COMMUTERS in the Klang Valley got a first look at the new four-car monorail train, which was parked at the Titiwangsa monorail station on Friday.

Kuala Lumpur’s monorail service, which is operated by Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, is in the midst of upgrading its trains and stations. Twelve sets for four-car train will replace the current two-car trains starting next month.

RapidKL spokesman Azhar Ghazali said the new trains could be seen running on tracks after operations hours, between midnight and 4am.

“We have three sets of four-car trains undergoing testing and commissioning process since its arrival in April.

“Currently, train No. 1 is undergoing brake test for five days and will be stationed at the end of the line, at either the Titiwangsa or the KL Sentral station. During testing, the train is filled with sandbags equivalent to its maximum capacity weight.

“After the testing is complete, the train will make its way back to the depot in Brickfields and the sandbags transferred to the next train for brake test.

“Train No. 1 and No. 2 will start operation in September, while No.3 will serve as a backup.

“Nine other trains will arrive in stages by February next year. All 12 trains will be fully operational by middle of next year,” he added.

Undertaken under the Government Transformation Plan (GTP) of the public transport services, the contract to supply the trains for RapidKL monorail line was awarded to Scomi Rail Bhd, a subsidiary of Scomi Engineering Bhd.

Valued at RM494mil, Scomi was also tasked with upgrading the monorail stations, including providing universal access as well as upgrading the electrical and mechanical systems, and to build a new depot under the contract.

The new trains will increase the passengers per train from 214 to 430 passengers during peak hours, thus addressing the current problem of crowding on the RapidKL monorail line. The monorail has an average daily ridership of 72,000 passengers.

Apart from larger capacity, the new trains are also fitted with better safety features including open-door window, on-board close-circuit TV cameras and “run-flat” features, which allow the trains to continue moving despite a puncture.