KTMB to add another nine electric train service sets by end of 2018

ALOR STAR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will furnish another nine electric train service (ETS) sets by the end of next year, said its chairman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad.
He said it involved an allocation of about RM540 million, for travel from Gemas-Kuala Lumpur-Padang Besar, to overcome congestion on weekends and school holidays.
"We currently have 14 sets which involve 36 to 40 trips daily and with the addition of these nine sets, we can cater up to 14,000 people, compared to 7,000 passengers a day now," he said at the Launch of KTM Komuter Six Car Set in the Northern Sector, at the Alor Star Station here, today.
Nawawi said the nine sets had been ordered and were currently being manufactured in China.
He said besides having a cafeteria, television sets and prayer rooms, the new ETS would also have free WiFi service for all passengers.
"The government is doing this not just for profit, but to enable people to get from one place to another, and help the economic growth in the areas involved," he said.
Commenting on the launch event today, Nawawi said two sets of SCS commuter trains were loaned from the Klang Valley to the Northern Sector to facilitate high passenger traffic volume on weekends.
He said it involved the Padang Besar-Butterworth-Padang Besar route which began operating today.
According to him, the average number of passengers currently is 12,000 per day, and it will increase to 17,000 people with the addition of the two SCS commuter trains.
"On Saturdays and Sundays, the number of passengers increases as many students return from hostels, while many go to Padang Besar to buy items from there ... this addition (of two SCS) will provide greater comfort to passengers," he said.
In addition to affordable fares, up to 50% discount is also given to senior citizens and persons with disability while children, four years and below, travel free of charge. — Bernama