The operator of Rapid KL's Light Rail Transit (LRT) and monorail services, Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd (Rapid Rail), plans to introduce new trains to its LRT Kelana Jaya Line as early as year end.

Rapid Rail CEO Datuk Zohari Sulaiman in a statement Wednesday said several new Bombardier Innovia 300 four-car trains were currently undergoing testing and commissioning before being injected into service.

Apart from that, he said the signalling system of the LRT Ampang Line was being upgraded to facilitate the deployment of the new AMY trains in December, while the tracks on the legacy section of LRT Sri Petaling Line were being progressively replaced.

Zohari added that while these upgrades and changes were taking place, there would be some temporary inconveniences and discomfort to commuters and nearby residents.

"We would like to seek their patience and understanding for the temporary discomfort and inconveniences caused," he said in reference to public feedback, such as longer waiting time at selected stations and unplanned disruptions or glitches to its rail operations.

Meanwhile, Zohari said the opening of new LRT stations on the Kelana Jaya and Sri Petaling Lines in June had also witnessed increase in ridership, particularly during peak hours.

"To cater to the larger crowd at more busy stations during the morning and evening peak hours, trains are making turn backs at designated stations on alternate basis so that empty trains could be deployed to clear the crowd at busy stations," he explained.

Zohari said that the company had also introduced the 50-6-7 initiative in mid-September, in which customers enjoy 50 percent discounts on the published fare when they travel between 6am and 7am on weekdays.

"While we are pleased to have recorded 86 percent increase in the ridership between these hours, we hope more customers would choose to travel earlier to enjoy the lower fare and help us spread the crowd during the morning super peak period," he said.

Zohari also pointed out that the introduction of additional trains as suggested by various groups might not be the best solution to reduce platform congestions because overcrowding at stations only occurred during peak hours.

"Ridership at off-peak hours, which was more than 80 percent of the operations period, was still comparatively low. Procurement of trains require major investment and time," he said.

Zohari recommended LRT users to make full use of the company's 50-6-7 offer and to subscribe to its SMART 30 as well as SMART 7 packages to enjoy savings while using its train services. -- Bernama