This train is the first of 6 trains which will arrive over the remainder of this year, and will likely be put into service in late December 2011 or early 2012.
TRANSIT was invited to the arrival ceremony but were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. However, we thank KTMB for the invitation.
PORT KLANG: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) has received the first batch of six electric train coaches from the Transport Ministry.
First batch: Kong (in tie) inspecting one of the electric train coaches in Port Klang Thursday. Image courtesy of The Star.
Its minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the Six-Car-Set (SCS) manufactured by China’s Zhu Zhou Electric Locomotives Co Ltd were shipped from Shanghai Port on Sept 13 and reached Westport at 2am yesterday.
“Unloading work began from 8am and was completed at 5pm,” said Kong, who was at the presentation ceremony at Wharf 3, Westport in Port Klang.
He said the coaches were part of the 38 new sets for the KTM Komuter service which are being financed via allocations from the Federal Government under the sixth initiative of the National Key Results Area programme.
“Under this initiative, RM1.894bil has been spent to buy the 38 sets which will help improve the quality of the KTM Komuter service,” Kong said.
He said delivery of the sets would be in batches and completed by May next year.
“The coaches will undergo operational and security tests before they are deemed safe for use,” he said, adding that it would take one to two months to test each set.
“The sets will be sent to the depot in Batu Gajah Perak for tests. The first train is expected to start service by December.”
Kong said his ministry was optimistic that with the new trains, the schedule of train arrivals could be shortened from 30 minutes to just 10 minutes and the target to increase capacity from 95,000 commuters to between 150,000 and 200,000 would be achieved.
There was also coverage of the arrival in the Railway Gazette:
MALAYSIA: CSR Zhuzhou delivered the first of 38 six-car electric multiple-units to KTMB in September, having rolled it out just a year after the 4bn yuan order was signed in July 2010.
Six are scheduled to arrive this year, entering traffic from January on KTM Komuter services in the Klang Valley around Kuala Lumpur.
Siemens has supplied the electrical equipment for the 25 kV metre-gauge units, which have a continuous rating of 3·5 MW, a top speed of 140 km/h and regenerative braking. Tricon Design was responsible for styling the exterior and interior, which is designed to handle large passenger flows.
By the way, for those who are interested, here are some technical data about the six car train:
Car Length, Height, Width
Motor Cars (2) are 23500mm (23.5 m) long
Motor Cab cars (2) are 23700 (23.7m long)
Trailer Cars (2) are 22800mm (22.8 m) long
Total length of the train is 138 600 mm (138.6 meter) long.
Height is 39050 mm (3.905 m)
Width is 27500 mm (2.75m)
Train Configuration
Mc-T-M(w)-M(w)-T-Mc
where M = Motor, T = Trailer, Mc = motor car with cab and M(w) = women-only coach
TRANSIT Says:
First of all, congratulations to KTMB & KTM Komuter. We are looking forward to the arrival of the new trains. We are also looking forward to a full Parliamentary investigation of the purchasing contracts for the new trains but that isn’t likely to happen anytime soon.
It is nice to have new things. TRANSIT only hopes that the public & KTMB staff will treat these new trains with care and treat each other (and other KTMB passengers) with courtesy & respect.
The new trains look markedly different and up-to-date as compared to the older KTM Komuter trains. It is almost a shock to consider that the oldest of our KTM Komuter is a “teenager” (16+ years).
Sadly, too many of our “teenage” trains will not survive to see their 20th birthday. And when a train can last around 30 years (although the correct measurement is in distance traveled, we like to use years to help our readers understand) before a major overhaul is needed, the fact that all of our existing trains are in crisis now from parts shortages & deferred maintenance … and in need of major overhaul as “teenage” trains … is something that is disappointing to us.
So while we are happy to welcome the new trains, we want to remind the public and the government of Malaysia and KTMB about the existing trains that have been cannibalized for parts and left to rot.
KTM Komuter trains at the Serendah yard. The train on the left is from Hyundai Rotem and the train on the right from Ganz Jenbacher. Image courtesy of @Tunomura
Click here for a larger version of the image above.
