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KTM Services have reached a serious crisis point |
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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 14:48 |
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This is affecting freight, intercity, and especially Komuter services. KTMB is facing a serious management crisis and the government has shown a clear lack of strategic planning for railway infrastructure. The effects are starting to add up and as usual, consumers are facing the worst of the problems.
From an original fleet size of 60 trains, KTM Komuter only has 30 operating. The rest are being sent for overhaul or are being cannibalized for parts.Yet customer demand has increased by 60% since 1995...clearly KTMB has not planned for this increase in passenger demand.
The recent purchase of locomotives from Dalian Locomotives in China is another example of the poor planning and poor oversight at KTMB. The quality assessment reports for these locomotives came back negative, but the government went ahead with the purchase, bartering the locomotives for Malaysian crude palm oil.
Today, after less than 1 year in operation, many of the locomotives are already in need of maintenance. This compares to the General Electric "Blue Tiger" locomotives, which are going strong after 5 years.
Another example of poor planning is the Fast Train Service from KL- Ipoh. The line was fully energized last year but KTMB did not purchase any trains to operate the fast train service.
The order has been made (just last year) but no information has been given about the trains. It will take 2 plus years for the order to be filled. In the meantime, Malaysians will be expected to drive or use buses to get from KL-Ipoh.
The parliamentary opposition has been pushing the Ministry of Transport, and asking very tough questions. For this they should be applauded. However, it is time to go further. The parliamentary opposition should call on the government to replace the "Cabinet Committee on public transportation" with a "Parliamentary Committee" that is bipartisan and responsible to Parliament.
This will ensure that decisions about the future of rail infrastructure are made in a clear, open, and transparent way.
The media has given strong coverage in recent weeks. It is time that Consumer Associations throughout Malaysia should join up with the Parliamentary Opposition and call for a serious investigation of KTMB.
They should also call for a setting up of a Parliamentary Committee to oversee public transportation, and come up with emergency solutions for the current crisis.
Cheers, Moaz
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Today, after less than 1 year in operation, many of the locomotives are already in need of maintenance."
Dont tell me hefty commissions were paid to third parties to procure those trains.