KL LRTs

[Ijud]

In conjunction to have integrated transportation system in KL, the Goverment Cabinet yesterday (17/09/2003) decided to take over all bus companies that operates in KL with retrospective effect from September 1. The government-controlled Prasarana Nasional Berhad is also the owner of Putra LRT and Star LRT. By having all transportation system under one company, it will accelerate the common ticketing system project that is planned to be fully operational by next year.

[Ijud]

The Malaysian Government has appointed a new joint-venture company to manage the public transportation system for Klang Valley. The newco comprises Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh (heads Nadicorp Holdings Sdn Bhd that runs a fleet of 1,200 buses plying national routes and has 10% stake in KLIA Ekspress/Transit), KLIG (owner-operator of the KL Monorail & monorail/bus coach manufacturer) and KUB (whose CEO Che Khalib Mohd Noh had been the former executive council chairman of KTM Bhd). It will operate Park May and Intrakota buses which have between them up to 80% of the total daily bus ridership, PUTRAline LRT and STARline LRT which have total daily ridership of 165,000 and 100,000 respectively and KL Monorail which have 25,000 daily ridership. Other transport operators such as KTM Komuter, bus lines Metrobus and Triton would continue to be run independently. However, an integration agreement would be signed between Prasarana and these parties to ensure that their operations were coordinated with that of the master operator.

[Ijud]

Prasarana plans to build own light rail coaches

BUILDING its own coaches for its light rail transit (LRT) operations with the prospect of exporting them in the future is what Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) is focusing on.

The need for more coaches arises as the capacity of the Putra LRT reaches optimum levels. Adding more coaches is the obvious answer, but for now, the imported coaches are too pricey.

“We are not in a position to buy, but we can build them ourselves.

“We hope to embark on the manufacture of coaches over the next few months,” SPNB chief executive officer Ridza Abdoh Hj Salleh said.

He said the company's depot at Kelana Jaya, Selangor, would be used as the manufacturing facility.

It costs about RM12mil to buy a coach from abroad, but SPNB is confident it can build one for half that amount and that it would meet international standards in terms of quality and performance.

And Ridza is confident there would be a market for the coaches “as many countries are waiting for such coaches.”

Meanwhile, ridership on the Putra LRT has hit 170,000 passengers per day, having seen a 5% increase per year since SPNB took control of the operation in May 1999. Passenger traffic before then was only 45,000 per month.

“Since taking over Putra, there have been a lot of changes.

“We have improved customer service, reduced fares, and we have made sure the trains are more reliable,” Ridza said.

In the case of Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan (STAR), the growth in ridership is about 2% and 3% annually.

“When we took over STAR, the ridership was stagnant at 85,000 passengers a day.

“It has since risen and now averages 117,000 passengers a day. At times, it has even hit 120,000,” Ridza said.

Going forward, the challenge for SPNB is to sustain its growth. That would not be easy, Ridza conceded.

“To be an international player, the company has to continuously improve and it should not be at the expense of consumers paying for its services.”

Providing easier access to users of the LRT is also on the cards and this means doing away with long staircases in some stations.

“Our aim is to continue to work and improve services and our efficiency and offer value to our customers,” Ridza said.

Asked if SPNB was considering a listing, he said: “Anything is possible.”

[Ijud]

Prasarana turns sights overseas

NOW that both the light rail transit (LRT) projects are operationally profitable, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) is oving beyond Malaysia's shores to export its expertise and has so far secured two consultancy projects in New York and Bangkok.

SPNB chief executive officer Ridza Abdoh Salleh said the company had also done some preliminary works for an LRT project in China.

“China has expressed its intention to appoint us as consultants for its LRT project,” Ridza told StarBiz in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He added that several West Asian countries had asked SPNB to submit proposals for LRT projects on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. Besides, these countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran – Pakistan too had made a similar request.

