections might have something about this, I'm not sure where.

I think in long term the station has a role to play. When the double tracking from North and South in place together with the High Speed Train to S'pore. I believe the current Kuala Lumpur Station can serve as the second station to compliment the KL Sentral. I don't think we should turn it into something else....It is a living museum....with a role to play.

The station really needs attention. When I last used it, there were these plastic chairs, probably 2 decades old, with flaking paint and plastic around, poor platform signage which caused me to take the wrong commuter train once:nuts: , dark smelly pedestrian tunnels which are kind of unnerving to go through, and poor lighting. Using the station was always frustrating for me. But I'd rather get off there than get off Pudu bus station anytime :lol: .

Anyway, is there an LRT station near the KL station. I believe I saw one near it across the river.Perhaps they could connect the LRT station to the train station..at least tell people how to get to the LRT station.

allurban, may i ask you something..? are you working in malaysian transportation sector? if so, perhaps you have a stronger position to make a suggestion on the railway station...:yes:Im not "working" in that sense...but I am strongly interested in transportation and want to see it improved.

If time allows, would certainly email the transport minister or the secretary of the transport ministry.

Anyway, is there an LRT station near the KL station. I believe I saw one near it across the river.Perhaps they could connect the LRT station to the train station..at least tell people how to get to the LRT station.That would be Pasar Seni LRT station. It is now relatively easier to walk from one station to the other. There is a new stairway that allows direct access to the concourse of Kuala Lumpur Station from the street beside the station (the unofficial "Seremban bus stand")

Cheers, m

I think in long term the station has a role to play. When the double tracking from North and South in place together with the High Speed Train to S'pore. I believe the current Kuala Lumpur Station can serve as the second station to compliment the KL Sentral. I don't think we should turn it into something else....It is a living museum....with a role to play.

Yep precisely. A living musuem is what is needed. :) with a swanky cafe/ bar.

By the way, has anyone realised all the work going on along Jalan Ipoh (near Taman Wahyu) for the Batu Caves line? Looks good.

KTMB rancang baik pulih stesen KL
KUALA LUMPUR 22 Ogos – Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) mempunyai perancangan untuk membaik pulih bangunan stesennya di Jalan Hishamuddin bagi menceriakan semula suasana di bangunan itu.

Pengurus Komunikasi Korporat KTMB, Shariza Embi berkata, pihaknya sedang menyenggara ruang legar bangunan itu untuk dijadikan tempat pameran sejarah KTMB sempena sambutan bulan kemerdekaan.

Menurutnya, pameran yang akan dianjurkan mulai 30 Ogos itu diharap dapat menarik perhatian orang ramai dan pelancong mengunjungi bangunan yang disenaraikan oleh Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan sebagai bangunan warisan kebangsaan.

“Pada pameran itu nanti KTMB menyediakan pusat jualan kraf tangan dan kita juga merancang mewujudkan kafe-kafe yang menyediakan skrin besar untuk pengunjung bersantai bersama rakan-rakan,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, hari ini.

Beliau ditanya mengenai keadaan bangunan itu yang kini terbiar apabila tidak lagi menjadi tumpuan orang ramai sejak tahun 2001 apabila pusat operasi utama stesen kereta api dipindahkan ke Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur, yang lebih canggih dan moden.

Jika sebelum ini bangunan yang menempatkan restoran dan kedai-kedai yang menjual pelbagai barangan itu sering dikunjungi orang ramai ia kini sekadar menjadi tempat persinggahan orang ramai untuk menggunakan perkhidmatan komuter.

Tinjauan Utusan Malaysia di stesen itu mendapati ia tidak dijaga dan diselenggara dengan baik apabila terdapat banyak cermin bangunan yang pecah, besi buruk diletakkan di tempat laluan orang ramai malah lebih menyedihkan terdapat juga najis manusia di kawasan pejalan kaki.

