KUALA LUMPUR: The 30% discount initiative through the Madani30 promotional code for Electric Train (ETS) and Ekspres Rakyat Timuran (ERT) tickets has received an encouraging response with more than 21,000 tickets sold so far.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) chief operating officer Afzar Zakariya said the promotion reflects the company's commitment together with the government in helping the people reduce travel costs, especially in the face of rising cost of living.
He said the offer involves all ETS services for the Johor Baru-Padang Besar route as well as the Johor Baru-Tumpat route, and is valid for travel on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from April 15 to Oct 14.
"This promotion is open to all users for standard class for travel Monday to Thursday, thus making it easier for users to plan their journeys in advance whether for work or leisure purposes.
"This initiative driven by the Transport Ministry not only increases access to quality public transport, but also supports efforts to promote the transition to more sustainable, comfortable and efficient modes of transport as well as improving connectivity between cities and regions," he said here Tuesday (April 27).
He said this as a guest on the Jendela Fikir: Rel Menghubakan Rakyat, Mengkeren Negara programme produced by Bernama Radio, Tuesday.
The 30% discount for the purchase of ETS and ERT tickets using the promotional code Madani30 will end this Thursday (April 30).
In addition, Azfar said the increase in ETS service capacity through the addition of 10 new train sets for the Kuala Lumpur-Johor Baru sector has contributed to a 40% jump in daily passenger numbers, with the service now recording an average of 16,000 passengers per day compared to around 10,000 previously.
This is KTMB's highest achievement since the modernisation process of the national rail service was implemented from coal-based trains to modern electric trains.
To ensure smooth operations, he said that safety aspects remain KTMB's priority with a regular and structured train and infrastructure maintenance schedule in addition to the implementation of track upgrading works in the Klang Valley which is over 30 years old to improve safety and service efficiency, including through the Klang Valley Electric Double Track (KVDT) project.
The KVDT was implemented in two phases involving track and train system upgrades involving the Rawang-Salak Selatan, Sentul-Simpang Batu, Bangi-Seremban and Simpang Pelabuhan Klang-Port Klang sectors.
Azfar said that with a track network of approximately 1,700km, KTMB also faces challenges such as cable theft which can affect train operations, in addition to calling on the public to be the "eyes and ears" by reporting any suspicious activities on the track area to the authorities or nearest KTMB stations. - Bernama