“We'd like to go global as we have spent years building, planning and operating the current LRT systems (STAR and Putra), with minimum assistance from overseas consultants. Having (gained the knowledge), expertise and capabilities, we want to now export it,” he said.

He added that SPNB’s aim was to be a total railway solutions provider.

Two of its executives are now in New York to assist in the central control operations for New York’s latest rail system at the JFK International Airport. The 13km AirTrain JFK links nine terminals at the airport with two branches that interface with New York’s regional transit systems.

The system is slated to be operational next year. Two more SPNB executives will be in New York by the end of the month.

Early next year, a team of six people will be assigned to help the Blue Line underground Metro system in Bangkok, Thailand.

Although Ridza said the cost of the consultancy works was small at this juncture, they were a starting point for SPNB in its quest to go global.

“We did not get these projects by accident. We worked for them. We formed quality control circles (QCC) within the organisations and each team had to come up with the (best practices) in the areas of engineering, maintenance, operations and customer service,” he said.

With the QCC, the company managed to reduce the delay time for Putra LRT from 17 minutes per day initially to 1.9 minutes per day now. Train availability is among the highest in the world at 99.4% – at times 99.65% – compared with 96% previously.

SPNB, which is wholly owned by Minister of Finance Inc, began operations in 1998. It took over the operations of Putra LRT in May 1999 and STAR last year. It also operates a cable car project for the Langkawi Development Authority.

SPNB also took over the liabilities of Putra and STAR of RM4bil and RM3bil respectively. The government has since issued RM6.4bil worth of bonds to address the debt issue.

The company’s LRT business is now operationally profitable. It chalks up about RM13mil in revenues a year and net profit is RM2mil to RM3mil.

Last month, the government announced that a consortium would be formed to integrate the public transport system in the Klang Valley. The two LRT projects would also be part of the integration process.

Asked what SPNB’s role will be with the consortium in place, Ridza said: “We will play a big role in the integration, in the sense that we are the biggest transportation provider in the Klang Valley since we carry over 300,000 passengers per day.”

He declined to elaborate.

[Ijud]

The Edge: 28th. November 2004

Rapid KL on the move
By Yap Lih Huey

The newly-formed government agency to integrate the Klang Valley’s public transport system, Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras (Rapid) KL, has started operations.

Newly painted public buses emblazoned with the Rapid KL logo in red, blue and white were seen plying some of the busiest routes in the Klang Valley on Nov 24.

FinancialDaily reported on Sept 16 that Rapid KL will take over Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd’s (SPNB) operational role and assets in Putra, Star, Intrakota and CityLiner, leaving SPNB’s role to build and finance the infrastructure.

A media briefing organised by the Steering Committee for the Integration and Restructuring of the Public Transport System in the Klang Valley (Inspak) will be held today at Putrajaya.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Datuk Siti Hadzar, chairperson of Inspak are expected to talk about Inspak’s action plans.

Among others, they will also talk about the core changes to public transportation services in the Klang Valley and the responsibility of SPNB and Rapid KL.

Inspak is tasked with encouraging greater use of public transportation to reduce traffic congestion and initiate the establishment of the Klang Valley Urban Transport Authority as the regulatory authority for public transportation in the Klang Valley.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy has said the use of public transportation has decreased from 34% in 1985 to the current 16% of the total mode of transportation among commuters; while the use of private cars has jumped to 71% from 47% for the same period.

[GWR]

http://www.stesensentral.com/
Living proof that toerags surf the net:-

Prohibited Action at the Station
NO Smoking
NO Bringing Animals
NO Trespassing
NO Bringing in Bicycle
NO Skating
NO Skateboard
NO Vandalism
NO Carrying Hazardous Material
NO Begging
NO Loitering
NO Littering

http://www.stesensentral.com/page.cf...A2&type=wyswyg

[Ijud]

Prasarana To Buy 140 Trains Worth RM2 Bln
By Ashwin Raman, 03 Jan 2006 9:52 PM


PETALING JAYA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) will buy up to 140 units of trains worth RM2 billion, largely to be used by PUTRAline.

