Early images of our new 4-carriage ART trains

TRANSIT takes note of this article that shows that the Assembly and fitting of the 4-carriage trains for the Kelana Jaya line to be well underway.

BOMBARDIER MEXICO BUILDS WAGONS FOR KUALA LUMPUR’S LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT)
Monday, March 16, 2009

Bombardier Mexico designs and builds new wagons for the Light Rail Transit system of Kuala Lumpur. With the support of PROMEXICO, the Ambassador of Mexico Jorge Alberto Lozoya recently visited in Port Klang the factory of Malaysian corporation Ara Rails, where assembling of the prototype wagons fabricated in Ciudad Sahagun, Mexico, is taking place.

Ambassador Lozoya was received by Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Halim, Executive Director of Hartasuma Sdn Bhd and by Mr. C. Sreejith, Chief Executive Officer of Ara Rails Technology Sdn Bhd who explained that Bombardier Mexico will fabricate 142 wagons during the next two years, especially designed in Mexico according to the needs of Malaysian customers.

During his visit the diplomat was greeted by the six Mexican technicians that will remain in Malaysia during several months in order to familiarize local workers with the improvements generated by the new technology.

TRANSIT Says:

We found this article from a discussion forum and are looking for the weblink so we can find the original source. In the meantime, we take note of the features of the LRT and hope to find out more.

Perhaps we can make arrangements with Hartasuma for a site visit just as we were able to do with Scania for the K-Series RapidPenang buses.

We do take note (as described above) that RapidKL corporate colours (red and blue) are being used for the seats and that the windows to the trains can be opened.

We also note that the outfitter is using the same vinyl and plastic hand straps and the same smooth metal poles.

This is disappointing because of the risk of transfer of germs. Take a close look at the rubber hand straps next time you are on the KJ Line and you will see what we mean.

Many transit operators have moved to anti-bacterial coatings/coverings* for surfaces like straps and grab bars. Aside from offering a better grip, they also prevent the transfer of germs, bacteria and viruses.

*Note: We are looking for accurate images of these anti-bacterial coatings/coverings to post here and will update this posting if such images can be found.

Here is a photo of the updated interior of the ART Mark II trains (similar to the Kelana Jaya LRT) being used in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For a larger photo of the image above please follow this link.

Technical drawings and more information about the Bombardier Advanced Rapid Transit Mark II design can be found at the links below.  Please note that these are from the Bombardier website, and the comments, data and other things expressed may not reflect the views of the people at TRANSIT.

• General Info about ART system
• .pdf file on the ART system
• Info about ART in KL