A KTM Komuter train from Ganz-Jenbacher sits at the Serendah yard. Image courtesy of Tunomura.
Click here for a larger version of the image above.
We understand that some people will not like that TRANSIT is connecting the new trains to the old ones that are falling apart. They prefer that we look forward to the future rather than focus on the mistakes of the past. But we at TRANSIT believe that we must understand the mistakes of the past in order to have a better & brighter future.
22 replies on “New KTM Komuter trains arrive in Port Klang (Update #2)”
If not mistaken those Ganz-Jenbacher trains are the ones from Rawang.
these dead trains should be donated to johor. I hear they are building a new line.
@kite
As far as we know these trains are seriously “dead” because of mechanical problems, propulsion systems that have been out of commission, etc. Further, there is no new supply of parts coming from Ganz-Jenbacher or Union Carriage.
These trains are truly dead and they are not going anywhere except to the scrapyard or the bottom of the South China Sea.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
hope that it will last long since it…
For many komuter passengers, the day when they see the new trains in service at the KTM stations it will be no different like seeing the MIRACLE arrival of Bodhisatta Guan Yin the Goddes of Mercy to save some suffering souls from further TORTURES and ABUSED!!!
I’m sorry miracle don’t come easily. New trains would only be slightly more comfortable when the train stalls to wait for intercity train to pass by. KTM still has a long way to go on alleviating track congestion.
P.S.: Especially during the peak hours.
I strongly believe those rotting trains could be salvaged..if not throw them into the seas to become tukun.
Allurban,
I am stil not satisfied with 6 carriage trains…is it possible to have married cars up to 12 coaches(so combine 2 trains)…I just went through KTM Komuter at KL Sentral, it is chaos!!!..I am sure the 6 car trains will be overwhelmed in a jiffy..we need longer trains..I have been to Melbourne several times and always benchmark their commuter services to KTM Komuter as both city has about the same population and large conurbation and theirs have 8 cars trains that are wider and longer and still overwhelmed and 80% of Melbourne;s trips are by public transport, considering that 15% public transport rate in KL is already bursting the LRT/KTM at the seams, an increase to 30% would surely overhwelm the 6 car trains and 4 car LRT…not to mention the major KTM/LRT stations that seem to be built when Klang Valley is half its population now…the KTM need to revitalize its sevices from top to bottom….please do not think like Indian railways because if they’re stuck like the current midnset we will be like india with passengers on the roof and hanging off the doors..
@forrestcat
Thanks for the feedback. It would be hard to salvage the trains without a continuous supply of parts and as far as we know, that supply has dried up for the Ganz-Jenbacher and Union Carriage trains. Hyundai Rotem still can provide some parts for the trains that they manufactured, but would probably prefer to sell more trains to KTMB instead.
We certainly agree that there is a need for larger trains. Back in 2008 when we first started meeting with KTMB we were told of plans to purchase a 4-carriage trainset which could be configured to make 8 or 12 carriage trains. There was a plan to purchase some of these trains with the ETS order but everything got quite mixed up.
We agree that Melbourne is a good benchmark since their METRO commuter service also acts as a de-facto underground metro with frequencies at 5 minutes or worse. However, we might point out that you have underestimated the size of the area that is served by METRO commuter rail, suburban buses, and of course Melbourne’s Trams.
It is not the mainlines that brings the customers in, but rather the feeder & distributor system that encourages people to use public transport. In Melbourne you literally “can get there from here” with relative ease thanks to suburban feeder buses, a large scale mainline rail network, and a large distribution network of trams and walkways. KL may be similar in size & population to Melbourne but we are nowhere close to having that kind of a complete public transport & passenger distribution network.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
Well, Melbourne actually refurbished their Hitachi trains from the 60’s to make up train numbers!! Surely those carcasses can be retrofitted with new motor system,converting to DMU would be good enough.I am sure even the Chinese can do it.I dunno, I hope those 10-11 trains can be salvaged for some good use..make into playgrounds if that’s the only option!