PUTRAline is one of the Light Rail Transits (LRT) operating in Klang Valley. The other LRT is called STARline.

Prasarana is the assets owner of the public transport infrastructure for both LRT and buses currently operated by RAPIDKL.

At the handing over ceremony of 120 new buses to RAPIDKL here, today, its chief executive officer, Shaipudin Shah Harun said PUTRAline was now running at over capacity by about 40 percent.

He said the first batch of units would be delivered to SPNB or better known as Prasarana within 18 to 20 months while the rest of the units in three years' time.

"Tender has been out and we are at the evaluating stage," he said, adding that Prasarana was expected to award the contract before the second quarter of this year.

He said the purchase of new trains was expected to match the expected double capacity for PUTRAline in the next three years.

Currently, PUTRAline passengers stand at 190,000 per day while STARline is running at under capacity of about 30 percent.

According to Shaipudin, Prasarana is also looking at expanding PUTRAline track at between 10 and 12 kilometers but declined to specify the areas.

On bus transportation, Prasarana in its commitment to improve the public transport in Klang Valley is planning to have some 1,000 new buses in two years.

One bus would cost some RM400,000, he noted, adding that some aged buses meanwhile would undergo "refurbishment" programme.

Today's handing over of 120 new buses to RAPIDKL or Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd, is an addition to the existing fleet of about 1,117 buses.

Asked on how Prasarana planned to fund the acquisition of new buses and trains, Shaipudin said the company might consider raising funds via the capital market "very soon." He said Prasarana was also considering ringgit denominated borrowing and was in the midst of discussion to find a "right mixture" for the debt.

Meanwhile, RAPIDKL's chief executive officer, Rein Westra said the company would ensure "the redesigning of a new bus network" this year.

He said the 120 new buses would be spearheading the first phase of the implementation of the new bus network beginning in the city centre this month.

"When the city shuttle network is in place, there will be no need to drive downtown. We are talking about a bus service every five minutes and everyone within walking distance from a bus stop or an LRT or rail station," he said.

RAPIDKL is also introducing trunk lines and local suburban shuttles, which offer a 10 to 15 minutes interval.

"Once these are implemented, it will form a smooth circle or flow of public transport promoting shorter travel time and more pleasant journey for the public," Wester said.

[jpatokal]

The background for this is that the shuttle bus service to LRT stations is incredibly dysfunctional, there are weekly stories in the press about people waiting 2-3 hours for a bus and then giving up in disgust.

And yeah, PUTRA is badly over capacity, I currently commute on the thing daily and I do my best to avoid rush hours, which are becoming distinctly Tokyo-like...

[mrtfreak]

I don't think this has been brought up here yet, but RAPID KL recently announced two new extensions to the KL LRT system. This comes 7 years after the completion of both the STAR and PUTRA networks. Both companies were bought over by SPNB and in 2004 (I think), both systems were re-branded as RAPID KL. The STARline trains sport a new livery, the original of the PUTRAline trains (black, white and red).

PUTRA extension: The PUTRA RAPID KL line, known now as the Kelana Jaya line, will be extended Westwards to Subang Jaya.

STAR extension: The STAR RAPID KL line, known now as the Sri Petaling and Ampang lines, will be extended from Sri Petaling to Old Kland Road.

Construction on both lines is supposed to start within the year.

New trains for the Kelana Jaya line will be ordered to increase the capacity of the line. According to the railway technology site, the Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) Mark II trains are capable of operating in sets of 4 cars.

[jpatokal]

Do you have a source? Neither RapidKL nor Google News seems to have anything.

[mrtfreak]

Originally Posted by jpatokal

Do you have a source? Neither RapidKL nor Google News seems to have anything.

