Hobbled commute: An escalator at the KL Sentral KTM station can be seen in need of maintenance. Two out of the station’s 12 escalators are scheduled for repairs. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Public transport is the primary way that many urban residents get around grid-locked traffic, but the same cannot be said for those travelling with luggage.
Bringing one’s luggage from the station’s entrance to the platform is usually the most difficult part of any trip – especially when there are no working lifts or escalators.
This is the reality for a number of KTM stations across the country.
Despite over 76% of them having fully operational lifts and escalators, a significant number are out of order with some repair times taking between one to two months, said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).
“The estimated time to fully repair escalators and lifts at each station varies depending on the complexity of the issue and availability of specialised spare parts or components, especially from overseas.
“For obsolete parts, it needs to be customised to the lifts and escalators which can unfortunately extend the duration of repairs beyond the initially anticipated timelines.
“In some cases, the replacement or upgrade process involves coordination with Occupational, Safety and Health Department’s (DOSH) regulatory procedures which can take about one to two months,” the railway operator told The Star.
KTMB said it is actively working with its partner, the Railway Asset Corporation (RAC), to resolve these issues, which involves a structured process that begins with a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of each malfunction.
It said repairs are carried out immediately once parts are procured, followed by rigorous testing and commissioning to ensure safety and operational readiness.
“Beyond repairs, each unit is also placed under a scheduled maintenance programme to minimise future breakdowns.
“While the timeline for repairs may vary, we want to reassure the public that our teams are working diligently to restore full functionality at every affected station,” it said, adding that high ridership stations take priority.
KTMB is in the process of handing over KTM operational responsibility to RAC in phases, with 64% of the process completed and the remaining 36% estimated to be done by January 2026.
All station facilities are already under RAC’s maintenance programme, except for KL Sentral and the northern region route, Kampar-Padang Besar.
“All lifts and escalators in the northern region are 100% operational. KL Sentral KTM station’s four lifts and 10 escalators are fully operational with only two escalators under maintenance and expected to be completed by end of May this year,” it said.
KTMB said that they currently maintain 54 lifts (98% operational) and 16 escalators (94% operational) while RAC manages 95 lifts (95% operational) and 43 escalators (84% operational) across all KTM stations.
It also said there are an average of two lifts and two escalators per station, with transport hubs having even more.
For example, KL Sentral has four lifts and 12 escalators.
Road safety and public transport expert Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said KTMB and RAC should try to work with local manufacturers to create parts.
“Sourcing parts locally would accelerate repairs and lower dependence on foreign suppliers, and reduce delivery times,” said Law of Universiti Putra Malaysia engineering faculty.
“They should also work with DOSH to pre-approve standard repair procedures or create a ‘priority lane’ for safety certifications of important station buildings.
“Specialist teams equipped with simplified procedures should also be created to manage regular problems, such as motor failures and sensor malfunctions,” he told The Star.
Law also said KTMB and RAC should implement better maintenance and inspection schedules to find and fix wear-and-tear before breakdowns strike.
This will prevent peak hour breakdowns that could increase congestion and pose a safety risk for passengers who would have to use the stairs.
“Frequent malfunctions or extended maintenance will also harm KTMB’s reputation, discouraging present and future users while dependable facilities boost user confidence and encourage more rides,” he said.