I agree Melbourne is far ahead of us. I am lways impressed with their tram system, whhich pretty fun and I am impressed I see all walks of life using the trams-schoolkids, professionals and the plebeians. KL’s only option for feeder and distributor system would be our bus fleet which i abysmally small at excess of 1000 buses compared to Singapore with 3000 buses..but I am optimistic that gradually we’ll add more buses as the government is left with no option as fuel prices increases and the urban voterd are livid with transport options and Protons getting more expensive beyond the reach od graduates who are more concerned about houses.
I am also intrigued on KTM Komuter network future masterplan,DO THEY HAVE ONE?Sure we’ll have the ridicuously expensive MRT, but more and more and living in outer suburbs beyind the MRT network and expanding the KTM Komuter would be feasible and cheaper for example expanding the KTM line to Subang Airport, pass along Jalan Batu Arang(new residential areas,Puncak Alam) and up to Kuala Selangor.
@forrestcat
Well, there is always hope and it would be good to remind the public that a train can and should be able to last for 30 years before it gets a mid-life overhaul.
As for KTM Komuter planning, we really do not know what they are planning. We really wish KTMB would start selling the benefits of its product so that it does not get left behind in the drive to build MRT.
Again, KTMB will also have to decide where to position Komuter in the market, especially with the arrival of the new trains. We prefer to see ETS services also acting as long distance commuter services, with Komuter trains serving the immediate suburbs of the Klang Valley and operating a “KTM Laju” type of service that serve stations only, rather than halts (similar to the current shuttle train services).
KTMB has much of the infrastructure (with the exception of the Klang Valley freight bypass and some missing segments of track) to make these services possible, but has to start making the investments now.
A Komuter service with 6-carriage trains that continues to serve every halt from Rawang to Seremban and Batu Caves to Port Klang … is not the efficient, improved service that we need to see.
Malaysia National Budget 2012 for public transport anyone??? Any news??? Any comment???
It’s time for KTM to show what the new trains are all about and tell SMRT that THEY HAVE FAILED EVERY SINGAPOREANS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS!!!!!
I can detest statement made by wrongdoing_rapidkl. For sure Spore MRT has its electronic signboard that provides actual indication when the train is approaching the station while Msian signboard are just merely for dumb time keeping.
KTM is just slipped into becoming our premier Keretapi Tak Tentu Masa this month of Jan with crowd rowdiness on 20th, air conditioning breakdown on 21th and train breakdown today on Jan 25th.
It seems like Mr Chan does not understand the true situation in Singapore.
Perhaps these articles will open the eyes of the ignorant.
MAJULAH SINGAPURA!!!! THAT’S PROOF OF THE INCOMPETENCE OF SMRT!!!!
its getting close to 5 months when are the going to introduce this train?
Hi @Sad
Last we heard the first train(s) should be ready for operation by the end of March 2012.
T & C for a new train usually takes 5-6 months, but it is faster for subsequent trains (3-4 months), so we hope to see 2 trains operating by the end of March, hopefully 4 trains operating by the end of April, and all 6 of the first set operating by the end of May.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
KTM seems to be the only choice we have for a long time. When ETS came along… it was heaven for many of us even tho we can only experience it for a while as it was mean for inter city use.
Now having the new China train coming gives many of us ray of hope. But the silence of not hearing makes us lost hope as we wait and wait and wait.
Please update the patron regularly as we wait in the train station with the exciting news or updates on what is happening. It is better to keep your customer inform than to keep quiet about it and have them lose all hope in you.
The new 6-car trains is a step in the right direction, unlike Singapore’s public transportation who strives to create disruption and strives to drive their passengers mad!
Transit Malaysia 
22 replies on “New KTM Komuter trains arrive in Port Klang (Update #2)”
If not mistaken those Ganz-Jenbacher trains are the ones from Rawang.
these dead trains should be donated to johor. I hear they are building a new line.
@kite
As far as we know these trains are seriously “dead” because of mechanical problems, propulsion systems that have been out of commission, etc. Further, there is no new supply of parts coming from Ganz-Jenbacher or Union Carriage.