KL bus and rail overhaul
Minderjeet Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3:


The public transport system here and in Petaling Jaya will be overhauled at a cost of RM2 billion and work will commence this year.

The plan calls for putting more buses on the road and extending the commuter rail service.

"We are going all out to get people out of their cars andon to buses and trains," Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad chief executive officer Shaipudin Shah Harun said today.

SPNB, which owns both Kuala Lumpur’s light rail transit and buses under the name RapidKL, will streamline the existing public transport infrastructure.

Some features of the plan:

• Improving bus service.

• Extending the Putra LRT rail service to Subang Jaya and the Star LRT service to Old Klang Road.

• Adding carriages to the existing Putra LRT’s two-carriage trains and building up to 12 new lines.













The plan was announced by Shaipudin after he handed over 120 buses, costing RM43.2 million, to RapidKL.

With the new buses, SPNB has delivered 202 buses to RapidKL.

He said only 15 per cent of the people who travelled to work in the city daily were using public transport.

"We aim to double Kuala Lumpur’s bus ridership in two years to bring it on par with Bangkok, but we will still be way behind Singapore’s 60 per cent," he said.

RapidKL’s data show that about 1.5 million people drive to the city centre and only about 500,000 use public transport.

The data show that 180,000 commute by bus, while 190,000 take the Putra LRT, exceeding its capacity by 40 per cent.

Another 120,000 go by Star LRT, which is under-utilised by 66 per cent.

To attract more commuters to use the trains, Shaipudin said the existing rail services would be extended by 10 to 15km.

He said part of the funding would come from the Government and the rest would be raised from the capital market.

Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd (RapidKL) chief executive officer Rein Westra said by the end of next year there would be 1,500 buses serving Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.

A new ticketing system will also be introduced to integrate the bus and train services.

The City Shuttle Network, which will ensure everyone is within 250m of a bus stop or an LRT station, covers five new hubs. These are Pekeliling, KLCC, KL Sentral, Central Market and Taman Maluri.

"The service will start in the middle of this month and we are talking about a bus service every five minutes," Westra said.

RapidKL now has a fleet of 1,117 buses serving 15 routes.

- The New Straits Times

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...&page=13&pp=20

[mrtfreak]

Prasarana To Buy 140 Trains Worth RM2 Bln
By Ashwin Raman, 03 Jan 2006 9:52 PM


PETALING JAYA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) will buy up to 140 units of trains worth RM2 billion, largely to be used by PUTRAline.

PUTRAline is one of the Light Rail Transits (LRT) operating in Klang Valley. The other LRT is called STARline.

Prasarana is the assets owner of the public transport infrastructure for both LRT and buses currently operated by RAPIDKL.

At the handing over ceremony of 120 new buses to RAPIDKL here, today, its chief executive officer, Shaipudin Shah Harun said PUTRAline was now running at over capacity by about 40 percent.

He said the first batch of units would be delivered to SPNB or better known as Prasarana within 18 to 20 months while the rest of the units in three years' time.

"Tender has been out and we are at the evaluating stage," he said, adding that Prasarana was expected to award the contract before the second quarter of this year.

He said the purchase of new trains was expected to match the expected double capacity for PUTRAline in the next three years.

Currently, PUTRAline passengers stand at 190,000 per day while STARline is running at under capacity of about 30 percent.

According to Shaipudin, Prasarana is also looking at expanding PUTRAline track at between 10 and 12 kilometers but declined to specify the areas.

On bus transportation, Prasarana in its commitment to improve the public transport in Klang Valley is planning to have some 1,000 new buses in two years.

One bus would cost some RM400,000, he noted, adding that some aged buses meanwhile would undergo "refurbishment" programme.

Today's handing over of 120 new buses to RAPIDKL or Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd, is an addition to the existing fleet of about 1,117 buses.

Asked on how Prasarana planned to fund the acquisition of new buses and trains, Shaipudin said the company might consider raising funds via the capital market "very soon." He said Prasarana was also considering ringgit denominated borrowing and was in the midst of discussion to find a "right mixture" for the debt.

