LRT,MRT, railways, tourism, management @kltransit.blogspot.com

Saturday, July 17, 2021

The Malaysia-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) - New Railway Link (Updated on June 22, 2022)

About RTS Link

MRT Corp has set up a subsidiary, Malaysia Rapid Transit System Sdn Bhd (MRTS), to be the developer and owner of the civil infrastructure for the Malaysian section of the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) Project Between Johor Bahru and Singapore. The company was incorporated on 5 December 2019.

The RTS Link Project is a railway shuttle link approximately 4km length with two stations, one in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Malaysia and one in Woodlands, Singapore.

The link will be a modern Light Rail Transit (LRT) system that will provide high volume, fast and efficient transportation system between the two stations.

RTS Proposed Station design - fb MRT Corp

The link will be integrated with public transport systems at both stations, providing an alternative means of transportation that will help alleviate the congestion at immigration checkpoints for both countries.

RTS proposed station design - fb MRT Corp

The link will have a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour, per direction and an expected ridership of about 40,000 passengers per day upon opening.

MRT Corp website The RTS Link is a railway shuttle service which will link the Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North Station in Woodlands, Singapore. The line is scheduled to open by the end of 2026

Prasarana website

YBhg. Datuk Mohd Farid bin Mohd Adnan, Chairman, RTSO, said: “We understand the strategic importance of the RTS Link in bringing about significant economic and social benefits on both sides of the Causeway, which not long ago was one of the busiest land border crossings in the world. Together with CEO Mr Shamsul Rizal Md Yusof, who came onboard in September 2020, the RTSO board and management are fully committed to deliver the RTS project despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For the almost 300,000 people who cross the Malaysian-Singapore border daily for work, their journey on the 4km light rail line from one country to the other is expected to take only five minutes, excluding customs clearance. RTS Link has an estimated capacity to transport up to 10,000 passengers an hour in each direction.

Mr Yap Kim Wah, Vice Chairman, RTSO, said: “This important bilateral project will deepen the already warm and friendly commercial, cultural and people-to-people ties between our two countries. The good progress made on the RTS Link project is a testament to the close collaboration among all parties. When it is completed, RTS Link passengers arriving from Johor Bahru can look forward to a seamless connection to other parts of Singapore through the Woodlands North Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line.”

RTSO recently awarded nine contracts worth a total of approximately RM1 billion. Four of the contracts are for core systems. CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd was awarded the contract for Rolling Stock. Siemens Mobility Sdn Bhd and Siemens Mobility Pte Ltd were awarded the contract for Signalling and Platform Screen Doors. Sapura Rail Systems Sdn Bhd was awarded the contract for the remaining two core systems: the Communications System and the Integrated Supervisory Control System. Details of the remaining five contracts (non-core systems) can be found in the Annex.

Earlier on, a systems consultancy contract was awarded to engineering firm CH2M Services Sdn Bhd to deliver consultancy services for the design, manufacturing, delivery, testing and commissioning of all systems for the RTS line.

Mr Shamsul Rizal Md Yusof, Chief Executive Officer, RTSO, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of the tender exercise. There is a good mix of local and international players working together to make the RTS Link a success.”

RTSO is the joint venture company formed in 2020 by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) and SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT). A Singapore incorporated company, RTSO will own, design, build, finance and manage the RTS Link operating assets including trains, tracks and systems. This company will also operate and maintain the rail line between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Woodlands North in Singapore, including the Wadi Hana depot in Johor Bahru.

MRTS website

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

ECRL : TUNNEL BORING MACHINE FOR ECRL PROJECT ARRIVES FROM CHINA

TUNNEL BORING MACHINE FOR ECRL PROJECT ARRIVES FROM CHINA

Excavation Works for Genting Tunnel to Commence in 4Q 2021

Port Klang, 9 July 2021: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project celebrates a major milestone – the arrival of the first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) as per schedule after extensive factory tests in China.

The TBMs were custom-made for use in hard rock condition and equipped with 4 torque cylinders. Each TBM Head weighs about 900 tons with 25m in length and 8.98m in diameter. Together with its back-support system that houses the control room and substation, it weighs a massive 1,600 tons and measures 266m in length, making them amongst the largest TBMs for rail tunnel excavation in Malaysia.

