Prasarana rolls out measures to keep ageing Kelana Jaya Line LRT trains reliable until new fleets arrive in 2028
PETALING JAYA: Recent disruptions on the Kelana Jaya (KJ) LRT Line have put Prasarana Malaysia Bhd on its toes to keep its ageing train fleet running reliably for the next two to three years, until new trains are delivered in 2028.
Its president and group CEO Amir Hamdan said the operator has rolled out a series of short and medium-term measures to sustain the Bombardier 818 fleet, which has come under strain amid increasing breakdowns.
The move follows a string of disruptions last month that drew public attention, particularly affecting services on the KJ Line.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has since confirmed that 26 new train sets are expected to be delivered by 2028.
Amir said Prasarana is focusing on rigorous maintenance and targeted interventions to ensure service continuity until then.
“We have identified about 13 special programmes for the Bombardier 818 trains. The programme is based on failure analysis and is designed to sustain the trains over the next two to three years.
“We hope that by implementing these, we could maintain reliable service for our passengers,” he told theSun.
He added that the strategy combines corrective and preventive maintenance, with engineering teams working round the clock.
“Our team works day and night on the trains. We plan to deliver the necessary parts effectively and manage the maintenance schedule to ensure operational continuity.”
Prasarana is also working closely with technical specialists and original equipment manufacturers to address critical component issues.
He also said sourcing certain parts remains a challenge due to high costs and limited availability, prompting the rollout of specialised intervention programmes.
“The approach goes beyond our normal maintenance routines. The objective is to ensure the trains could continue operating reliably until the new (units) arrive.
“Without the measures, we risk grounding more trains, which would affect service frequency.
“Our goal is to maintain the three-minute frequency needed to meet passenger demand.”
While acknowledging that no rail system is immune to disruptions, Amir said efforts are underway to reduce both their frequency and impact.
“Even with the best systems, incidents could occur. What we could do is manage them effectively and minimise inconvenience to passengers.”
Improving passenger communication has also emerged as a key priority. He said Prasarana aims to provide clear, real-time updates on wait times, affected stations and train movements to rebuild commuter confidence.
Currently, the MyRapid PULSE app has about 96,000 active subscribers, although usage remains intermittent.
“One of our initiatives is to encourage more passengers to subscribe so they could receive real-time updates.”
He also said to address confusion during service disruptions, Prasarana is introducing a comprehensive visualisation system to provide immediate, clearer information on train movements and breakdowns.
Enhancements would include station maps showing shuttle bus locations, alternative routes and estimated waiting times, enabling passengers to make quicker, more informed decisions.
“For passengers, especially first-time riders, it could be confusing if they cannot visualise what is happening.
“Enhancing both visual information and communication helps commuters understand the situation faster and more clearly.”
Amir emphasised that funding for the initiatives remains intact. “We are not cutting back on essential actions or maintenance. The focus is on fulfilling our responsibility.
“Our teams continue to work hard to improve the system, and that spirit keeps us moving forward.”
He also addressed negative perceptions circulating online, saying Prasarana remains focused on its public duty.
