QuickCheck: Was a public transport delay caused by a lightning strike?

RECENTLY, it was said online that a delay along the Kelana Jaya LRT line was caused by a lightning strike. Is there any truth to this?

VERDICT:

TRUE

In a statement on Tuesday (Nov 29), Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd said a lightning strike on a Platform Intrusion Emergency Stop (PIES) component at the Kerinchi LRT station caused the delay in train frequencies along the Kelana Jaya LRT line on the same day.

It said the lightning strike caused the PIES to be activated, resulting in trains from both directions being unable to pass through that part of the track.

“The glitch also caused trains passing through that route to be driven manually, resulting in delays and passenger congestion at several stations,” it said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 29).