I REFER to the reports — “Interest in train rides” and “Request for train service” — in the media recently.
The government has spent billions of ringgit to upgrade the rail system.
The question is whether Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd is capitalising its revenue on the Electric Train Service (ETS).
After introducing ETS, KTMB has terminated iconic services like Express Rakyat and night berth. KTMB has few options for northbound and southbound travellers.
The only service left is the east coast line, called “Jungle Trail”, to Tumpat. In fact, the line covers only a small part of the jungle before pulling into the Gua Musang station.
KTMB should offer more options for passengers. Not everyone wants to travel in air-conditioned coaches.
Over the years, calls for night berth and Express Rakyat services from Butterworth to Singapore were ignored. KTMB’s public relations manager wrote: “...KTMB was unable to continue the Express Rakyat service as all its passenger coaches and aged locomotives were badly damaged in the east coast floods in 2015.” Indeed!
KTM should do more to promote its services. KTMB must be told: either change or be changed.
K. RAMAMURTHY ACHARI
Penang