Free rides on KTM Komuter for Thaipusam, trains to operate around the clock

GOMBAK: Commuters can enjoy free rides on KTM Komuter trains for two days on Jan 24 and 25 for Thaipusam and the service will run for 24 hours per day from Jan 23-36, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said KTM Komuter trains on the Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang-Batu Caves route and the Batu Caves-Port Klang-Batu Caves route will have extended operation hours from Jan 23-26.

A total of 28 stations will be operating on a 24 hour basis and 72 additional trains allocated.

A total of 33 trains are for the Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang-Batu Caves route, with 39 for the Batu Caves-Port Klang-Batu Caves route.

The additional commuter services will begin at 9.55pm from the Pulau Sebang to Batu Caves stations on Jan 23, with a one-hour train frequency.

The extra commuter services from the Port Klang station to Batu Caves will begin at 11.39pm.

"KTM will also have additional services for users from Port Klang who can get a direct trip to Batu Caves after midnight," he said.

Additionally, Loke said free rides will be provided for commuter users in the Klang Valley on Jan 25.

He said some 250,000 passengers are expected to use the service during this period, peaking on Jan 25.

"There is a commuter station right next to Batu Caves and this is very convenient," he said.

Additional train services will also be implemented for electric train stations (ETS) to ease travels between the north and central peninsula from Jan 24-26.

This comprises two trips from Butterworth, Penang to KL Sentral and back to Butterworth, and two trips from Padang Besar, Perlis to Kuala Lumpur and back to Padang Besar.

Free RapidKL bus services will also be available in Kuala Lumpur and Penang on Jan 24 and Jan 25.

For Kuala Lumpur, this comprises trips from the Pasar Seni LRT station to Batu Caves; from the Gombak LRT station to Batu Caves: and from the Kampung Batu MRT station to Batu Caves.

Further information can be found on myrapid.com.my, Loke said.

He added that Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) had also completed repair works on the passenger walkway from the commuter station to Batu Caves.

"We have various initiatives during festivities, and this time for Thaipusam, we have free commuter rides.

"Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves is a very grand religious event, and we should all support it," he said, adding that those attending celebrations here should use public transport.