Kota Kinabalu: The GRS-led State Government is urged to ensure that the railway tracks are always in good condition for passengers’ safety.
A resident of Helogelat, Joanna John, made the plea following the derailment of a train carriage at Mile 62 on Wednesday.
“It happened at about 12.30pm when the train from Beaufort derailed in the middle of the route at Batu 62,” she said.
Fortunately, there were no passengers in the train or there would have been many injuries.
“The railway sleepers were broken which caused the train to derail and this proved that it didn’t have iron frames.
“Fortunately, it also didn’t occur near Sungai Padas. Otherwise the train would have overturned into the river which is a constant fear of passengers commuting from Beaufort to Tenom,” she said.
Track maintenance works needed to be carried out so that untoward incidents won’t happen and the residents often have to go by road to Beaufort to work and carry out their business.
“We also sympathise with parents because the children are unable to go to school in Beaufort as well as traders who used this train regularly,” said Joanna.
Parents were not willing to finance the fare to send their children to school at a rate of RM30 to RM60 per trip except for those who have their own car. The train fare is RM1.30 per round trip.
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