Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has yet to turn a profit, mainly due to low, government-subsidised fares. But according to Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, making money isn’t the immediate priority.
“We want KTMB to eventually be financially sustainable. But right now, as a GLC, its social responsibility comes first,” he assured.
The minister explained that while increasing ticket prices could help close the funding gap, the focus is on improving overall efficiency, particularly in services that are already performing well, such as cargo and ETS.
“What’s more important is improving operational efficiency over time and narrowing the funding gap,” Loke says. KTM Komuter, which began in the Klang Valley in August 1995, first ran between Kuala Lumpur and Rawang on the Seremban line. The network has since expanded, but Loke said improving service quality remains a key goal.
In line with that, the rail operator recently announced a long-term plan to boost its rail network capacity, which currently stretches 1,655 kilometres across ten states.
KTMB CEO Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin said the company will invest in infrastructure upgrades and new rolling stock to support growing passenger and cargo traffic. “Our target is to raise track utilisation from 30% to 80% by 2030. This will allow us to handle more demand and improve overall efficiency,” he was quoted as saying.