Shariza berkata, pameran sejarah itu akan dibuka setiap hari sepanjang sambutan bulan kemerdekaan dan ia mungkin akan dikekalkan sekiranya mendapat sambutan orang ramai.

“Pada hari Isnin hingga Khamis ia dibuka dari pukul 9 pagi hingga 6 petang manakala pada hari Jumaat hingga Ahad dibuka dari pukul 9 pagi hingga 7 petang,” ujarnya.

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KTMB says they will make a display on the history of rail travel in Malaysia starting from 30th August, privide space for handicraft shops and cafes in an attempt to revive the station and turn it into a tourist attraction.The display may be made permanent if it is popular.

The diplay will be open from 9am-6pm from Mon-Thus and 9am-7pm from Fri-Sun

Yep precisely. A living musuem is what is needed. :) with a swanky cafe/ bar.

By the way, has anyone realised all the work going on along Jalan Ipoh (near Taman Wahyu) for the Batu Caves line? Looks good.yes, it's great that they are able to build it quite fast...the most complicated thing they really have to do is widen the track bed along the river...along with building the actual stations

go over to Batu Caves and walk down along the track, you can see that they are already installing poles all the way down to jalan ipoh.

It is a good thing they preserved this corridor.

In my last piece of writing about KTM, I said that KTM should really have gotten into the tram business, and Subang Jaya would have been a great place for a KTM tram network to be tested out.

LRT is not the only answer....trams would really complement KTM train service and KTM Komuter service


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

KTMB says they will make a display on the history of rail travel in Malaysia starting from 30th August, privide space for handicraft shops and cafes in an attempt to revive the station and turn it into a tourist attraction.The display may be made permanent if it is popular.

The diplay will be open from 9am-6pm from Mon-Thus and 9am-7pm from Fri-Sun
yeah, an interesting idea...worth writing about some day...

hmmmm...I would definitely like to see some nice cafes in the area...but not KFC...Station Kopitiam would be nice if possible:banana:

Cheers, m

^^ You'll be :banana: over this

Cross Country: Old railway station to come alive
By : Shuhada Elis


http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/20070830081025/insidepix1
KTMB corporate communication executive Mohd Fazil Ismail (left), dressed in 1950s station master uniform, briefs visitors on an exhibit.


KUALA LUMPUR: Commuters, tourists, shoppers and football fans may sound like an odd mix of people but come Saturday, they will rub shoulders at the Kuala Lumpur Old Railway Station.

The station is set to come alive when its platforms will be turned into a shopping bazaar during the day and an indoor stadium at night.

Thirty lots selling food, clothes and souvenirs are set to draw visitors while three 23cm by 31cm projector screens and 16 LCD television sets at the platforms will show live football telecasts at night.


Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said the move was aimed at rejuvenating the station as it was a national heritage.

"I believe many tourists will come as they are interested in learning about Malaysia," he said after opening The Glory of Merdeka Exhibition at the station’s lobby on Tuesday.


He said KTMB was responding to calls from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim to preserve the station.


The project is a joint collaboration between KTMB and Tourism Malaysia.

In conjunction with the 50th Merdeka celebrations, more than 100 pictures of KTMB from 1885 to 2000 and other items, including train models and old uniforms, are being displayed at the exhibition.

The 90-year-old KTMB headquarters is also open to the public for the first time.

The exhibition will be held until Sept 23 from 9am to 7pm. Admission is free.

wo00o0...really have to go! but....indoor futsal court in a train station..? it sounds like a mess.....

i expect a grandeur museum....not a pasar-like museum...

wo00o0...really have to go! but....indoor futsal court in a train station..? it sounds like a mess.....

i expect a grandeur museum....not a pasar-like museum...agreed....

Interesting comments (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Letters/20070831094531/Article/index_html)in the newspaper today.

