KTM Bhd has submitted proposals to the Transport Ministry to purchase new coaches for its commuter service, says chief operating officer Mohd Zain Mat Taha.
He said some KTMB coaches were already 35 years old and upgrading would be done in stages.
Mohd Zain also acknowledged passengers’ concerns regarding the absence of toilet facilities on its commuter train coaches, explaining that the service was primarily intended for short distance travel.
“These coaches are designed to accommodate more passengers, leaving no space for toilet facilities.
“However, in the case of emergencies, passengers can always disembark to use the facilities and catch the next train.
“Some countries offering similar train services have even taken out all the seats to enable the coaches to carry even more passengers,” he said at KTMB’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at its northern region complex in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
Mohd Zain said KTMB was always looking to improve its services and welcomed feedback from passengers.
At the open house, hundreds enjoyed an afternoon filled with camaraderie and good food.
The guests were treated to an array of delicacies such as chicken rendang, tomato rice, fried noodles, prawn fritters, satay and cakes.
On hand to greet the guests, which included children from Pusat Jagaan Permata Kasih, were Mohd Zain and KTMB Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin.
Mohd Rani later witnessed a RM2,000 donation given by KTMB independent non-executive director Datuk Mohamed Amin Mohd Kassim to orphanage representative Nurul Ajibah. ― By BERNARD SEE