KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has directed Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) to temporarily suspend its cargo operations along the Rawang-Salak Selatan stretch following a recent derailment at the Bank Negara Komuter Station.
SPAD, in a statement today, also directed KTMB to expedite the investigation and provide a full account of the incident to determine the exact cause of the derailment, which has disrupted travel for thousands of commuters.
"As an immediate precautionary measure, SPAD has ordered KTMB to suspend the cargo services along the Rawang-Salak Selatan stretch until the investigation concludes.
"Once investigation concludes and the findings are complete, the commission will take necessary steps to take stern action including financial penalty in the event KTMB is found negligent," read the statement.
In addition, SPAD tasked KTMB with reviewing and improving its freight wagon operational procedure to ensure safety.
The commission also directed KTMB to expedite the ongoing Klang Valley Electrified Double Track (KVDT) project, aimed at upgrading the 42km network, particularly the 7km stretch between Simpang Batu and Kuala Lumpur Station which they believe require immediate improvement.
The rail operator was also directed to ferry the affected commuters of the Electric Train Service (ETS) to the Sungai Buloh Station via the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and bus services before switching to the ETS to continue their respective journey, while also providing them the flexibility to alter their travel date.
KTMB was also directed refund affected commuters who wish to discontinue their journeys.
It was reported earlier that rail services in the Klang Valley were disrupted after a cargo train derailed at the KTMB Bank Negara Station about 5am today.
KTMB, through its official Twitter account, said following the derailment, no train could pass through the KL station, Bank Negara, Putra and Segambut.
The incident also limits KTMB train services to only several destinations namely Tanjung Malim-Kepong, Port Klang-KL Sentral, Tampin/Seremban-KL Sentral and Batu Caves-Sentul.
KTMB advised commuters to opt for alternative services, such as the MRT in Sungai Buloh, Kajang, Muzium Negara, Pasar Seni and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Subang Jaya.