Also an article with photos of the displays...

hmmmmmm....we could arrange a time for forumers to go down and meet, have teh tarik and chit chat, watch some tv...visit KTMB Hq and present them with a list of ideas....

cheers, m

Alstom Aims to Double Malaysia Workforce for Rail, Power Plants
Updated : 30-08-2007
Media : Bloomberg
Story By : Stephanie Phang


Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Alstom SA, the world's biggest maker of hydropower turbines, plans to more than double its employees in Malaysia to help build power plants and rail systems in Asia.

The expansion to 700 salespeople, engineers and project managers by early next year from 280 in 2006 will also help win projects in Malaysia, said Saji Raghavan, the country chief for Alstom, the French builder of the world's fastest train.

Malaysia plans $57 billion in spending over five years to spur growth in Southeast Asia's third-largest economy. Alstom is already supplying turbines to the country's Bakun dam, Southeast Asia's largest hydroelectric project. Surging investment in China and India, the world's two fastest growing major economies, is accelerating demand for power systems and rail networks.

``Asia has always been a high-growth area and we expect more business coming out of Asia in the next one or two years,'' Raghavan said in an interview on Aug. 27 at the French company's office in Kuala Lumpur. ``We expect Asia to contribute significantly to Alstom's books.''

Alstom's shares have risen 26 percent this year on the Paris stock exchange, and Siemens AG, a larger rival in Germany, has climbed 17 percent. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Asia's biggest maker of power stations, has gained 29 percent in Tokyo.

Asia accounted for 12 percent of Alstom's 19 billion euros ($26 billion) in orders in the last fiscal year, less than the 17 percent of the year before, when it booked hydro projects in China and India and sold a train-making operation in Australia and New Zealand. Total orders at the French company climbed 34 percent last year.

`Huge Demand'

``There is a huge demand'' for infrastructure in Asia, said Wan Suhaimi Saidi, an economist at Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur. ``There is a growing population and transportation problems are plaguing the cities of this region. There is still room for growth in this sector, especially public transportation and other big infrastructure projects.''

Alstom, based near Paris, has bid to help Gamuda Bhd. and MMC Corp. build a double-track railway in Peninsular Malaysia, Raghavan said. The two Malaysian companies won government approval in June to build the railway line from Ipoh in Perak state to Padang Besar, located at the border with Thailand.

The French manufacturer also wants to bid for light-rail projects. The government is planning to improve public transit in and around Kuala Lumpur, and a high-speed rail link is being proposed by YTL Corp. to link the Malaysian capital with Singapore in the south.

``We are definitely keeping a close watch on those,'' Raghavan said. ``We've made our intention known to the owners.''

Malaysia serves as the Asian center for Alstom's power business, Raghavan said. The world's third-biggest builder of power stations is one of the largest suppliers to Malaysia's power industry, accounting for almost 30 percent of the current installed capacity, he said.

``We're looking towards Asia for growth in the future,'' Raghavan said.

yes, it's great that they are able to build it quite fast...the most complicated thing they really have to do is widen the track bed along the river...along with building the actual stations

go over to Batu Caves and walk down along the track, you can see that they are already installing poles all the way down to jalan ipoh.

It is a good thing they preserved this corridor.

In my last piece of writing about KTM, I said that KTM should really have gotten into the tram business, and Subang Jaya would have been a great place for a KTM tram network to be tested out.

LRT is not the only answer....trams would really complement KTM train service and KTM Komuter service

I’ve actually taken the Thaipusam train many times, but missed it this year. So it was a surprise to see all the used-car dealers moved out from Jalan Ipoh – was waiting years for this Batu Caves line. Yeah, it’s good they preserved this line, one of the oldest in KL. I hope that station names are maintained, Batu Village, Batu Cantonment, etc. I think some are even suggesting that the existing Batu Caves station be preserved, regardless of its rather utilitarian design.

I’m always a bit uneasy with the idea of trams in KL, for the reason that it does not have a dedicated right of way. Besides obvious road/ traffic conditions and capacity concerns, driver behavior (motorcycles especially) and safety issues should not be neglected either. I’m not too sure myself, but are you aware of any cities within the last 30 years, which have only introduced trams onto their streets for the first time? This should be quite different from cities that have inherited them before private cars became more popular.

