KTM Komuter

Last updated
KTM Komuter
KTM Komuter logo.svg
KTMB Class 92 SCS 14 KL Sentral Junction.jpg
KTM Komuter train arriving at Sungai Buloh.jpg
Skypark Link inside train (220708) 02.jpg
Clockwise from top: A Class 92 set at KL Sentral Junction, A Class 92 set arriving at Sungai Buloh station, Interior of a KTM Skypark Link train.
Overview
OwnerRailway Assets Corporation
LocaleCentral Sector
(Tanjung Malim-Rawang-Kuala Lumpur-Port Klang;
(Batu Caves-Kuala Lumpur-Seremban-Pulau Sebang/Tampin)
Northern Sector
(Bukit Mertajam-Ipoh;
Butterworth-Ipoh)
Stations79 [Note 1]
Colour on map 1 2 10 (Central Sector)
  1    2   (Northern Sector)
Website www.ktmb.com.my/ktmb
Service
Type Commuter rail
Operator(s) Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Komuter Division)
Rolling stock KTM Class 81 3-car formation
KTM Class 83 3-car formation
KTM Class 92 6-car formation
Daily ridership85,120 (Third Quarter 2018) [1]
Ridership37.235 million (2017) [1]
History
Opened14 August 1995;29 years ago (1995-08-14)
Technical
Line length560.8 km
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
Electrification 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line
Conduction systemWith driver
Route map

Greater KL / Klang Valley Integrated Transit Map
Source: SPAD as of July 2016

Contents

KTM Komuter Northern Sector Route Map
Source: KTMB as of 1 September 2016

KTM Komuter is a commuter rail system in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). It was introduced in 1995 to provide local rail services in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding Klang Valley suburban areas. Services were later expanded to other parts of Malaysia with the introduction of the Northern and Southern sectors.

The service uses air-conditioned electric multiple units in 3 and 6 car formations.

KTM Komuter contributed RM146.2 million to group revenue in 2017, carrying a total of 37.235 million passengers. [1] The total number of passengers travelling with KTM Komuter in 2017 shows a decrease of 10.2%. This can be attributed to reduced service frequency due to the ongoing Klang Valley Double Tracking (KVDT) rehabilitation project.

Network

Current Network

LineFirst operatedStationsLengthTerminal
Central Sector
1 Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line
14 August 199532135 km Batu Caves Pulau Sebang/Tampin
Central Sector
2 Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line
14 August 199527126 km Tanjung Malim Port Klang
Central Sector
10 KL Sentral-Terminal Skypark Line
1 May 2018326 km KL Sentral Terminal Skypark
Northern Sector
  1   Ipoh-Butterworth Line
11 September 20158104 km Ipoh Butterworth
Northern Sector
  2   Padang Besar-Butterworth Line
1 January 201613169.8 km Padang Besar Butterworth
TOTAL79 [Note 2] 560.8 km 

Central Sector

KTM Komuter route map at Kajang 2 Kajang 2 Railway Station KTM Komuter diagram (230313).jpg
KTM Komuter route map at Kajang 2

KTM Komuter's 287 km (179 mi) network in the Central Sector mainly covers the Klang Valley. It has 53 stations. It consists of two cross-city routes, namely the KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line and the KTM Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line.

Transfers between the two main lines can be made at any of the four stations on the central core: KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Bank Negara and Putra. Same-platform or cross-platform interchange is available at Kuala Lumpur.

The KTM KL Sentral-Terminal Skypark Line is a limited express service for passengers headed towards Subang Airport. To save time, it only stops at Subang Jaya station. The link is the second of its kind in Malaysia. However, it is temporarily suspended due to low ridership.

The routes have been modified over the years. Previously, Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang line (formerly, Seremban Line) trains would head towards Tanjung Malim while the Tanjung Malim-Port Klang line (formerly, Port Klang Line) trains would head to Batu Caves. Following a successful trial, the routes were swapped. Trains from Seremban began heading towards Batu Caves, while trains from Port Klang headed towards Tanjung Malim. The train service from Seremban was extended permanently to Pulau Sebang/Tampin, hence the current name of the line.

The service is subject to overcrowding during rush hours. Several steps were taken to alleviate this. Firstly, the operator introduced a new queuing system, in which the lines are painted on the floor with three colour codes representing each of the train set. Trains were also run in 3+3 formations, although this has been discontinued with the introduction of six-car sets. An express service from Seremban to KL Sentral is available during rush hour.

