KUALA LUMPUR: The Skypark Link service between KL Sentral and Subang Skypark will be temporarily suspended from Feb 15, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the decision was made following poor ridership of the service, with roughly 80 passengers daily.
"Based on a study, we found that the service, which is subsidised by the government, was met with a lukewarm response with less than 100 passengers daily.
This, he said, despite the RM15 million spent annually for 32 trips daily.
"(While) at the same time, KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) Komuter service for the northern route and Klang Valley do not have enough trains (to cater to high passenger volume).
"Therefore, this matter was discussed during the post-cabinet recently and we decided to halt the service temporarily," he said after handing out Chinese New Year goodies to KTM passengers at KL Sentral today.
He said the service would resume maybe in a year or two, or if there is a high demand for it.
Loke said four sets of trains currently used for the Skypark Link service will be redeployed, with two sets to be used for the northern route and another two in the Klang Valley.
He said the move is set to save the government RM15 million, and the allocation going to other KTMB initiatives.
"With that I would also like to announce that the free train rides for primary school students in school uniforms and persons with disabilities for KTM service in the east coast between Tumpat and Gemas will also start on Feb 15.
"In the east coast, particularly between Dabong and Kuala Gris, there are 150 students using the service."
He said at present, students are paying RM2 daily for the return trip.
"This free service did not require additional allocation, as we are using the allocation (originally meant) for the Skypark Link service," he said.
Loke said the free rides would be expanded to also include secondary school students, with details to be announced later.
"We will discuss this further and announce it after Chinese New Year," he said.
Present was KTMB chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin.