Public transport operator Prasarana Malaysia Berhad has been instructed to hold a special meeting with the transport ministry to discuss the technical issues that have occurred frequently by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) services. This was revealed earlier today by the Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke Siew Fook, during a media conference held after the launch of the MyBAS50 Unlimited Pass and electric bus at Larkin Sentral, Johor.
Both the LRT and MRT services faced separate disruptions yesterday on 27 March 2023, causing delays as well as requiring passengers to seek alternative modes of transport. The Kajang MRT Line was the first to experience a technical issue on Monday morning, where a train stopped between Pusat Bandar Damansara and Philio Damansara stations had to undergo immediate repair due to braking and power related problems. In the evening of the same day, the Kelana Jaya LRT Line reported damage to the train connection system at Taman Bahagia station, which caused it to instate an alternative train service throughout the line.
“Surely, what happened during the peak period yesterday affected many passengers,” Loke told the media during the press conference, specifically referring to the Kelana Jaya line’s disruption. “They (Prasarana) must look at the actual cause of this technical glitch because it has happened frequently over the past two weeks.”
The minister said instructions had been given to Prasarana Group chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim to obtain all reports regarding the technical problems faced by both services. The transport ministry would take various measures to deal with any issues that crop up, and also ensure that incidents caused by technical issues such as those that happened yesterday would not reoccur, he added.
In regards to the lawsuit filed against Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd and Prasarana by eight individuals who were involved in the Kelana Jaya LRT crash in May 2021, Loke explained that he respects their decision to take action. “I cannot give further comments… what I can say is that we have sympathy over the accident and we respect their rights.”
On 24 May 2021, a manually-driven empty LRT train collided with an automated train with passengers between KLCC and Kampung Baru, resulting in 166 minor injuries and 47 serious injuries. Yesterday, it was reported that eight individuals who were involved in the incident are suing Rapid Rail and Prasarana for alleged negligence over injuries sustained.
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