These trains are truly dead and they are not going anywhere except to the scrapyard or the bottom of the South China Sea.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
hope that it will last long since it…
For many komuter passengers, the day when they see the new trains in service at the KTM stations it will be no different like seeing the MIRACLE arrival of Bodhisatta Guan Yin the Goddes of Mercy to save some suffering souls from further TORTURES and ABUSED!!!
I’m sorry miracle don’t come easily. New trains would only be slightly more comfortable when the train stalls to wait for intercity train to pass by. KTM still has a long way to go on alleviating track congestion.
P.S.: Especially during the peak hours.
I strongly believe those rotting trains could be salvaged..if not throw them into the seas to become tukun.
Allurban,
I am stil not satisfied with 6 carriage trains…is it possible to have married cars up to 12 coaches(so combine 2 trains)…I just went through KTM Komuter at KL Sentral, it is chaos!!!..I am sure the 6 car trains will be overwhelmed in a jiffy..we need longer trains..I have been to Melbourne several times and always benchmark their commuter services to KTM Komuter as both city has about the same population and large conurbation and theirs have 8 cars trains that are wider and longer and still overwhelmed and 80% of Melbourne;s trips are by public transport, considering that 15% public transport rate in KL is already bursting the LRT/KTM at the seams, an increase to 30% would surely overhwelm the 6 car trains and 4 car LRT…not to mention the major KTM/LRT stations that seem to be built when Klang Valley is half its population now…the KTM need to revitalize its sevices from top to bottom….please do not think like Indian railways because if they’re stuck like the current midnset we will be like india with passengers on the roof and hanging off the doors..
@forrestcat
Thanks for the feedback. It would be hard to salvage the trains without a continuous supply of parts and as far as we know, that supply has dried up for the Ganz-Jenbacher and Union Carriage trains. Hyundai Rotem still can provide some parts for the trains that they manufactured, but would probably prefer to sell more trains to KTMB instead.
We certainly agree that there is a need for larger trains. Back in 2008 when we first started meeting with KTMB we were told of plans to purchase a 4-carriage trainset which could be configured to make 8 or 12 carriage trains. There was a plan to purchase some of these trains with the ETS order but everything got quite mixed up.
We agree that Melbourne is a good benchmark since their METRO commuter service also acts as a de-facto underground metro with frequencies at 5 minutes or worse. However, we might point out that you have underestimated the size of the area that is served by METRO commuter rail, suburban buses, and of course Melbourne’s Trams.
It is not the mainlines that brings the customers in, but rather the feeder & distributor system that encourages people to use public transport. In Melbourne you literally “can get there from here” with relative ease thanks to suburban feeder buses, a large scale mainline rail network, and a large distribution network of trams and walkways. KL may be similar in size & population to Melbourne but we are nowhere close to having that kind of a complete public transport & passenger distribution network.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
Well, Melbourne actually refurbished their Hitachi trains from the 60’s to make up train numbers!! Surely those carcasses can be retrofitted with new motor system,converting to DMU would be good enough.I am sure even the Chinese can do it.I dunno, I hope those 10-11 trains can be salvaged for some good use..make into playgrounds if that’s the only option!
I agree Melbourne is far ahead of us. I am lways impressed with their tram system, whhich pretty fun and I am impressed I see all walks of life using the trams-schoolkids, professionals and the plebeians. KL’s only option for feeder and distributor system would be our bus fleet which i abysmally small at excess of 1000 buses compared to Singapore with 3000 buses..but I am optimistic that gradually we’ll add more buses as the government is left with no option as fuel prices increases and the urban voterd are livid with transport options and Protons getting more expensive beyond the reach od graduates who are more concerned about houses.
I am also intrigued on KTM Komuter network future masterplan,DO THEY HAVE ONE?Sure we’ll have the ridicuously expensive MRT, but more and more and living in outer suburbs beyind the MRT network and expanding the KTM Komuter would be feasible and cheaper for example expanding the KTM line to Subang Airport, pass along Jalan Batu Arang(new residential areas,Puncak Alam) and up to Kuala Selangor.