Manufactured by CCCC Tianhe Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Co Ltd in Shanghai, China, the TBMs had also cleared its Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), prior to being dismantled into 286 packages and started their direct sailing on 25 June 2021 from the Port of Shanghai and arrived Port Klang on 4 July 2021. The largest of these packages is the Forward Main Beam which transportation size weighs 135 tons, 9.3m in length, 3.7m in width and 4.6m in height.

Over the next 4 days, a convoy of trucks and low loader will transport the TBM from Northport to Bentong, Pahang, via the Karak Highway or alternative route passing through Tampin in Negeri Sembilan and Muadzam Shah in Pahang for the oversized cargoes.

The TBM will be reassembled at the project's Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC) contractor China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd’s (CCCECRL) site and undergo further testing before it starts its Genting Tunnel excavation works in the fourth quarter of this year.

Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, said the ECRL project has entered a new chapter with the delivery of the TBM to spearhead the excavation works for the 16.39 km twin-bore Genting Tunnel between Bentong and Gombak, adding that the delivery bodes well with the decision of the Cabinet Meeting on 2 September 2020 that approved the ECRL Section C to revert to its original alignment of Temerloh – Gombak – Serendah – Port Klang.

“The ECRL project is appreciative that the China made TBM with state-of-the-art technology has been produced and delivered by CCCC as per schedule. We are optimistic that this high-end machine is able to face the engineering challenges and geological conditions when tunnelling across the Titiwangsa Range,” he noted.

Tan Sri Zuki also said it is crucial to start excavation works for Genting Tunnel at the soonest as it is a key component of the ECRL project that will complete the land bridge for freight transportation from Kuantan Port to Port Klang as well as directly link commuters from the East Coast states to Gombak which is a familiar gateway to the federal capital.

MRL Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Sri Darwis Abdul Razak, said the delivery of the TBM is a huge step forward for ECRL’s Section C (Temerloh – Gombak – Serendah – Port Klang) as it will be used to bore through the hilly terrain along the Bukit Tinggi area to facilitate the construction of the 16.39km twin-bore ECRL Genting Tunnel.

“MRL is pleased that the technologically advanced TBM has been thoroughly tested and passed its Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) prior to leaving China. Our technical team that had inspected the TBM at the CCCC plant in Shanghai is also confident that this giant machine is able to perform the task it is specifically designed for,” he said.

“The Genting Tunnel will be the first ECRL tunnel that will be excavated using the TBM method as compared to the drill and blast method used on the project’s existing tunnels. Rest assured, the ECRL team is experience and all geared up to operate the TBM to excavate what will be Malaysia’s longest rail tunnel upon completion,” Dato’ Sri Darwis added.

At the maximum excavation capacity of 700m per month, the TBM will be performing 3 main tasks underground: excavating the tunnel, transporting tons of excavated spoil to the surface, and installing the concrete panels that will line the tunnel. It is expected for the TBM to take about 3 years to bore through the Genting Tunnel.

This is the Cutter Head of the ECRL Project's Tunnel Boring Machine.It weighs about 900 tons, is 25m in length and 8.98m in diameter.
This photo was taken while it was being tested at CCCC Tianhe plant in Shanghai before being shipped to Northport. -fc CCCC

Meanwhile, CCC-ECRL's Managing Director Bai Yinzhan said that the arrival of TBM signals more intensified activities for the project.

“In anticipation of the TBM arrival, we are increasing our headcount in Section 7 in Bentong for numerous management and non-management positions such as foremen and crane operators. As we move forward, our plan is to engage more local workforce and create job opportunities for the communities along the alignment. Our team is ready and is looking forward to the TBM's commissioning in the coming months,” said Bai.

Commenting on the TBM’s arrival, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Azman Shah Mohd Yusof said: "The handling of project cargo requires special attention, careful assessment and detailed planning throughout the entire process as it involves many factors to be considered to ensure a safe and successful operation. For Northport, the handling of ECRL’s TBM is considered an important and critical operation as it is of national interest. Hence, we have mobilized an optimum number of our skilled and competent conventional cargo workers for this operation, to ensure the safe handling of the cargo while at the same time maintaining our port productivity. Northport is extremely proud and honoured to be part of this important shipment.”

MRL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc.), is the project and asset owner of the ECRL while CCC-ECRL is the EPCC contractor. Scheduled for completion by December 2026, the 665-km ECRL will traverse the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang before linking the Klang Valley on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The ECRL will significantly cut travel time and connect Kota Bharu with ITT Gombak in approximately 4 hours.

