GOMBAK: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd’s (KTMB) Komuter services have yet to turn a profit due to the low fares subsidised by the government, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.
While raising ticket prices could help KTM Komuter become profitable, he said this is not a priority at the moment as KTMB is a GLC with a social responsibility.
“Of course, we hope they can eventually achieve financial sustainability. However, that is not our primary concern right now.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“What’s more important is improving operational efficiency over time and narrowing the funding gap,” he said after the launch of new diesel buses at the Rapid Bus Complex in Batu Caves.
Loke added that KTMB’s cargo service and electric train service (ETS) continue to be profitable.
“The key is to ensure that KTMB’s overall operations continue to improve, particularly for KTM Komuter, ETS, and the cargo services, which are already generating profits,” he said.
KTM Komuter services in the Klang Valley started in August 1995, initially running from Kuala Lumpur to Rawang on the original Seremban line.
