DISRUPTIONS and delays in the KTM Komuter service were due to upgrading works to systems and infrastructure under the Klang Valley Double Tracking (KDVT) Phases 1 and 2.

KTM Bhd (KTMB) chief corporate officer Mohamed Suhaimi Yaacob said the upgrades were taking a while as trains were still operational.

“When they (upgrading works and train operations) are done simultaneously, it definitely impacts scheduling, even forcing the cancellation of some services, but we always reschedule.

“For now, we are running the Komuter service at 30-minute intervals during peak hours and hope to start 15-minute intervals once upgrades are complete,” he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AirAsia Ride in Kuala Lumpur today.

Phase 1 of KDVT, which started in 2016, covers system upgrades between Rawang and Seremban and from Sentul to Port Klang, covering about 150km, and is expected to be completed by year-end.

Phase 2 of KDVT began early this year and covers the repair and upgrades of 265km of KTMB tracks between Salak Selatan and Seremban and from Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang, with expected completion in 2027.

Suhaimi said ETS and Komuter passengers will have better access to 80 KTM stations in the Klang Valley and northern region via KTMB’s strategic collaboration with AirAsia Ride.

“We welcome our collaboration in providing e-hailing services to optimise first- and last-mile connectivity for passengers.

“This cooperation emphasises our commitment to provide not only train services but to also deliver a smooth and worry-free journey,” he said.

Under the MOU, AirAsia Ride offered a RM3 discount per trip to and from 80 KTM stations in Klang Valley and northern region until August next year with the promotion code “KTMRIDE”. – Bernama, September 13, 2023.