ETS operation from KL to Padang Besar yet to be approved

KUALA LUMPUR: Confusion reigns over the actual launching date of KTM Berhad new Electric Train Service (ETS) operation from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar as Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has yet to provide the green light.
A daily newspaper reported last Thursday that KTM Berhad has announced the much anticipated ETS service would officially start from July 1, targeting to cater for the Hari Raya "balik kampung" period for northbound passengers.
KTM was hoping to expedite the approval from SPAD to prepare for the Aidilfitri busy period but theSun understands that the matter is still far from being finalised.
SPAD officials have informed theSun that there are several matters that need to be sorted out including commissioning and ensuring the safety aspects on the 329km electrified double track and the China-made electric trains.
When contacted, SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar has confirmed that the July 1 launching date is doubtful.
"They (KTM) cannot start until we commission their trains. It is true that we have not given the green light ," said Syed Hamid.
SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal said the targeted July 1 date was actually the extension of ETS service to the border from KL-Ipoh service using the current Korean-made trains with top speed of 140km/h.
"Nothing has been finalised. We still need to complete the commissioning of the double-track. Even the new batch of China-made electric trains which can touch 160km/h are yet to undergo full testing. So it will take some time," he said.
Asked if SPAD could complete the commissioning of the double-track and trains before Hari Raya travel period, Nur Ismal said: "It all depends but we don't want to rush anything since safety is our top priority."
The Padang Besar-bound trains have been undergoing trial run since early this year and it was scheduled to be operational in September.
The ETS travel time from the Thailand-Malaysia border to the capital city is expected to be at four hours and 15 minutes.