Meanwhile, RAPIDKL's chief executive officer, Rein Westra said the company would ensure "the redesigning of a new bus network" this year.

He said the 120 new buses would be spearheading the first phase of the implementation of the new bus network beginning in the city centre this month.

"When the city shuttle network is in place, there will be no need to drive downtown. We are talking about a bus service every five minutes and everyone within walking distance from a bus stop or an LRT or rail station," he said.

RAPIDKL is also introducing trunk lines and local suburban shuttles, which offer a 10 to 15 minutes interval.

"Once these are implemented, it will form a smooth circle or flow of public transport promoting shorter travel time and more pleasant journey for the public," Wester said.

- The New Straits Times

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The design and construction contract was let to Bombardier of North America. They operate in 35 two-car sets initially, but if demand warrants, can be expanded to three- or four-vehicle formations.

http://www.railway-technology.com/pr.../kuala_lumpur/

[mrtfreak]

Corporate: Work on LRT lines to start this year?

By Nadia S Hassan


Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) will extend the Putra and Star LRT (light rail transits) lines as well as construct a new line.
SPNB chief executive officer Shaipudin Shah Harun says the Putra and Star lines will be extended by between 10 and 12 km each, whilst the new line may reach up to 30 km and dissect the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

SPNB is the ultimate holding company under Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc) and owns the rail lines in addition to the Cityliner and Intrakota buses. The assets are managed and maintained by SPNB's sister company, Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd (Rapid KL), which is also under MOF Inc's umbrella.

Shaipudin says SPNB is hoping to start work on the expansion this year.
"SPNB is currently undertaking preliminary studies, which should take a few months. It is quite complex, involving not only passenger volume — both present and future — but also geological, that is soil conditions that will have an impact on the complexity or ease of construction, and hence, cost. Not to mention cost of land acquisition if we have to go through populated areas."
However, Shaipudin did not reveal the total cost of these new lines, saying only that they are "big ticket" items and could cost billions of ringgit.
"Unfortunately, we cannot give any indication right now until our studies are complete and the numbers are clearer," he says.
Apart from expanding its existing rail lines, SPNB is also investing in additional carriages. It was previously reported that SPNB was looking to invest RM2 billion in new carriages for the Putra LRT.

Shaipudin says SPNB is in the process of acquiring up to 140 additional train coaches for the Putra line, which is heavily congested. The company expects to receive the first batch of new trains in the next 18 to 20 months.
The Putra and Star lines carry a total of about 3.3 million customers per week, according to Rapid KL.

Shaipudin declined to comment on the route of the extended rail lines or the new line, saying it was too early to tell. It had been reported that SPNB was planning to extend the Putra line to Subang Jaya and the Star line to Old Klang Road.

However, industry sources say the extension to the LRT lines could take the form of four packages for four stretches ranging from 8 km to 15 km each. The sources say the tentative extensions are:

From Putra's Kerinchi station to Kota Damansara;
From Putra's Kelana Jaya station to Subang Jaya;
From Star's Bandar Tasek Selatan station to Taman Tun Hussein Onn in Cheras; and
From Star's Bukit Jalil station to Bandar Sunway.

However, the sources say the tentative routes could change as the project firms up.

SPNB has also enlisted the services of SNC Lavalin Sdn Bhd (SNCL) as its system and engineering consultant. Shaipudin says that SNCL is advising SPNB on its purchase of the new Putra train coaches.
When asked if the presence of SNCL would help to bring down the cost of construction, Shaipudin says, "Cost, although very important, should not be the overriding consideration. In an extreme example, the cost may be very cheap, but there may be sacrifices or trade-offs along the way, which may not acceptable.

