Members of the public using the driverless train during the first day of operations. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Sophisticated and chic.
This description pretty much sums up the new generation trains of the Rapid KL Light Rail Transit (LRT) for the Kelana Jaya Line which can increase its passenger capacity by 30 per cent.
The driverless four-car trains, known as the Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicle (KLAV), with modern design began its operations yesterday.
These trains can each carry 800 passengers at any one time compared to the existing two-car trains with a capacity of only 472 people. Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, Datuk Ir Zohari Sulaiman said a total of 14 KLAV trains of the new Bombardier Innovia Metro 300 model would be operating in stages to replace the existing two-car trains by mid-2017.
“We’re confident that once these new trains are in operation, the commuters will get to enjoy a more meaningful experience and in better comfort, in line with our mission to provide world-class service,” he told reporters after taking the media on a familiarisation tour on the first day of the KLAV operations, here, yesterday.
The media personnel were given the opportunity to experience the new train from the Ara Damansara station to Ampang Park station. Zohari said at the moment, the total number of passengers for the route had reached 260,000 per day and with the additional new trains, he expected the number to increase to 300,000 by June next year.
The additional trains would also reduce the waiting time for each train frequency from 3.5 minutes previously to three minutes, he said.
Zohari said with more trains, Rapid KL would be able to facilitate its maintenance works, scheduling of trains and to overcome the technical issues that they might encounter.
Designed by Canadian-based Bombardier Transport, the trains are equipped with dynamic route map, providing information to passengers on the direction of their destinations, four closed-circuit television cameras and dedicated seats for disabled persons. All the 14 environment-friendly trains, with a total cost of RM577.7 million, are also equipped with a wheel lubricating system that reduces train noise and able to save electricity. — Bernama