Northern Sector

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Malay : KTM Komuter Utara) service initially operated between Gurun in Kedah, Butterworth in Penang and Kamunting in Perak. This followed the completion of electrification works on that stretch.

The route has been modified multiple times since. Today, there are two lines, namely the Padang Besar-Butterworth Line and the Ipoh-Butterworth Line. Butterworth, Bukit Tengah and Bukit Mertajam are interchange stations between the two lines.

Southern Sector (future/discontinued)

The KTM Komuter Southern Sector (Malay: KTM Komuter Sektor Selatan) operated from Seremban to Gemas following the completion of electrification works on that stretch. This was the second KTM Komuter service outside the Klang Valley after the northern counterpart. The Gemas and Batang Melaka stops were removed starting 20 June 2016 with the train running between Seremban and Pulau Sebang/Tampin. Subsequently, the shuttle service was terminated on 11 July 2016 when it was absorbed into the Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line.

On 14 March 2024, It was announced that the Southern Sector line will be re-introduced as a commuter service from Gemas to Paloh, and Paloh to JB Sentral, once the electrification and double tracking project [2] is completed. [3]

History

The double-tracking project, which cost cost RM 1.5 billion, [4] began in 1990. The project covers over a 150 km route stretching as far as Rawang, Port Klang and Seremban. However, the completion was delayed as of January 1995, causing the service to not launch on time. [5] The first phase of the service originally planned to begin in July 1995. [6] [4]

As part of KTM's efforts to get the public to "think commuter", KTM offered free rides of the service from 2 to 11 August 1995. [4]

The service started on 12 August 1995 from Kuala Lumpur to Rawang, on what was the original Seremban Line. The commercial run of the service began two days later. The double-tracking project with 18 EMU trains and additional 62 trains purchased at RM 180 million. Each train carries about 240 passengers and would run at the speed of 100 kmh. [6]

The line was extended to Salak Selatan on 29 September 1995. Operations between Sentul and Shah Alam began on 28 August 1995, on what was the original Port Klang Line. This line was extended to Klang on 29 September 1995. The Seremban Line was extended to Kajang on 20 November 1995 and to Seremban itself on 18 December 1995. This would form the Komuter network for more than a decade.

In the early 2000s, more stations were added along the existing route. KL Sentral was added on 16 April 2001 and served as the new transport hub of Kuala Lumpur. Mid Valley station was added on 23 August 2004, serving the surrounding Mid Valley Megamall. Kepong Sentral was added on 1 July 2006.

The Seremban-KL Sentral express service was introduced on 9 December 2004 The service was discontinued later before being reintroduced again on 25 July 2018. These services run only during the rush hour.

The route was expanded for the first time since 1995 when train services on the Seremban Line were extended to Rasa in 2007. Initially, KTM Komuter services to the new stations north of Rawang was run as a shuttle service. The route was extended to Kuala Kubu Bharu in January 2008, and finally to Tanjung Malim on 1 June 2009. The Rawang-Tanjung Malim shuttle service was absorbed into the main Port Klang Line on 11 July 2016.

Women-only coaches were introduced on 28 April 2010.

The Port Klang Line was extended to Batu Caves on 29 July 2010. Four intermediate new stations, Batu Kentonmen, Kampung Batu and Taman Wahyu were opened with this extension.

The Seremban Line was extended from Seremban to Sungai Gadut on 14 May 2011 with an intermediate station at Senawang, and to Rembau in 2013.

Northern Sector services were introduced on 11 September 2015 between Gurun in Kedah, Butterworth in Penang and Kamunting in Perak. This followed the completion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project in December 2014. On 1 January 2016, a second line was introduced between Butterworth and Padang Besar in Perlis, while on 17 January 2016, the Gurun-Butterworth-Kamunting route was replaced with two separate routes: Butterworth-Gurun and Butterworth-Kamunting. The three-line service operated until 1 July 2016 when the Butterworth-Gurun route was dropped, and subsequently on 1 September 2016, the route took on its current form.

Southern Sector services were introduced on 10 October 2015 following the completion of the Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Tracking Project on 30 October 2013. This service is the second KTM Komuter service outside the Klang Valley after its northern counterpart. The Gemas and Batang Melaka stops were removed starting 20 June 2016 with the train running between Seremban and Pulau Sebang/Tampin. Subsequently, the shuttle service was terminated on 11 July 2016 when it was absorbed into the Seremban Line.

