The Kelana Jaya LRT Line upgrading work will take place between Aug 9 and Nov 22. — Filepic
Works will take place during weekends, public holidays, says Prasarana Malaysia
THE Kelana Jaya LRT Line is undergoing a major signalling system upgrade, which will extend its lifespan by 20 years.
The RM150mil upgrade, which is over 80% complete as of June 30, involves replacing the automatic train control (ATC) system with the latest SelTracTM Generation 8 technology.
Prasarana Malaysia Bhd group chief operating officer (strategy and development) Dr Prodyut Dutt explained that the ATC system involved train movement, safety and operations.
“The Kelana Jaya line is currently using an outdated version of the ATC system.
“With the current upgrades, we hope to improve reliability to avoid operational disruption.
“The new system uses the latest technologies that will provide real-time data analytics, enhanced cybersecurity and more stable communications,” Dutt said during a press conference at Menara Prasarana in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya in Selangor.
The upgrade will take place in three phases.
Service will be temporarily disrupted on weekends and public holidays during the upcoming works from Aug 9 to Nov 22 to accommodate testing in real operating conditions.
Nor Azmi (right) and Dutt showing the Phase 2 operation plan for the Kelana Jaya LRT Line system upgrade. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
“The closures will only take place on weekends and public holidays, with operations on weekdays set to run as usual,” said LRT chief operating officer Nor Azmi Mohd Yusof.
“This is to minimise the impact on commuters, especially since we have up to 300,000 passengers daily on weekdays,” he added.
Selected stations during the system upgrades will start operating at 9am, a later time than the usual opening hour of 6am.
Phase 2 will take place from Aug 9 to Sept 14, affecting 10 stations between KLCC and Gombak.
Phase 3, from Oct 11 to Nov 22, will involve 17 stations from Lembah Subang to Ampang Park.
Stations not involved in the testing will operate as usual.
Phase 1 had been completed on July 19 with no service disruption as it was conducted during night maintenance hours near depot areas.
“We estimate that around 7,000 passengers will be affected daily in Phase 2 and around 20,000 in Phase 3, at a rough estimate of around 300 passengers per station,” said Dutt.
“To further reduce inconvenience, Prasarana will provide free shuttle buses and vans connecting the affected stations throughout the disruption period,” he said.
Trained personnel, including station staff, auxiliary police and Prasarana Troopers will also be present to assist passengers.
For more information, go to www.myrapid.com.my or follow Rapid KL’s social media for updates.
