A Sneak Preview of LRT Ampang Line New Trains and It's Improvements @NajibRazak @ShahrilMokhtar @MyRapidkKL

A sneak preview of LRT Ampang Line new train at Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd, China

BACKGROUND

As we are all aware, the Government of Malaysia had proposed the extension of LRT Ampang Line and LRT Kelana Jaya line respectively in 2011 as part of the government’s pledge to enhance and improve the public rail transport system in the country.

Since two (2) years has passed, there has been significant development and progress made by PRASARANA in pursuing the government’s agenda of having a more inclusive rail public transport system. 

 PROJECT STATUS

The LRT Ampang Line consist of 20 new trains  with six (6) cars and a further 30 new 6 car trains to replace the existing LRT Ampang line trains that are in operation since the current trains has been in operation for nearly 20 years.

The 1^st new 6 car train will be handed over to PRASARANA by CSR Zhuzhou China in September 2014 and each of the remaining trains will be delivered monthly until upon completion. However, prior to commissioning the new trains, PRASARANA will be conducting extensive test to ensure that all the safety and technical requirements are met before the train is put into operation. This will take about 5 months.

BENEFITS OF THE NEW TRAIN

The new train that has been purchased by PRASARANA is equipped with state of the art safety features such as:

1. ·         Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras
2. ·         Emergency Intercom system
3. ·         Emergency Handbrakes

In addition, PRASARANA has also demonstrated its understanding of the needs of the disabled community by having dedicated wheelchair areas in the new trains to ensure that this special community is well taken care off.

We have also heard of numerous complaints by passengers with respect to the no baggage area in the STAR LRT. However, this has also been addressed by PRASARANA where there is now baggage area below each passenger seats in the new Ampang Line trains.

PASSENGER VOLUME

Each of the new train has a maximum capacity 1,200 personnel and by having 50 (20 (new) + 30 (replacement)) PRASARANA will be able to increase its time intervals for each line thus increasing its passenger volume dramatically. This can only be good news for the public as  there will be no more long Qs at LRT stations to wait for trains during rush hour.