From 15 December 2015, the routes of Seremban Line and Port Klang Line were switched as part of a six-month trial. Trains from Seremban began heading towards Batu Caves, while trains from Port Klang headed towards Rawang, and vice versa. Transfers could be done at the four shared stations. This change was made permanent, and the name of the lines we changed; from Seremban Line and Port Klang Line to Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line and Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line respectively.

The KL Sentral-Terminal Skypark Line to Subang Airport was introduced on 1 May 2018.

Beginning 10 September 2018, all service abolished the cash ticketing system, cashless ticketing method was then compulsory. [7]

Stations

The Komuter service was largely built from existing lines, with minor alterations (i.e. removal or abandonment of lines and replacement of wooden sleepers with concrete ones). Relevant station platforms were added and heightened to allow easier access to Komuter trains travelling in both directions.

Major pre-independence stations including Kuala Lumpur station, Klang station, Port Klang station and Seremban station were retained and upgraded to support Komuter services. Smaller, wood-based stations and halts along the line that were built at around the same time were either demolished and replaced by modern brick-and-concrete counterparts, or simply abandoned. The only exception to the rule is the old Sentul station, which has remained in service years since KTM Komuter's launch, albeit with a replacement platform.

The layouts and sizes of the new station buildings, as of the launch of the service in 1995, vary by location but are generally divided into two classes:

Some stations also have parking facilities.

The platforms of the 1995 stations are virtually standardised, down to the design of the passenger semicircle-crossed shelters, the use of similarly-styled foot crossings to link all platforms, and the diamonds-based brickwork of the platforms.

Depending on the number of patrons through the years, each station has undergone upgrades or expansions that consist of either increasing the number of ticket counters or opening new facilities for use by passengers or railway staff. Taller, wider canopies were erected on the platforms of most stations to replace narrower, original versions in 2006 and 2007. The pace of the upgrades varies by location.

During the 2000s, new stations such as the Mid Valley station appeared in more modern designs, consisting primarily of high, curved canopies above the entire platforms. Certain new stations along dual-lane lines are also included with facilities typically reserved for medium-sized stations, such as the Rasa station. The Kuala Lumpur Sentral station, however, is housed under the concrete base of the transport hub, and is stark and utilitarian in design.

Rolling stock

The original Komuter rolling stock consists of three versions of three-car EMUs added over the course of three years, beginning in 1994. The EMUs were the first in KTM's history. All Komuter EMUs operate in multiple-unit formation, running from overhead single-phase 25 kV AC 50  Hz catenary supply, with two driving cars and 1 trailer car in between. The EMUs were state-of-the-art, with remote-controlled pneumatic doors, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), train data recorder, wheel-slip control, GTO/IGBT traction electronics and regenerative braking. Up to the point of their introduction, no other KTM motive power used these modern train control systems.

Designated by KTM as "Class 8x"s, the EMUs wear a yellow, blue and grey livery, a departure from the predominantly grey livery that KTM adopted on other locomotives and passenger coaches at the time. A handful of EMUs include full advertisements on the sides of their cars.

The original Komuter fleet consisted of the following models:

ClassImageIn serviceCars per SetOn orderManufacturerRemarks
Class 81 EMUs Class 81 KTM EMU 14 Komuter train, KL sentral Kuala Lumpur.jpg 43N/A Flag of Austria.svg - Flag of Hungary.svg Jenbacher Transport in (1994/1995)Designations EMU 01 to EMU 18. The trains were taken out of service in 2012, but four have returned to service after many years of refurbishment.
Class 82 EMUs Class 82 KTM Komuter train, Kuala Lumpur.jpg 03N/A Flag of South Africa.svg Union Carriage & Wagon in (1996/1997)Designations EMU 41 to EMU 62. All of the trainset are retired from service due to lack of spare parts and closure of the company's international division.
Class 83 EMUs Class 83 KTM Komuter train, Kuala Lumpur.jpg 143N/A Flag of South Korea.svg Hyundai Precision (now Hyundai Rotem) in (1996/1997)Designations EMU 19 to EMU 40. 14 sets remain in service, most of them currently service the KTM Komuter Northern Sector. Several sets were repainted with new livery for the formerly named Skypark Link.

The Class 8x suffered from more mechanical problems as they aged, especially the Class 81 and Class 82, which had poor reliability. The manufacturers of both classes had gone bankrupt since the trains were built, hence spare parts became unavailable. On paper, the number of serviceable units in 2010 stood at 53 out of the original 62, although there are reports of far fewer trains. [8] Ultimately, four Class 81 sets were refurbished, albeit with new motors from Hyundai instead of Jenbacher. All Class 82s were taken out of service.

