Kelana Jaya LRT line to be closely monitored

All smiles: Dr Wee meeting voters with Barisan candidate Datuk Nicole Wong in Tebrau. — From Dr Wee’s Facebook page

JOHOR BARU: The Kelana Jaya LRT line will be closely monitored to ensure it continues running smoothly after having resumed operations, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the LRT line had been operating well since resuming services yesterday morning.

Dr Wee said he had been getting regular updates from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd Group CEO Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah on the status of the LRT line.

“LRT Kelana Jaya operations since 6am today have been smooth and satisfactory with only a slight delay at 12.43pm that affected certain stations around Damai Station which was quickly resolved within 15 minutes, according to our teams’ monitoring this morning.

“I am relieved to see the operations running well.

“However, I have told Prasarana, including our Rapid Rail technical team and original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Thales Group, to be on standby and ensure the LRT line continues to run well,” he told reporters when met during a visit to a Chinese temple here yesterday.

Also at the event was Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Barisan Nasional candidate for the Johor Baru seat Johan Arifin Mohd Ropi.

Instability in the automatic train control (ATC) system resulted in a five-day shutdown involving 16 important stations from Kelana Jaya to Ampang Park that began last Wednesday.

Dr Wee noted the LRT line fully resumed operations two days ahead of schedule.

“The resumption of the LRT’s operation has been much anticipated. After four days of testing and meetings to ensure the safety aspects have been fulfilled, it could finally operate fully again.

“I have also told the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to send a team and look into safety aspects as this is something we need to really prioritise.

“If there is even a single doubt on the system, an intervention should be done immediately for the safety of the public,” he said.

On a separate matter, Dr Wee said airline companies had been told to increase the frequency of their flights during festive season.

“In September, I have told the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), airlines and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to increase the frequency of flights, especially during the festive season.

“I was informed that there has been some development for Chinese New Year and later for Hari Raya,” he said.