by HARIZAH KAMEL/ pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

PRASARANA Malaysia Bhd will add 27 Bombardier Innovia Metro 300 train sets to the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Kelana Jaya Line starting next month until 2023.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the project, known as the Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicle’ 27 (KLAV 27) programme, is in line with the previous project (KLAV 14) to acquire 14 sets of the same model supplied by Bombardier Hartasuma Consortium (BHC) in 2017.

The new trains, which have enhanced features, will be able to provide more comfort to passengers, ensure optimal frequency and reduce the waiting time from three minutes to two minutes.

“Some other improvements include equipping the trains with the new digital route map display system which is integrated with a better door system and improving the train management system where the status for Passenger Information System for each train will be provided.

“At the same time, there will also be improvements in the air diffuser system to prevent condensation from occurring,” he told reporters at Hartasuma Sdn Bhd’s production facility in Pulau Indah, Klang, yesterday.

In addition to the 14 sets of trains acquired in 2017, the LRT Kelana Jaya Line — the highest-performing urban rail network — also has 35 sets of four-coach Bombardier 818 Series, 20 sets of two-coach Bombardier 414 Series and two sets of four-coach trains by combining two-coach sets.

Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak and the Movement Control Order (MCO), the LRT Kelana Jaya Line carried an average of 319,241 passengers daily.

With a projected increase in passenger numbers of between 7% and 9% per year from 2021, an additional 27 sets of four-coach trains are needed to maintain passenger comfort.

In addition to the ‘bogie’ installation, which is part of the traction to the track as well as the distribution of power for the moving train, other local work components include interior installation work, static train testing and local procurement such as floor systems, panels, lamps and ‘stanchions’ or trending systems.

Tajuddin said BHC would conduct bogie installations in Malaysia under the Finance Ministry’s Industrial Collaboration Programme as part of ongoing initiatives to enhance local expertise and capabilities, especially in the rail system.

“The bogies will be fully assembled in Malaysia for the last 19 train sets of the 27 sets. The installation of the bogie is crucial for the transfer of technology and promotes strategic knowledge development.

“35% of the KLAV 27 project will be developed locally, which will maximise the use of local content in an effort to reduce dependence on external sources and thus reduce the country’s currency outflows,” he added.

This includes interior installation work, static train testing and local procurement such as floor systems, panels, lamps and stanchions.