Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
From Our Readers

The recent breakdown of the Putra LRT Kelana last week has left many public transit users frustrated and concerned. The government wishes to encourage people to use public transit, but the operations and maintenance of these systems is very discouraging.

There may be one positive thing to be gained from this latest breakdown - unsolicited advice coming from people like myself who are not experts (so-called or otherwise) but who just want to see the transit system improve, may finally have some value.

For a long time, there has been concern with the frequent breakdowns of Putra LRT's Kelana Jaya line. Now that RapidKL and SPNB have indicated plans to extend the Kelana Jaya line to Subang Jaya and USJ, concerns are increasing.

Is the problem poor maintenance? Is it an issue with the unique Automated LRT technology designed by Bombardier which is used in only five cities in the world? It is important to find out immediately.

RapidKL, SPNB, and the Ministry of Transport should consult the operator of the Skytrain LRT in Vancouver, Canada (which uses the same Automated LRT technology as Putra LRT), about proper maintenance. A long-term consultation, or an exchange of staff, should be considered. Experts from Bombardier should also be made responsible for finding solutions to this problem.

The continuous breakdowns seem to suggest that the Automated LRT technology may not be the best choice for LRT in Kuala Lumpur. It should also be noted that that Vancouver has decided not to go with this technology for its new Canada line.

Perhaps RapidKL and SPNB should also carefully consider the use of the Automated LRT technology in future extensions and future lines. The fact that there are many other companies, such as Siemens, Hitachi, and Kawasaki that are capable of building good, reliable, traditional LRT systems, is also a good thing. More competition will lead to lower costs.

Finally, I would like to suggest that until they can resolve the issue of the frequent breakdowns, RapidKL and SPNB should reconsider the extension of the Kelana Jaya LRT to Subang Jaya and USJ.

Instead, consider an alternative choice - build a new line connecting Sri Petaling to Kelana Jaya, passing through USJ and Subang Jaya.

This new line would bring more frequent, reliable service to the areas south and west of KL. Extending this line to Damansara would give commuters an LRT alternative to the congested LDP highway. An interchange with the new Damansara-Cheras LRT would also be possible in the near future.

ADS