In 2012, six-car Class 92s were introduced, replacing most of the Class 8x in the central sector. A handful of them remain, usually on the Kl Sentral-Terminal Skypark Line or Sentul-Batu Caves shuttle, but many have been reallocated to the northern sector.

ClassImageIn serviceCars per SetOn orderManufacturerRemarks
Class 92 EMUs KTM Class 92 Leaving Kuala Lumpur Station.jpg 366N/A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Zhuzhou Electric Locomotives Co Ltd [8]

Ticketing

Passengers travelling on KTM Komuter may use the following ticketing options:

Ridership

Ridership statistics published by the Ministry of Transport are for all KTM Komuter services. No separate statistics for the individual lines or operational regions are published. Statistics before 1999 are also not available.

KTM Komuter Ridership [1] [10] [11]
YearRidershipRemarks
201930,405,000
201832,078,000
201737,235,000
201641,469,000
201549,690,000
201446,957,000
201343,942,000
201234,847,000
201135,510,000
201034,995,000
200934,683,000
200836,557,000
200736,959,000
200634,975,000
200530,935,000
200427,380,000
200324,645,000
200222,084,000
200120,929,000
200019,154,000
199917,168,000

Incidents and accidents

See also

Notes

  1. Counting transfer stations only once.
  2. Counting transfer stations only once.

Related Research Articles

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or Malayan Railway Limited, colloquially referred to simply as KTM, is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was first built to transport tin. Previously known as the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR) the Malayan Railway Administration (MRA), and the Malayan Railway, Keretapi Tanah Melayu acquired its current name in 1962. The organisation was corporatised in 1992, but remains wholly owned by the Malaysian government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gombak District</span> District of Malaysia in Selangor

The Gombak District is an administrative district located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The district was created on February 1, 1974, the same day when Kuala Lumpur was declared a Federal Territory. Until 1997, Rawang was the district capital; the capital has been moved to Bandar Baru Selayang. Gombak borders Kuala Lumpur to the southeast and the Genting Highlands to the east. Both Gombak and Kuala Lumpur, along with some other districts in Selangor, are situated within the Klang Valley. Other localities in Gombak district include Batu Arang, Kuang, Rawang, Kundang, Gombak Town, Selayang, Batu Caves and Hulu Kelang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Malaysia</span>

Rail transport in Malaysia has evolved significantly since its inception in the late 19th century, reflecting the country's economic growth and modernization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanjung Malim–Port Klang Line</span> Railway line in Malaysia.

The KTM Tanjung Malim–Port Klang Line, formerly known as the Port Klang Line is one of the three KTM Komuter Central Sector lines provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu. The electric trains run between Tanjung Malim and Port Klang. Prior to 15 December 2015, the northern terminus of this line was Batu Caves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandar Tasik Selatan station</span> Rail interchange station in Kuala Lumpur

Bandar Tasik Selatan station (BTS) is a major Malaysian interchange station located next to and named after Bandar Tasik Selatan, in Kuala Lumpur. The station serves as both a stop and an interchange for the KTM Komuter's Seremban Line, KTM ETS, the LRT Sri Petaling Line, and the Express Rail Link's KLIA Transit trains. BTS is integrated with the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan bus hub (TBS). BTS and TBS are developed as an intermodal transportation hub.

Transport in Greater Kuala Lumpur includes a road network, a railway network, airports, and other modes of public transport. Greater Kuala Lumpur is conterminous with the Klang Valley, an urban conglomeration consisting of the city of Kuala Lumpur, as well as surrounding towns and cities in the state of Selangor. The Klang Valley has the country's largest airport, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as well as the country's largest intermodal transport hub and railway station, Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rawang railway station</span> Train station in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia

The Rawang railway station is a railway station in Rawang, Gombak District, Selangor, Malaysia that is served by the KTM Komuter and the KTM ETS train services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seremban railway station</span> Railway station in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

The Seremban railway station is a Malaysian railway station located in the heart of Seremban, the capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan. The station is named after the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sungai Buloh station</span> MRT, KTM and ETS integrate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Sungai Buloh station is an integrated railway station serving the suburb of Sungai Buloh in Selangor, Malaysia, which is located to the northwest of Kuala Lumpur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanjung Malim railway station</span> Malaysian train station

