BEAUFORT: The Sabah Railway Department (JKNS) has been urged to improve its services and not allow frequent train breakdowns that leave passengers stranded.
A passenger, Mohd Fahad Mohd Fahar, said the train often stalled midway, forcing passengers to wait for hours.
“It was supposed to arrive at 7.30pm but only reached at 11.00pm. Many passengers went hungry waiting for another train to tow it,” he said, adding that much time was wasted on the tracks with no solution from management.
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');});He noted the issue affects not only adults but also babies, young children and the elderly.
“What is the point of Sabah Maju Jaya if the trains are always breaking down? Is the State Government not embarrassed when this is often used by the opposition?” he asked.
Earlier, a video went viral showing a 10-year-old boy stranded alone at Beaufort station waiting to return home to Batu 60 due to the unreliable service.
Netizens expressed sympathy and frustration, calling on authorities to fix the timetable, upgrade ageing engines, and provide hostels for rural students who depend on trains to attend school.
Meanwhile, the Beaufort-Tenom railway service, suspended for several years due to track damage, will resume on Aug 1, according to JKNS.
Currently, trains from Beaufort only operate up to Halogilat, while those from Tenom stop at Kampung Pangi.
