Train Systems Can be Made More Efficient and Effective

Hong Kong has an extensive MRT Network. Users are using Octopus card for cashless travelling. The card utilizes an integrated payment system and usually given at discounted price.

There are about 4.5 million commuters using the MRT during weekdays.
The main characteristic of Hong Kong MRT system is to have 99% efficiency level in train punctuality. Since the system started operation in the 80's, the MRT system never experience extensive delay and at most only 5 minutes delay due to unaccountable reason.

The operators of the system will disseminate or broadcast alternative routes to users in case of train disruption which most unlikely to happen.

The MRT system in Hong Kong is far from reaching its equilibrium where they are planning to extend the MRT network further to cover more areas throughout the city.

Hopefully, the operators of Malaysian transportation system can emulate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Hong Kong's MRT system.

KLIA Aerotrains Due for Maintenance

KLIA Aerotrain links main and satellite buildings of the airport terminals. According to this news report, the aerotrain will be suspended for three months from November to facilitate maintenance works. The aerotrain units require full servicing and maintenance as they have been operating for 12 years.

During that period, buses would be used to transport passengers between the main terminal and satellite building.

I am just wondering why the maintenance and servicing of the train units were not carried out in stages or periodically in order to avoid all of the aerotrain units to be suspended at the same time. May be there are several reasons behind the decision to suspend all of the units at once for certain period of time. Or may be they already carry out periodic maintenance all this while and now is the time for major servicing and major maintenance. Hope all of the aerotrain will be in perfect working order after the scheduled maintenance.

The proposed maintenance activities will ensure that there will less chance for the train services to be distrupted at any time without proper notice and causing more incovenience to users. As of now, I have not heard any compaints regarding the aerotrain services. The aerotrains have carried out its intended purposes reliably and efficiently. Kudos to all parties involved in choosing the type of trains and for maintaing the trains in good working conditions.

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. 

Promising Future for Public Transport

According to this REPORT, by the year 2012, the waiting time for LRT (Light Rail Transit) will be reduced from currently every three minutes to every two minutes as a result of additional 6 additional trains added in the future. The additional train is said to have four compartments as opposed to two compartments for the existing train. Hopefully, all of the LRT stations, especially underground stations, have enough doors to cater for the additional compartments.

Hopefully, the additional trains will be able to reduce the passengers queueing time at the LRT stations during peak hours. If the congestion level at the LRT stations is improved, then more users will be attracted to use the service because it is more comfortable and convenient to passengers.

I wish that the improvements will be a little bit sooner i.e to be implemented by the year 2010.

KLIA Express Rail Link

The most reliable and fastest way to travel from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) to Kuala Lumpur City Center. It takes only 28 minutes of travel time. Only once before several years ago did I experienced some delay where the train just did not move along its track due to some mulfunction. Other than that I enjoyed very much riding the train.

Great Western Train

Great Western Train
Originally uploaded by wanhashim

This picture was taken at the Paddington Station in London. There is an express train and there is also transit train which stop at almost every stations along the line. The train is very fast due to the superior locomotive and also due to the double or even quadruple tracking along the way. Thus the express train can maintain a very high speed without stopping along the way. Thus, Malaysia should have its own double tracking rails from North until South which will spur the economic growth further along the designated train stations.