Skypark-KL Sentral rail link to be temporarily halted starting Feb 15

KTM Skypark Link services. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Skypark Link connecting KL Sentral to the Skypark Terminal at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (better known as Subang airport) will be suspended temporarily effective Feb 15, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said this was due to the poor ridership of the service, which only has about 80 passengers at a time.

Loke said the cost to run the service, which amounts to RM15mil, was also a factor in suspending the service, which is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad.

"The money spent to run the Skypark Link can be reallocated for other KTM services such as providing free rides for disabled folk and students," he told reporters after sending off passengers for Chinese New Year celebrations here at KL Sentral on Friday (Jan 20).

Loke also announced that primary school students in school uniforms would enjoy free rides in the east coast along the Gemas to Tumpat stretch beginning Feb 15.

He said students are currently paying a RM2 fare.

"If there are students using the train, it will be free. This does not mean they are travelling from Gemas to Tumpat, it is for those riding the train to go to school and back," he said, adding that there are about 150 students who rely on trains to travel from Dabong to Kuala Gris every day.

When asked if the free service would be extended to secondary school students and other regions, he said it is something they will discuss further.

He also said the free KTMB service would also be extended to people with disabilities (OKU) nationwide effective Feb 15.

This was after discussions with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri who had announced that OKU would soon be able to use public transport for free.

Earlier, Loke distributed Chinese New Year gift packs to commuters at KL Sentral.

He was accompanied by KTMB group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin, Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan and Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) director-general Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri.

In conjunction with the festive season, a total of 99,990 ETS tickets are being offered to passengers from Jan 18 to 27, with 99% tickets already sold and as of Jan 20.