I think Subang needs an LRT connection. There are many ways of reducing congestion on trains if you worry that the trains would be packed half way through to KL. It should be a just a matter of optimizing the system. Besides, congestion on transit systems is quite a global problem (remember Japan?) and I don’t see it as the key reason to deem the extensions as not viable. You also have to look at Subang from a regional transportation perspective and the extensions will fall into place. I am quite convinced that the future of LRT lines in KL/ Klang Valley would not just stop with the extensions or just one new line. With more lines, there will be more options – remembering that you can only mitigate or alleviate transportation problems; there can never be a perfect solution largely because you’re dealing with humans, not loads and stresses.

This is also why PT usage is going to be very dependent on future transportation policies and its implementation (removal of fuel subsidies, road pricing/ congestion charging, increased PT accessibility and integration, massive switch in mentality, etc.). But what consoles me now is that the general consensus seems to be shifting towards the improvement of public transportation. :cheers:

I’m always a bit uneasy with the idea of trams in KL, for the reason that it does not have a dedicated right of way. Besides obvious road/ traffic conditions and capacity concerns, driver behavior (motorcycles especially) and safety issues should not be neglected either. I’m not too sure myself, but are you aware of any cities within the last 30 years, which have only introduced trams onto their streets for the first time? This should be quite different from cities that have inherited them before private cars became more popular. Certainly trams are a challenge for Malaysian cities, but also, the advantages ought to be considered. I've always liked trams because they have huge flexibility. Run them in mixed traffic (Category C right of way). Run them in dedicated (Category B) right of way. Separate them completely (Category A)....you can do it all.

For trams to be implemented in Malaysia they would need dedicated right of way, and in many cases the tracks should be hazardous for driver to use. But think of the advantages. For example, the Kelana Jaya LRT...if it were a tram, it could be elevated/underground in KL and Petaling Jaya, then ground level in Glenmarie and Subang Jaya...perhaps along Pers. Kewajipan.

Also, the cost factor is important...if we are going to build enough public transportation, then it is vital to build more lines...and trams cost less than LRT....

If we could build 2-5km of tram for 1km of LRT, and they both carry 270 people per train....why not build tram???

There are examples of cities in the US that have adopted new tram systems which they never had before.

I think Subang needs an LRT connection. There are many ways of reducing congestion on trains if you worry that the trains would be packed half way through to KL. It should be a just a matter of optimizing the system. Besides, congestion on transit systems is quite a global problem (remember Japan?) and I don’t see it as the key reason to deem the extensions as not viable. You also have to look at Subang from a regional transportation perspective and the extensions will fall into place. I am quite convinced that the future of LRT lines in KL/ Klang Valley would not just stop with the extensions or just one new line. With more lines, there will be more options – remembering that you can only mitigate or alleviate transportation problems; there can never be a perfect solution largely because you’re dealing with humans, not loads and stresses.
if we can build more lines and complete the missing links in the network, then we can solve many of the problems now...if we commit to only using LRT, we cannot build as many lines as fast...and the costs will be higher....and we cannot complete the network...

Cheers, m

good to know it finally almost done. My husband are one of the crew 3 years ago...

According to Wiki, the route to Tg.Malim a and Kuala Kubu Baru should be oprn by September 2007.

According to Wiki, the route to Tg.Malim a and Kuala Kubu Baru should be oprn by September 2007. just in time for Ramadan? Yaaaay! :banana:

One thing we might see...in future...is that with better train service...people may start taking the train then switching to short distance buses....

For example, my girlfriend finds it faster and more convenient to take KTM Komuter from Subang Jaya to Seremban, then hop on a bus to Melaka....

Cheers, m

Should be great then, with the extended Komuter service, i can easily visit Tanjung Malim on weekly basis.....and hopefully, Tanjung Malim can grow faster than it is now...