The Tanjung Malim railway station is a Malaysian train station stationed at the north eastern side of and named after the town of Tanjung Malim, Perak. The station provides both Komuter and ETS services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTM West Coast railway line</span> Railway line in Malaysia

The KTM West Coast railway line runs from Padang Besar close to the Malaysia–Thailand border in Perlis to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. It is called the West Coast railway line because it serves the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. The line is owned and used entirely by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kampung Batu station</span> Railway station in Bandar Baru Selayang, Malaysia

The Kampung Batu station is a Malaysian commuter and Rapid transit train station located in the west side of and named after the village of Kampung Batu in northern Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was built on the location of the disused colonial-era Batu Village railway station. The station is served by the KTM Komuter Seremban Line and the Putrajaya Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemas railway station</span> Railway station in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Gemas railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at the eastern side of and named after the town of Gemas, Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan. Built in 1922, the station is the meeting point of and the railway junction connecting the West Coast Line with the East Coast Line (Tumpat–Gemas).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railway electrification in Malaysia</span>

Railway electrification in Malaysia is a relatively recent development of rail transport in Malaysia. While the first railway in the country dates back to 1885, it was not until 3 August 1995 that the first electrified railway service, KTM Komuter, began operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTM ETS</span> Malaysian inter-city rail service

The KTM ETS, commercially known as ETS, is an inter-city higher-speed rail service in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The KTM ETS is the second electric train service to be operated by the Malaysian railway company after KTM Komuter, and the second inter-city rail service after KTM Intercity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTM Class 92</span> Type of electric multiple unit

The Class 92 is a type of electric multiple unit operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu on its KTM Komuter services. A total of 38 sets were built by CSR Zhuzhou of China, in 6-car formations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batu Caves–Pulau Sebang Line</span> Railway line in Malaysia

The KTM Batu Caves–Pulau Sebang Line, formerly known as the Seremban Line is one of the three KTM Komuter Central Sector lines provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu. Its electric trains run between Batu Caves and Pulau Sebang/Tampin. Prior to 15 December 2015, the northern terminus of this line was Rawang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTM Komuter Northern Sector</span>

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector is one of the five KTM Komuter services run by Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The service was introduced on 11 September 2015 following the completion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project in December 2014, which also saw the extension of ETS services to Padang Besar from Ipoh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KL Sentral–Terminal Skypark Line</span> Railway line in Malaysia

The KTM KL Sentral–Terminal Skypark Line is a currently suspended limited express train service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between Kuala Lumpur Sentral and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. It is Malaysia's second airport rail link service, after the Express Rail Link system.

References

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  2. Rohaniza, Idris (14 March 2024). "Perkhidmatan komuter laluan selatan akan diperkenalkan". Berita Harian. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  3. https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2024/03/1223371/perkhidmatan-komuter-laluan-selatan-akan-diperkenalkan.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. 1 2 3 "Free train rides". The Straits Times. 20 July 1995. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. "Mahathir unhappy over delay in KTM dual-track project". The Straits Times. 18 January 1995. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Electric trains to run in July next year". The Straits Times. 23 December 1994. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. Facebook . 10 September 2018 https://www.facebook.com/ktmberhad/photos/a.1320535074675750/1960696240659627/ . Retrieved 19 February 2022.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. 1 2 "Chinese trains to expand KL Komuter fleet". Railway Gazette International. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  9. Feb 09, seitha on; Pm, 2024 at 4:09 (9 February 2024). "KTM open payment system launched - debit/credit cards, Apple/Samsung Pay for Komuter; ETS excluded - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 17 February 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. "Transport Statistics Malaysia 2016" (PDF) (in Malay and English). Ministry of Transport, Malaysia. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  11. "Transport Statistics Malaysia 2008" (PDF) (in Malay and English). Ministry of Transport, Malaysia. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  12. "Crane Falls On Rail Tracks, 10,000 Passengers Stranded". Bernama. 2 March 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  13. "MPV plunges onto railway tracks". The Star. Kuala Lumpur. 22 October 2009.
  14. "Woman run down by Komuter train". The Malaysian Insider. Kuala Lumpur. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  15. Nurul Riduan Nor Ashaha (15 February 2013). "Komuter tergelincir di Stesen Shah Alam". SinarHarian (in Malay). Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  16. "KTM Komuter train derails near Rawang station". The Star. Kuala Lumpur. 1 November 2013.
  17. "KTM train services to be fully restored by Monday".