On track for a comprehensive commuter rail network

KUALA LUMPUR: Passenger rail industry players are looking forward to the integration of the Putrajaya Line with other services at Putrajaya Sentral and various interchanges.

“This will further promote the use of public transport. With this connection, the MRT’s catchment area of about two million people will have convenient access to KLIA (including KLIA2),” Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd, the operator of KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit, said in a statement.KTM Bhd (KTMB), which operates the intercity ETS and KTM Komuter, said the Putrajaya Line would provide an efficient mode of transportation for commuters.

“Our passengers can switch trains seamlessly at stations like Kampung Batu, Kepong Sentral and Sungai Buloh, reducing travel time and improving connectivity,” it said.

Assoc Prof Dr Chua Kein Huat, chair of UTAR’s Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering, said Putrajaya MRT represented the very best in energy efficient public transport.

“The system has reversible substations which can recover energy when the train brakes (instead of being wasted as mere heat). This can improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability,” he said.

Rail ridership in Malaysia is expected to receive another boost by 2024 when the Prasarana-owned Shah Alam LRT (formerly known as LRT3) begins passenger services between Klang and Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya.