The new trains will undergo a stringent checks process and commissioning tests to ensure its safety before it is allowed to operate, minister says

by ANIS HAZIM / pic BERNAMA

PRASARANA Malaysia Bhd is set to receive 27 new light rail transit (LRT) trains for its Kelana Jaya line in stages by December 2024.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the upcoming 27 trains, which are under the Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicle 27 project, are valued at RM1.72 billion.

“Today, we have this or what we called a proper preparation so that by next year (by July 2023), we will be receiving new trains,” Wee told a press conference after witnessing Hartasuma Sdn Bhd’s trains’ final assembly and bogies’ assembly process yesterday.

He said the new trains will undergo a stringent checks process and commissioning tests to ensure the trains safety before it is allowed to operate.

The trains will be supplied by local integrated rolling stock and rail services company Hartasuma, which is done through a consortium with Alstom SA, a global rolling stock manufacturer.

Currently, Prasarana has received eight trains from Hartasuma, while the remaining 19 new trains will be delivered starting July 2023 until December 2024.

Wee commended Hartasuma’s track record in supplying railway trains and bogies over the past years.

“They have increased local expertise and this project consists of 45% of local expertise and resources.

“This is a success for the country in empowering the national rail ecosystem and I hope local contributions will continue to increase soon,” he said.

The Hartasuma and Alstom consortium successfully delivered 35 of the 818 series in 2009 and performed the mid-life refurbishment of 68 cars on the Kelana Jaya line.

Hartasuma is also working with the National Railway Centre of Excellence, a unit under the Transport Ministry, to be a qualified Tier 1 vendor for local bogie assembly and overhaul under the Railway Industry Development Program.

Earlier, Hartasuma co-founder and ED Tan Sri Ravindran Menon said this kind of initiative increases Malaysia’s technical capabilities and helps reduce foreign outflows.

“The local participation is expected to increase in our upcoming projects,” Ravindran said in his speech.

According to him, Hartasuma is exploring other opportunities such as cable car systems that will mark the group’s shift from contracting-based revenue to concessions.

Meanwhile, the group is also progressively becoming a distinctive driving force in empowering human capital for the railway industry.

“Hartasuma is now evolving into a teaching factory that develops and nurtures local talents in various areas of expertise within the railway industry,” he said.

Currently, Hatasuma collaborates with academic institutions, namely the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia to produce skilled workforces.