KTM monopoly to end with new operators – minister

KTM_ETS_Padang_Besar

The Transport Ministry will introduce other train service operators to ensure that the intercity rail transport industry doesn’t remain under the monopoly of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). According to Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, the existence of other operators would ensure competitiveness in the industry.

“In the future, KTMB will no longer be a monopoly. We will make this move viable and the rakyat will see that trains are still the cheapest form of transportation,” he told The Star. However, the minister did not provide any names of these rail service operators, nor any specific date when they will be introduced.

During a recent press conference, Liow added that he lauded prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s decision for KTMB to discount its Komuter fares for school pupils and university students aged seven to 18. Do you agree with the Transport Ministry’s decision to introduce other train service operators into the industry? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Comments

  • teropong on Dec 14, 2015 at 11:34 am

    “school pupils and university students aged seven to 18”

    I didn’t know students could graduate from university so early.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 0
  • Lpost on Dec 14, 2015 at 11:52 am

    Might be YTL lah.. Gov dont need to add another operator. Just follow germany & france, just 1 operator. Futhermore, the tracks are owned by ktmb.
    Cuma jgn letak org yg dh bersara politik, polis & tentera utk urus ktmb, sah hancuhhh! Sama mcm MAS.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 0
    • Why would any company operate trains in Malaysia? It does not generate much profit and the startup cost is extremely high. Unless it is a way of breaking KTM up and taking away all its valuable land.

      Crony Alert!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • Please walk the talk Dr Liow.. For talk is cheap!! Majority users of Komuter are working class that don’t enjoy any benefits at all.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0
  • zimly on Dec 14, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    Please end Astro monopoly too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 1
  • Consumer on Dec 14, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    Always agree to end monopoly kind of business and it should be open tender for the new service provider

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • mivec101 on Dec 14, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    multiple operators on the double train track is a very good idea. Just like in UK, there are no less than 5 private train operators, each will offer great promotion and discount to attract customers. A few years ago, i paid a promotional price of 8 pounds for a fast train ride (~3hrs) from newcastle to london (abt 450km distance). A normal price at that time was 40-100 pounds depending on the class.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • what kind of monopoly? ..ERL LRT HSR INTERCITY, all are operated by different different operator….INTERCITY is alternative to highways and roads….just beef it up…even KTMB operated with losses due to CUTS/DISCOUNTS it has to abide to ….Unless the minister allow the operators work with business model than can profit them…and remember..u serve for rakyat…LATER u talk about long term concessions..use old script..need to increase fare when the time come according to the contract signed…PUI!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Maybe – probably – ada udang sebalik batu… The government has been seen to come up with daft, loss-making, short-sighted, crony-interested schemes too many times for the people to be optimistic about this announcement. If it turns out to be bona fide benefitting the average Joe. we’ll thank you. Till then, we’ll keep our hands to ourselves. Now please get to work and walk the talk.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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