PUTRAJAYA will look into replacing the aerotrains at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the tune of more than RM300 million, said the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the procurement process would take time, and the cost would be borne by MAHB.

“We understand the aerotrains are quite old and need to be replaced. The high intensity of usage has caused an increase in their wear and tear,” he told The Malaysian Insight, following an incident yesterday where an aerotrain broke down, prompting passengers to walk on the tracks.

A video of the incident that occurred at 5.30pm has gone viral, and shows about 20 passengers walking back to the main KLIA terminal.

Aziz said sometimes, unpredictable mechanical and technical issues caused the aerotrains to break down.

“Maintenance of the areotrains has been carried out according to schedule, but we have instructed MAHB to resolve the issue.”

When asked if the aerotrains would be replaced with a skybridge, Aziz said that was only a proposal.

He added that MAHB must beef up its engineering personnel and have them on standby in case other incidents occurred.

“Personnel to handle any such incidents must be on standby, and more buses be made available to ferry passengers in case of breakdowns.”

MAHB managing director Badlisham Ghazali confirmed that there were plans to replace the 19-year-old aerotrains as early as next year.

“Plans to replace the aerotrains have always been in the works, and we are looking to accelerate them.

“The master plan calls for the aerotrains to be operational until 2023, but working backwards, we plan on replacing them in 2019 and could hasten the process to next year.”

He said the procurement process was expected to take time as a brand new system would be set in place.

“We are currently undergoing a comprehensive maintenance and overhaul programmme. We have three aerotrains; two operational ones, and one on standby.

“By the end of the year, all the aerotrains will have been overhauled.”

Badlisham said when upgrading works began, focus would be given to one track at a time to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

“One aerotrain will be operational, and we will increase the frequency of bus services.

“We have stationed one engineer at all times in the aerotrain in case of a breakdown, and we will enhance announcements.” – September 5, 2017.