KTM Komuter service rescheduled, disruption expected

Track upgrading works between the KL Sentral and Putra stations as well as Kuang and Sungai Buloh stations will affect commuters‘ travel time. — Photos: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

EFFECTIVE tomorrow until Aug 31 next year, KTM Komuter will be operating on a new train schedule due to upgrading of tracks between the KL Sentral and Putra station stretch and between Kuang and Sungai Buloh stations.

The revised schedule which will be used for more than eight months will affect commuters, especially workers and students, who use the service daily to get to work or college in the Klang Valley.

According to a statement from KTMB, during this period, one track will be closed to facilitate works on tracks and train operations will run on a single line.

A KTMB spokesman, when contacted, said the repair works were part of the Infrastructure and System Upgrading Project of Klang Valley Double Track that started in May last year and expected to be completed in November 2019.

To minimise the inconvenience for commuters during this period, she said KTMB would be providing additional services.

KTMB will be providing additional services to minimise the inconvenience for commuters during this period.

“There will now be a direct route from Port Klang to Tanjung Malim without having to switch trains at the Sungai Buloh station,” she said.

There will also be a shuttle train for the Batu Caves-Seremban/Pulau Sebang (Tampin)-Batu Caves route.

This is introduced because of the 60-minute frequency during the morning and evening peak hours for this route.

Commuters using this shuttle train service to get to the KL Sentral station will only be charged until the Sentul station. Upon arriving at KL Sentral, they will have to buy a token or use the Commuter Link card to get to the next destination.

Those taking the shuttle train to Sentul station can use the free shuttle bus service (subject to change) to continue their journey to KL Sentral or Sentul LRT station. This service is only available from Monday to Friday.

StarMetro spoke to some commuters for their views on the revised KTM Komuter schedule and some were not happy with the changes as the revised schedule means they will reach their destinations much later.

Commuter Osman Jasmani, 29 from Klang questioned why the new schedule made the travel time longer.

“I usually board the train from Telok Gadong station at 7.02am, and will reach Kuala Lumpur station at 8.08am. It is a one-hour six-minute journey.

“The new schedule states that the train will depart from Telok Gadong station at 6.57am and will arrive at Kuala Lumpur station at 8.23am. It means the journey will take 20 minutes longer,” he said.

The new schedule will cause more hassle and additional cost for commuters like Faizal Guntur, 40, who will not be able to take a direct ride to his destination.

“I work in the Bukit Bintang area. I take the train from the Seri Setia station to Kuala Lumpur station and walk to the Pasar Seni MRT station to take the MRT to Bukit Bintang. Although there are other alternatives, this is the cheapest route.

“Starting tomorrow, there is no direct train to Kuala Lumpur station if I board the train at my usual time.

“I usually board the train between 7am and 7.03am to reach Kuala Lumpur station at about 7.23am.

“The new schedule states that the closest time of departure for me is 7.06am, which is fine but the train stops at KL Sentral station. So instead of walking to Pasar Seni MRT station, I have to take the LRT from KL Sentral for RM1 to board the MRT to Bukit Bintang,” he said.

Devigaa Sivalingam takes the train from Klang to KL Sentral on most days to attend classes in Brickfields, but due to the revised schedule, her travelling time has now doubled.

“Usually it takes me an hour but now I think it will be two hours. I am just afraid I will end up going to class late,” said the 18-year-old.

“Some of my classes end at 5pm, so typically I would reach Klang around 7pm and reach home an hour later.

“But now, I think I will only reach home by 9pm or even 10pm,” she said.

A Komuter train leaving the Bank Negara station, heading towards Rawang. The track upgrading works are part of the Infrastructure and System Upgrading Project of Klang Valley Double Track, which is scheduled to be completed in November 2019.

Devigaa fears that if she reaches home late, she may not have enough time to rest and study.

Another 18-year-old has decided to drive to college instead, after hearing news of the new Komuter schedule.

“I find that driving to college is very inconvenient,” said Amelia Cheah, who studies at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur.

“But driving will be much faster compared to waiting for the Komuter.

“I know some places where you can park for free, but if there aren’t any, then I think parking would cost me an additional RM4 to RM6 a day,” she said.

However, the new train schedule has not affected some commuters.

“I heard this announcement early in the morning and I was very worried,” said 26-year-old Nor Atyqah Buang.

Nor Atyqah said she was worried because the Komuter service was at times unreliable.

“Thankfully, when I checked the schedule, my timing is not greatly affected,” said the personal assistant who works near Ampang Park.

“Usually I take the train at 6.19am, but now I just have to take it earlier by five minutes,” she added.

For details on the revised KTM Komuter train and shuttle services visit www.ktmb.com.my.

New schedules can be found at https://intranet.ktmb.com.my/ktmb_ui/portal/left/225