SEPANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's (MAHB) aerotrain replacement programme at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is scheduled to be completed by March 2025.
MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the programme for nine new aerotrains worth some RM700 million would be done in two phases with phase one having already started.
"The first phase involving design works is until March 2023 where multiple stakeholder engagements are conducted to ensure that the new aerotrain system meets both local and international transport and safety standards," he said in a media briefing here today.
Iskandar said the second phase would be the construction of the new aerotrain slated between March 2023 and March 2025.
He also said the new aerotrain could carry 90 passengers per car, 270 passengers per train and 5400 passengers per hour per direction.
When asked why MAHB decided to embark on the replacement programme this year instead of two years ago during the closure of Malaysia and international borders, Iskandar said many things were taken into consideration first before the decision was being made.
"This is not an easy decision to be made. A lot of robust process needs to go through. We need to hear from every stakeholder, we need to ensure that the technology is the right technology."
"We need to ensure that the financing model is the right model. We're ensuring that we have the best customer experience for all our passengers," Iskandar said.
MAHB chairman Datuk Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir said the current aerotrain system had been in operation for the last 24 years since the opening of KLIA.
"We're not only replacing the trains but the entire track system so that our passengers will be able to experience a renewed modern Aerotrain service when they pass through the airport," he said.
Within the three year transition period, the current aerotrain will run on a limited schedule to enable its maintenance due to the train's ageing condition and to facilitate the replacement programme.
Iskandar said an enhanced bus service was being implemented to facilitate passenger movements between the main terminal building and satellite building at KLIA.
"We seek the public's understanding and patience during this time as there will be some inconvenience to passengers," Iskandar said.
KLIA will replace its current fleet with six new airport buses that could carry up to 110 passengers per bus.
The first two new buses are arriving in November this year while the other four buses will arrive by February 2023.
Currently, there will only be one Aerotrain in operation at any given time in KLIA with a limited schedule of four times daily from 06:00 - 10:00hrs, 12:00 - 15:30hrs, 17:00-23:30hrs and 00:30-03:30hrs.