New Electric Train Service (ETS) for KL-Ipoh Route

It is a good news for commuters from Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur because now they can commute safely and at a very cheap price from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur vice versa. This is made possible with the introduction of five new Electric Train Service (ETS) trains providing eight returns trips for the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh route daily.

The trip from Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh only takes two hours as compared to three hours previously according to this report because the train can reach the top speed of 140 km/h. The new ETS trains will start operating in the first week of August and KTM Berhad will charge a fare of between RM30 and RM35 for the trip. The first train will leave at 5 am and the last train at 11 pm. 

Rapidpass Flexi

A New Eight Couches of the Putra LRT.

Malaysia really needs to have an integrated transportation system in order to provide efficient services to users. Congratulation to RapidKL for its initiative to introduce a new ticketing system namely Rapidpass Flexi. The new ticketing system was introduced on 1st June 2010.

In order to use the system one needs to have a Touch and Go card. The Touch and Go cards are available at most of the LRT stations. Rapidpass Flexi can be loaded to the Touch and Go card. Rapidpass Flexi can be used specifically for RapidKL buses, LRT as well as monorail. Users can also purchase an integrated Rapidpass which can be used for all three mode of transport (RapidKL buses, LRT and Monorail). Users can purchase the Rapidpass Flexi based on number of days such as one, three, seven, 15 or 30 days. The rapidpass can be purchased from customer service counters at LRT stations. For more information, please refer to this web site http://www.rapidkl.com.my/.

Personally, I really like the ticketing system because of its convenience to the users. However, RapidKL still needs to improve the reliability and timing of their bus services in order to attract more users to use the services.

Earthquake

There are two major earthquakes occurring today, one in the Philippines and another one in Sumatra. Some of my friends living in high rise building in Kuala Lumpur felt sort of dizzy due to the tremors from the Sumatran earthquake. According to news report, there are no threat of tsunamis surrounding the affected areas.

Bookworm

Happen to see this book store named "Bookworm" at Miri International Airport.  I think this is the only store bearing that name. I might be wrong to say that this store is not one of the chain stores which has similar name at other locations in the country. Until I find one bookstore with such a name later, I have to update this entry.

Hornbill Skyways Private Jet

Recently, while transiting at Miri Airport, I had an opportunity to snap pictures of a private plane owned by Hornbill Skyways parked at the airport taxiway. The plane is obviously waiting to depart to certain destination and the plane is waiting for some dignitaries to board the plane. Beside dignitaries, such a private plane is frequently used by businessman for their business dealing. You can visit this blog if you wanted to know the experiences of using the private plane and how much it cost to use the plane inclusive of the in flight services.

Travelling using the private plane seemed to be hassle free and you can depart and arrive at your own convenience. As of now, I could only afford to snap pictures of the private plane and see it from afar.

View of the private Jet from the front. Since the private jet is small in size, just wondering why the jet needs to have two jet engines. From my wild guesses, it might be due to aesthetic reason (because symmetric is always associated with beauty) or due to safety reason (if one engine fail then there is always that extra engine on stand by).

Majestic view of the private plane sitting on the tarmac.