@forrestcat
Well, there is always hope and it would be good to remind the public that a train can and should be able to last for 30 years before it gets a mid-life overhaul.
As for KTM Komuter planning, we really do not know what they are planning. We really wish KTMB would start selling the benefits of its product so that it does not get left behind in the drive to build MRT.
Again, KTMB will also have to decide where to position Komuter in the market, especially with the arrival of the new trains. We prefer to see ETS services also acting as long distance commuter services, with Komuter trains serving the immediate suburbs of the Klang Valley and operating a “KTM Laju” type of service that serve stations only, rather than halts (similar to the current shuttle train services).
KTMB has much of the infrastructure (with the exception of the Klang Valley freight bypass and some missing segments of track) to make these services possible, but has to start making the investments now.
A Komuter service with 6-carriage trains that continues to serve every halt from Rawang to Seremban and Batu Caves to Port Klang … is not the efficient, improved service that we need to see.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
hi,
just like to point out that the train length is 138.6m according to the manufacturers website http://www.gofront.com/Zoe/ddcz/2011-2-27/MaLaiXiEChengJiGuiDaoLiChe_2.htm
the length for Mc is 23.7m.
@Blargh
Thank you for the correction.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
Malaysia National Budget 2012 for public transport anyone??? Any news??? Any comment???
It’s time for KTM to show what the new trains are all about and tell SMRT that THEY HAVE FAILED EVERY SINGAPOREANS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS!!!!!
I can detest statement made by wrongdoing_rapidkl. For sure Spore MRT has its electronic signboard that provides actual indication when the train is approaching the station while Msian signboard are just merely for dumb time keeping.
KTM is just slipped into becoming our premier Keretapi Tak Tentu Masa this month of Jan with crowd rowdiness on 20th, air conditioning breakdown on 21th and train breakdown today on Jan 25th.
It seems like Mr Chan does not understand the true situation in Singapore.
Perhaps these articles will open the eyes of the ignorant.
http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_745589.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/train-faults-on-north-south-line-between-bishan-and-marina-bay-stations.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/public-anger-mounts-over-train-disruptions.html
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/-Train-disruptions-yahoofinancesgwp-4224888186.html?x=0
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Apple-Co-founder-Steve-pennolson-3149428210.html?x=0
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/The-History-Of-Economic-investopedia-642789855.html?x=0
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/22/asia/10141554&sec=asia
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/train-faults-hit-north-south-line-and-circle-line.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/track-fault-hits-train-service-at-new-circle-line-stations.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/singapore-scholar-system-outdated-033716654.html
S’pore residents unhappiest with punctuality of public transport
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/s%E2%80%99pore-residents-unhappiest-with-punctuality-of-public-transport.html
‘SMRT has a lot more to learn about social media’
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/smrt-lot-more-learn-social-media-063406182.html
MAJULAH SINGAPURA!!!! THAT’S PROOF OF THE INCOMPETENCE OF SMRT!!!!
its getting close to 5 months when are the going to introduce this train?
Hi @Sad
Last we heard the first train(s) should be ready for operation by the end of March 2012.
T & C for a new train usually takes 5-6 months, but it is faster for subsequent trains (3-4 months), so we hope to see 2 trains operating by the end of March, hopefully 4 trains operating by the end of April, and all 6 of the first set operating by the end of May.
Regards, Moaz for TRANSIT
KTM seems to be the only choice we have for a long time. When ETS came along… it was heaven for many of us even tho we can only experience it for a while as it was mean for inter city use.
Now having the new China train coming gives many of us ray of hope. But the silence of not hearing makes us lost hope as we wait and wait and wait.
Please update the patron regularly as we wait in the train station with the exciting news or updates on what is happening. It is better to keep your customer inform than to keep quiet about it and have them lose all hope in you.
The new 6-car trains is a step in the right direction, unlike Singapore’s public transportation who strives to create disruption and strives to drive their passengers mad!
http://temasektimes.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/mrt-service-between-dhoby-ghaut-and-harbourfront-stations-breaks-down-again-leaving-commuters-stranded/