Certainly trams are a challenge for Malaysian cities, but also, the advantages ought to be considered. I've always liked trams because they have huge flexibility. Run them in mixed traffic (Category C right of way). Run them in dedicated (Category B) right of way. Separate them completely (Category A)....you can do it all.

For trams to be implemented in Malaysia they would need dedicated right of way, and in many cases the tracks should be hazardous for driver to use. But think of the advantages. For example, the Kelana Jaya LRT...if it were a tram, it could be elevated/underground in KL and Petaling Jaya, then ground level in Glenmarie and Subang Jaya...perhaps along Pers. Kewajipan.

Also, the cost factor is important...if we are going to build enough public transportation, then it is vital to build more lines...and trams cost less than LRT....

If we could build 2-5km of tram for 1km of LRT, and they both carry 270 people per train....why not build tram???

There are examples of cities in the US that have adopted new tram systems which they never had before.

If it’s going to be separated, wouldn’t it be more cost effective to go for a bus rapid transit? Anyway, some people argue that trams with separated ROW are in fact LRT’s. But that depends on which definition it goes by though. Btw, which US cities are these?

if we can build more lines and complete the missing links in the network, then we can solve many of the problems now...if we commit to only using LRT, we cannot build as many lines as fast...and the costs will be higher....and we cannot complete the network...

Cheers, m

Agreed, the lines have to come in quickly. But then again building a rail line is not a game of connect the dots either. I hope that plans are updated and actually built by that recommendation, not the whims and fancies of a few noisy people.

Source : http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/06/7362/malaysia-plans-five-years-of-rail-growth.html



The Ninth Plan includes the purchase of six EMUs for the planned rapid train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. The six-car sets would be capable of 140 km/h running and would cover the journey in 2 h 15 min.

The line is expended yet the train has to stop in every station...and it takes 1 hour to reach Shah Alam which can only take 20 minutes by car....it is so unacceptable.

we need an express komuter which can skip minor stations...

If it’s going to be separated, wouldn’t it be more cost effective to go for a bus rapid transit? Anyway, some people argue that trams with separated ROW are in fact LRT’s. But that depends on which definition it goes by though. Btw, which US cities are these?.The argument for bus rapid transit is a good one...overall bus rapid transit and light rail/light rapid transit/rapid trams...have similar basic operations...

The advantage overall seems to go to rapid trams/Light rail...they can couple trams for longer train(tram)sets. The multiple-carriage (2-5) trams used in cities like Minneapolis or Houston in the US, or Melbourne in Australia, can carry as many people as the Kelana Jaya LRT, about 250 pax.

Rail vehicles last longer than buses too...rail vehicles last about 30 years before replacement is needed, compared to about 12-15 years for buses ...

m thinks that there is room for both bus rapid transit and light rail transit/rapid trams in our cities....

Agreed, the lines have to come in quickly. But then again building a rail line is not a game of connect the dots either. I hope that plans are updated and actually built by that recommendation, not the whims and fancies of a few noisy people.:banana: hehehehh I like noisy people in one way...they get others to stop and think :lol:

The line is expended yet the train has to stop in every station...and it takes 1 hour to reach Shah Alam which can only take 20 minutes by car....it is so unacceptable.

we need an express komuter which can skip minor stations...fully agreed.

cheers, m

The line is expended yet the train has to stop in every station...and it takes 1 hour to reach Shah Alam which can only take 20 minutes by car....it is so unacceptable.

we need an express komuter which can skip minor stations... komuter train actually a long distance train. poor train i think its never been on high speed ever. I remember I take that train from KL to Klang take more then one hours..If you drive its only 30 min... :ohno:

I think if trams were to work, they would need to be infrastructure implemented right from the start, say, in a new township. If you were to place a tram in an existing KL town/suburb, there might be more problems than solutions. The motorists wouldn't be used to having a tram operate where they are used to driving. And its also most likely that during the initial stages of operation, the tram would be stuck in traffic as well as people refuse to get out of their cars and onto the tram. Would the current express buses operate in a way like BRT?