The urban folks already facing rising costs of living such as increased toll charges have now to contend with higher train fares.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) today announced that KTM Komuter, which mostly operates within the Klang Valley, will increase its fare rate to the maximum RM7.10 per trip..

KTM Berhad chairperson Sarbini Tijan ( photo, centre ) said the price hike would be effective from Dec 2.

"KTM's new fare structure will cover the operating and maintenance costs that have been rising every year."

"The purchase of spare parts has become increasingly expensive with the drop in the ringgit," he told press conference in KL Sentral today.

The increase in the fare will only affect Tanjung Malim-Sungai Gadut and Batu Caves-Pelabuhan Klang routes. The southern Sungai Gadut-Tampin and Northern Kamuting-Gurun routes are not affected.

The highest hike - RM 7.10 - will apply to the Tanjung Malim-Sungai Gadut route. It will increase from RM12.10 to RM19.20.

Shabini said the government only approved the hike from 11 to 15 sen per km, which is insufficient to cover operating cost, which is 20 sen per km.

Discount for passengers

He added that the sole national railway company has to find ways to make up for the shortfall.

Shabini said the last fare revision was in Febuary 2003.

However, he said passengers could still enjoy 20% discount if they used Touch ‘N Go card.

Passengers can also get 24% and 33% discount for weekly and monthly tickets.

Senior citizens, disabled persons, children aged two to six, and primary, secondary and tertiary students will enjoy 50% discount.

It is free for children below two.

Shabini said despite the cuts in uneconomical train route subsidy, KTM intercity service rate would not be increased.

He said the uneconomical routes included the route from Singapore Woodlands to Kelantan Tumpat, mainly located in the East Coast.

On the issue of defective KTM Komuter ticketing system, KTM Commuter Services Azshidah Shah Shahari said the system is obsolete.

"We will use a new automated fare collection (system) ... it will be ready in June or July next year."

"With the new system, cash or cashless payment will not be a problem."

Currently, the KTM Komuter ticket vendor machine and gate system are not functioning properly, resulting in long queue of passengers.