KUALA LUMPUR: The government has purchased nine new Electric Train Services (ETS) trains and 13 diesel multiple units (DMUs) to meet the increasing demand for train services.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the new trains would add to the existing fleet of 15 trains for the ETS as well as replacing the old trains for east coast sector, managed by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).
“We are aware that the existing 15 ETS trains are not enough, therefore among the measures that we have taken include purchasing nine new trains which are expected to be in operation on November next year.
“Currently, two trains have arrived and are being assembled; hopefully it could begin operations by December this year.
“As for the east coast sector, we have purchased 13 sets of DMUs which are expected to arrive in April next year,” she said in reply to Datuk Khoo Soo Seang (BN-Tebrau) at Dewan Rakyat today.
Khoo had asked on the government’s plan to improve the ETS and KTM services which are often delayed, coach breakdown and electrical disruption.
Meanwhile, while answering supplementary questions from M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) on ensuring the on-time schedule for KTM services, Nancy said the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) would soon come up with a ‘journey planner’ application.
“The app would be able to tell users information on public transport based on the real time data.
Reports by MOHD ANWAR PATHO ROHMAN, SYED UMAR ARIFF, LUQMAN ARIF ABDUL KARIM, NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI AND AHMAD SUHAEL ADNAN