20 July 2022
A total of 27 new light rail transit (LRT) trains will begin operations on the Kelana Jaya LRT line from July 2023, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Transport Minister said eight trains would commence operations in stages beginning July next year with the remaining 19 to enter the line by the end of 2024.
“As safety is our utmost priority, the trains must undergo the due safety processes and run for several thousand kilometres before being allowed to operate.
“The trains will also undergo very stringent checks and commissioning tests among others before entering the line,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the trains’ final assembly and bogies’ assembly process at the Hartasuma Sdn Bhd production facility in Pulau Indah.
The upcoming 27 trains are under the Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicle (KLAV) 27 project valued at RM1.72bil.
It is done in consortium between Hartasuma Sdn Bhd and Alstom S.A, a global rolling stock manufacturer.
Dr Wee also noted that the initiatives by Hartasuma Sdn Bhd to collaborate with institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia were also crucial towards developing industry professionals.
Earlier at the event, Hartasuma Sdn Bhd co-founder and executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon said bogie assembly for the first eight trains in this project were done in Mexico with the remaining 19 assembled at the facility in Pulau Indah.
“Initiatives like these increase Malaysia’s technical capabilities and reduce foreign outflow.
“The technology transfers also allow us to explore opportunities such as cable car systems,” he said during his speech.
Also present were Transport Ministry deputy secretary general Datuk Razali Mohamad (MOT), Hartasuma Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Zulkiple Hj Kassim, its executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, managing director Datuk Abdul Rahman Abdul Halim, co-founder and director Datuk Aisamar Kadil Mydin Syed Marikiah and Prasarana Group president and chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah.
On Facebook, Dr Wee shared that Hartasuma was a pioneer in the evolution of the local rolling stock industry by supplying the first locally assembled passenger coaches and Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Malaysia to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) and Prasarana Malaysia respectively.
“To date, the company has delivered more than 400 cars,” he said.
He added that the new four-car sets would be replacing the current two-car sets though a few of the older sets would still be in use to alleviate congestion.
“I hope more local companies can showcase our (local) capabilities to the international market.
“The purpose of building more manufacturing and commissioning facilities will reduce our dependence on international suppliers,” he said.
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Source: www.thestar.com.my
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