LRT upgrade works in May

RapidKL has announced that there will be service disruptions on the underground stations of the Kelana Jaya line on Sunday mornings (from 6-10 am) in May.

This is to upgrade the platform screen doors (PSD) at the underground stations to allow for the operation of the 4-carriage trains which are expected to be in service at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.

Service at the above-ground stations (Pasar Seni – Kelena Jaya in the west and Dato’ Keramat – Gombak in the northeast) will continue at normal levels.

For more information read the article below or see RapidKL’s press release here.

LRT disruptions on Kelana Jaya line

PETALING JAYA: There will be disruptions in LRT services from 6am to 10am on Sunday and on May 10, 17 and 24 between several stations on the Kelana Jaya line to facilitate upgrading works.

This is to cater to new four-car trains with a bigger passenger capacity – part of RapidKL’s fleet expansion project for the line.

The affected stations are between Masjid Jamek and Damai, and involve four other stations — Dang Wangi, Kampung Baru, KLCC and Ampang Park. However, LRT services will operate as usual between Kelana Jaya and Pasar Seni, and from Gombak to Datuk Keramat. At a media briefing yesterday, RapidKL general manager Zohari Sulaiman Zohari said free shuttle bus services would be provided between Pasar Seni and Datuk Keramat. However, there would be no stopping at the Kampung Baru station due to route limitations. RapidKL communications division general manager Ebi Azly Abdullah said notices have been put up at all stations and in the trains, and public announcements would be made to inform commuters. “There will be five to six feeder buses, and waiting time will be 10 to 15 minutes,” said Ebi. In a media statement, RapidKL also apologised for any inconvenience caused. Commuters can also visit http://www.rapidkl.com.my or call the helpline at 03-76256999 (8.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday) or e-mail feedback to: suggest@rapidkl.com.my.

TRANSIT says:

We are happy to hear that the platform screen doors are going to be upgrade for 4-carriage operations.

At the same time, we feel compelled to point out that 5-6 feeder buses is not-adequate as a replacement for LRT operations – given that each bus can carry about 50 people while each train can carry approximately 250-300 people. RapidKL would need to have at least 300 buses running in each direction to be able to come close to offering service levels comparable to the LRT.