PRASARANA Malaysia Bhd has received RM2.8 billion from the Ministries of Finance and Transport to improve train and bus services, group chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said today.

Azharuddin said the improvements include replacing equipment, and increasing the number of trains and buses across its entire network.

“If it is seen that improvements are needed, we need to replace the equipment as soon as possible and increase the number of trains, which are not sufficient for the time being,” he said.

Azharuddin said the pandemic has affected the global supply chain and Prasarana is no exception to the issue, adding that this was particularly so for replacement equipment needed for the Kelana Jaya line.

“Currently the issue we are facing is the service that needs to be upgraded and the supply of spare parts that is affected.

“Our order for train replacements at the beginning of last year could not be delivered at the appointed time in August 2022, but will only arrive between January and May this year,” he said.

“For the Kelana Jaya route in the last three or four years, it has not been able to be fully upgraded and I admit that there are weaknesses from the aspect of maintenance, so the solution is to upgrade the route as soon as possible,” he said.

Azharuddin said current passenger levels are barely 60% of those before the pandemic.

“Therefore, with the improvements that are currently underway whether for rail or bus services, we expect to see this number increase,” he added. – Bernama, January 9, 2023.