KUALA LUMPUR: After 29 years of operation, KTM Komuter has effectively contributed to easing traffic congestion in the Klang Valley.
However, despite significant progress in public transportation, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad's (KTMB) train service continues to face several issues that need urgent attention and improvement.
Regular commuter Nurul Ain Razali, 34, raised concerns about the punctuality of the trains.
Having relied on KTM Komuter for over six years while working in Kuala Lumpur, she also observed frequent problems with basic facilities at KTMB stations, particularly broken lifts.
A recent visit by Harian Metro to three KTM stations in the Klang Valley confirmed these complaints, finding malfunctioning lifts and escalators, as well as delays in train schedules.
At the Batu Caves Station, the escalators and lifts were out of service with no maintenance in sight, causing difficulties for users, especially parents with strollers and elderly passengers. The station was also crowded with tourists visiting the nearby temple.
At the Kajang 2 Station, nearly all lifts were non-operational. Although KL Sentral Station did not have infrastructure issues, users were frustrated with the frequent delays in train arrivals.
Nurul Ain, who uses the service to travel to her hometown in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, expressed disappointment over the persistent issues with lifts at stations like Rawang and the overall delays in train schedules.
Another commuter, Alia, in her 30s, highlighted the negative impact on Kuala Lumpur's image, particularly at tourist-heavy stations like Batu Caves, where tourists had to carry strollers up the stairs due to broken lifts.
She urged KTMB to take appropriate action to improve its service and enhance its public image.
In a statement to Harian Metro, a KTMB spokesperson said preventive maintenance was conducted based on the lifespan of replacement parts.
"For example, if the lifespan of a replacement part like an escalator handrail is three years, we will replace it before it reaches that limit. However, the durability of replacement parts is crucial to ensure they do not fail easily even after replacement," the spokesperson stated.
KTMB noted that lift and escalator maintenance is managed by two entities: KTMB and Railway Assets Corporation (RAC).
RAC oversees operations and station ownership, while KTMB handles maintenance only at the KL Sentral Station.
"Periodic maintenance for lifts and escalators under KTMB's jurisdiction follows guidelines set by the Department of Safety, Health, and Environment. We perform monthly maintenance by appointed contractors, selected based on the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA 1994).
"For any lift or escalator that is out of service, we display a notice with an expected repair completion date. Users needing assistance, especially the elderly and disabled, can seek help from station staff," the statement added.
KTMB also acknowledged service disruptions, particularly for commuter trains, which have been attributed to technical issues such as ageing trains, sensitive signalling systems prone to cable theft, and unexpected events like natural disasters and overhead line faults.
"KTMB has taken proactive measures to prevent incidents of tripping due to fallen trees affecting overhead lines. We ensure large trees near the tracks are cut down and cleared.
"In the event of delays, station announcements and notifications have been enhanced to help users find alternative solutions.
"We are also improving our live tracking system through the MyRailtime app, allowing users to check the status of their trains, whether they are on schedule or delayed," the spokesperson added.