The six-car Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) will begin its fault free run (FFR) tests today on a new track of the extended Ampang LRT Line, between Kinrara BK5 and Bandar Puteri stations, The Star reports. The FFR tests are being conducted as preparation for its opening, scheduled at the end of March. The tests will be carried out under the watch of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
According to Datuk Zohari Sulaiman, CEO of Prasarana Rail and Infrastructure Projects (Praise), the FFR test is a comprehensive one that could stretch up to 24 hours. “We will take all adequate measures to minimise any discomfort and inconvenience to the residents,” he said, adding that it is an endurance test that LRVs have to undergo to certify and qualify them as fit for operation.
The FFR test run will go through IOI Puchong Jaya, Pusat Bandar Puchong and Taman Perindustrian Puchong stations before it makes way to the Bandar Puteri station and onward to the pocket track where it will perform a U-turn. Said stations constitutes as the second phase of the Ampang Line, expected to open by March 31, stretching up to Putra Heights.
“Under the test, the trains would need to reach 1,500 km without any major failure on the light rail vehicles system such as train signalling, propulsion, braking, door. If any major fault were to occur, miles of the tested light rail vehicles will be reset to zero,” Zohari explained. Nine six-car LRVs (called Amys) had completed the tests, including seven others that are now in operation.
A total of 50 of the six-car train sets have been acquired by Prasarana from CSR Zhuhou Electric Locomotive Company (ZELC). Twenty sets will be for the Ampang LRT Extension Project (LRP), while the other 30 sets are to replace the current fleet of six-car trains that have been in operation since 1998. Prasarana have received already received 24 sets since.
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Apparently, the existing LRT from BK5 to Sri Petaling is not reliable.. Having been delayed many times in a month because of it.
Oh, and also the hassles of changing train at Sri Petaling station. Hmmm.