"Our guiding principle would be the lowest acceptable proposal, with emphasis on the word 'acceptable', which denotes a comprehensive evaluation."
SPNB had assumed management of the Putra LRT in September 2002 from Renong Bhd as part of the government's restructuring of Kuala Lumpur's public transport system. The government had taken over all of Putra's assets and outstanding debts amounting to RM4.2 billion. The Putra LRT, which had originally cost RM5.2 billion, stretches 29 km from Taman Melawati to Kelana Jaya.

SPNB took over the Star line about two months later. The Star line runs from The Mall in Kuala Lumpur to Bukit Jalil.
SPNB is in the process of renaming the Putra line as the Kelana Jaya line, and the Star line as the Ampang and Sri Petaling line.

The company is also investing in new buses. It was reported that SPNB would spend up to RM280 million to add 600 new buses to its fleet of 1,237 vehicles. The present fleet services some 1.3 million customers per week.
SPNB hopes to get the new buses on the road by September.

__________________________________________________ _____________

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=327314

[yapcl90]

Under 9MP(9th Malaysia Project) there will be some expansion consturuction on current LRT system that we having. http://www.prasarana.com.my/TheEdge[7March06].html

[Ijud]

The Star: 30th August 2006

Rail travel expansion

By MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR

PUTRAJAYA: A new light rail transit line linking Kota Damansara and Cheras will be running in four years’ time, and the present LRT networks expanded, under a special RM10bil Government allocation for an efficient and cost-effective public transport system in the Klang Valley.

The new line will cover some 30km and cut across Kuala Lumpur.

The Kelana Jaya line (formerly Putra LRT) will be extended to Subang Jaya and USJ, while the Sri Petaling line (formerly Star LRT) will cover Puchong.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who made the announcement, said Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) – the holding company under Ministry of Finance Incorporated – had tabled its public transportation plan in the Klang Valley up to 2010.

SPNB owns the rail lines as well as the Cityliner and Intrakota buses operated by Rapid KL.

“Apart from the new rail line, SPNB will buy train coaches, new buses, develop new infrastructure, set up a new ticketing programme and build integrated transport terminals in Gombak and Bandar Tasik Selatan.

“Rapid KL will get 1,130 buses and repair its present fleet of 600 buses. So by the first quarter of next year, Rapid KL will have more than 1,700 buses plying bus routes within the Klang Valley,” he told newsmen after chairing the first meeting of the Cabinet committee on public transportation.

Also present was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

To enhance the bus service, SPNB and Rapid KL will provide shuttle services to housing estates within the Klang Valley.

Najib hoped that with all the new elements in place, public transportation in the Klang Valley would be a fully integrated system comprising the LRT, monorail, commuter train, Express Rail Link and buses.

The new and extended LRT lines and more buses on the road will boost the Government’s effort to increase public transport usage in the Klang Valley. The average number of daily passengers for rail-related transport barely reached 450,000 last year.

“The low percentage of city folks using public transport is one of the contributing factors to traffic congestion,” the Deputy Prime Minister said, adding that the Government wanted to increase the percentage of public transport passengers from 11% to 40% to be in line with big cities worldwide.

Najib also said that the RM4.4bil the Government was supposed to have saved when it slashed fuel subsidies, the savings to be channelled to improving public transport, had been wiped out by escalating global fuel prices.

“So this money (RM10bil) is a special allocation because the Government is committed to improving the system,” he added.

SPNB chief executive officer Shaipuddin Shah Harun said the cost to build the new line and two extensions was estimated at RM7bil.

However, he said, the company was still studying how best to connect the new line between Kota Damansara and Cheras to the existing lines and the extensions from Kelana Jaya and USJ and from Sri Petaling to Puchong.

“We are still studying the geographical area where the lines would run, the suitability of each station, the cost and time to construct the project,” he added.

He said, for example, there were several options for the line between Kelana Jaya and USJ.

“The study to identify the potential routes started three months ago. We are half way through it. The final report should be completed in October,” he added.