The Ipoh Ratepayers and Taxpayers’ Association (Irata) reprimanded both the Transport Ministry and KTM Bhd for confusing commuters with conflicting statements on fares for the recently-launched Electric Train Set (ETS) service.

Irata deputy president Victor Sankey said there seems to be no coordination between the two departments on the fares.

NONE The public should not be subject to confusion with such conflicting statements, said Sankey, urging all those concerned against making public announcements on impulse.

On Aug 11, Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha announced the launch of the Ipoh-Seremban ETS service.

Kong emphasised that the government has capped the one-way fare at RM30 on the KL-Ipoh sector after rejecting KTM’s request for a higher fare.

KTM, however, contradicted Kong when it later announced that the RM30 is only a promotional fare for six months, and that discounts of 40 percent would be available for children, senior citizens and the disabled.

Shortly afterwards, KTMB issued another statement saying that no discounts would be available during the promotional period.

The discount after the six-month promotion would be based on the higher fare of RM46, KTM said.

KTM electrifying

The ETS service is part of the larger RM12.49 billion double-tracking electrified railway project awarded to Gamuda-MMC and slated for completion in 2013. It is reportedly halfway complete.

public transportation 260706 ktm komuter It is a follow up to the double-tracking project from Rawang to Ipoh that was completed on Dec 31, 2007.

According to Star , KTM is upgrading other parts of the rail network in Peninsular Malaysia.

Ircon International Ltd was awarded the RM3.45 billion Seremban-Gemas electrified double-tracking project scheduled for completion in 2012.

The final link due for electrification and upgrade is the Gemas-Johor Baru stretch.

The cost of that project has been reported at RM8 billion and targeted for completion under the 10th Malaysia Plan, although the contract has yet to be awarded.