Prasarana's new six-car train ready to commence testing in a week

The first of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana)'s new six-car Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) has arrived at Rapid KL LRT Depot in Ampang and is ready to commence testing in a week.

The first of a fleet of 50 new sets travelled more than three weeks by sea, three days at West Port in Port Klang and a challenging six-hour ride to the city.

The LRVs, procured from train manufacturer, CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co (CSR), will replace the current six-car trains, which has been servicing the LRT Ampang Line since 1996.

"With the arrival of the first set, we can now start our testing and commissioning works, which is vital in preparation for the full replacement of the trains, which will be done in stages within two years.

"As the first train, we would be conducting the type and integration tests apart from the routine test for all the new trains.

"These data would be vital for our suppliers and would set pace for the exercise," said Prasarana Group Director for Project Development Datuk Zohari Sulaiman in a statement.

He said after unloading the train set, the team would work to reassemble the six-car set and conduct an open case inspection before commencing the tests.

"We are looking at a period of about one week before we conduct the necessary tests," he said, adding that the next train set was scheduled to be delivered by the middle of next month.

With an investment of about RM1 billion, the purchase of the 50 new trains is one of the many initiatives undertaken by Prasarana in elevating further the standard of public transport services in Klang Valley.

While 30 sets are purchased to replace the existing fleet of train at the LRT Ampang Line, the remaining 20 LRVs are procured under the LRT Line Extension Project (LEP).

"We are hoping to have six new sets of six-car LRVs by the time we commence the first phase of the Ampang LRT Line Extension Project at the end of October.

"The first phase will involve the opening of four new stations – Awan Besar, Muhibbah, Alam Sutera and Kinrara BK5," he said.

The LRT Ampang Line currently serves some 200,000 passengers per day. Zohari said under its arrangement with the manufacturer, the first 35 LRVs would be delivered as completely built-up units from China.

The last 15 would be locally assembled at the CSR Zhuzhou plant in Batu Gajah to meet the local content requirement.

The new LRV sets, which meet the latest international safety standards, are equipped with universal access features including six compartments for wheelchairs.

It also allows commuters to walk from one end of the train to another as the new Ampang LRV now comes with a walkthrough gangway.

Zohari said the user-friendly coach design was developed based on passengers’ feedback, adding that several new features have been incorporated which are not found in the first-generation Ampang Line trains.

"These include the end-destination display in the coaches, with an integrated dynamic route map," he said, adding that the new LRV has a lifespan of 30 years and must be refurbished once it reached half its service life.

In addition to space for disabled passengers that is not found in the existing trains, the LRVs are equipped with CCTV cameras as additional safety measures.