ktm-komuter (2)

Good news for users of the KTM Komuter. You can expect waiting times to be halved from the current 15 minutes to 7.5 minutes by 2019, However, there will be pain before that happens, as reported by Malay Mail.

Bad news out of the way first. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) said that it will roll out a new timetable tomorrow that could lead to longer queues for trains for the next four years, with wait times expected to double or more in areas with fewer riders, and during off-peak hours.

This is to facilitate upgrading works along the existing Klang Valley double-tracks aimed at achieving the targeted 7.5-minute frequency, KTMB project division GM Ismail Said explained.

“This project outcome is to achieve headway or frequency of every 7.5 minutes, which can be categorised as ‘Metro’ standard, like the LRT or the upcoming MRT. For the ‘Metro’ standard, the frequency is around 3.5 minutes, but we cannot achieve that. The maximum we can go to is 7.5 minutes,” he told the press at KTMB’s Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) project briefing.

Along with the shortened intervals, KTMB is also targeting the passenger per hour, per direction figure from 1,000 to 6,000, boosting daily ridership from 117,800 to 250,000.

KTM Komuter six-month reroute

For now, the new timetable will see KTM Komuter train intervals at the Seremban-Batu Caves route increased both ways from 15 to 45 minutes during weekends and public holidays, and off-peak hours on weekdays. Those using the Sungai Buloh-Pelabuhan Klang route will have to endure 45-minute intervals (both ways) during off peak hours, which are 9am to 4pm and 8pm to 12.30am on weekdays.

As for the Tanjung Malim-Pelabuhan Klang route, the wait will be 30 minutes during the morning peak hours of 5.30am to 9pm. The reverse direction during the same time period will see an interval of 30 or 60 minutes. At other times, it will be a one-hour interval.

On weekends and public holidays, the Tanjung Malim-KL Sentral route will have one-hour intervals, while riders on the KL Sentral-Pelabuhan Klang route will have to wait for 45 minutes. The KVDT project will also affect timetables for KTM Intercity, ETS and KTM Cargo along the Tanjung Malim-Rawang-Pelabuhan Klang route.

The RM1.41 billion KVDT project is slated for completion in November 2019, and it includes the laying of new tracks that will be easier to maintain, the replacement of 20-year old signalling equipment to reduce metal theft and service disruption, installation of radio systems, upgrading of 16 stations and a new feeder station in Sentul for generation of more electricity to increase train frequencies.

KTM Komuter fares will not be increased after the KVDT project is completed, the company says.