TBM ECRL - fb CCCC

PRESS RELEASE MRL

Friday, July 9, 2021

How to travel in Kuala Lumpur by the best public transportation in Klang Valley? Use PULSE as guidance

Those transportation under Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (PRASARANA) shall enjoy the special JOURNEY PLANNER application for bus and train tracking system. It's included RapidKL such entity as Rapid Rail, Rapid Bus, Rapid Penang and Rapid Kuantan

PULSE - PRASARANA JOURNEY PLANNER video from Rapid KL's web

Just click the below link for downloading and information;

Download PULSE journey planner here
Link to YouTube
Download PULSE at play store for android
Download PULSE at App Store (iOS)
Klang Valley Integrated map
Askrapidkl twitter

PULSE's view from play store

What are the information given?

Service status

Planner

Fare calculation

LRT Masjid Jamek

LRT Bukit Jalil

MRT station

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

First Two Set Trains Under KLAV 27 Project Begin Operations

KUALA LUMPUR June 27 — The first two out of the 27 new train sets under the Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicles 27 (KLAV27) project for the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) line began operations yesterday after completing their testing and commissioning exercise.

Prasarana, in a statement today said that the two sets of four-coach Bombardier Innovia Metro 300 trains are equipped with several enhanced features compared to the 14 sets of the same model trains used since 2018 and obtained under the KLAV14 initiative.

The new four coach-train Bombardier under the Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicle (KLAV) 27 under Kelana Jaya Line begun its operations on July 26, 2021

“All the 27 sets of trains acquired under the RM1.7 billion KLAV27 project are equipped with several enhanced features in terms of their braking system, passenger doors, train management, auxiliary power supply system, and the introduction of Digital Route Map Display,” the statement said.

In July last year, Prasarana announced the addition of 27 new sets of four-car Bombardier Innovia Metro 300 trains in stages until 2023 for the Kelana Jaya LRT line.

According to Prasarana, so far, eight sets of KLAV27 trains, including the newly operated trains have arrived at the Kelana Jaya Line LRT depot in Subang.

The six other train sets are still in various stages of testing, commissioning and are awaiting approval from the Land Public Transport Agency before being allowed to operate.

— Bernama

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

LRT SP17 Bukit Jalil – Support National Stadium and sport activities connection.

Located at the strategic area, LRT SP17 Bukit Jalil is very popular before covid 19 pandemic as sports station under Sri Petaling / Putra Heights line or well known as Sri Petaling line.

LRT Bukit Jalil is a side platform type

LRT SP 17 Bukit Jalil’s location - click


6 car coach Ampang / Sri Petaling line The huge size of the station shall supports all the sport activities and other facilities such as prayer room, pathway to National Stadium, big parking spaces.

New 6 coach Ampang/Sri Petaling Line train

Started its revenue in 1998 as STAR LRT, this line is under Rapid Rail management, one of Prasarana’s subsidiaries. There are stations that’s important the likes of LRT Bandar Tasik Selatan, LRT Putra Heights, which is crucial to rail integration in Klang Valley.

The sport surrounding view at concourse level

Located is closest to Stadium National Bukit Jalil, this LRT crucial to sports places nearby the like of Majlis Sukan Negara. In the event of football, FAM and RapidKl was work closely to ensure the smooth operations

'Commuters are also advised to ‘park ‘n ride’ along the Sri Petaling route, specifically at the Putra Height, Awan Besar, Muhibbah, Kinrara BK5, IOI Puchong Jaya, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Taman Perindustrian Puchong, Sungai Besi and Bandar Tasik Selatan stations and take the LRT to Bukit Jalil, it said. Operating hours at other LRT and MRT stations will be be according to normal hours but will allow commuters to exit and continue their way to the interchange stations at the Maluri, Plaza Rakyat and Merdeka Stations to use the MRT or at Masjid Jamek to go to the Kelana Jaya route.

At the same time, commuters can also switch to the Kelana Jaya or the MRT line at the Pasar Seni interchange station' – the Sundaily 29/11/2018

Above media statement shows the important of public transport

Related info regarding RapidKl and FAM’s closed communication to ensure smooth communication - click

The signage for customer's convenience and obvious sport station concept at all area

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Hasil Laporan Kemalangan LRT Dibentang Esok - Menteri Pengangkutan Dato' Seri Wee Ka Siong

Hasil Laporan Kemalangan LRT Dibentang Esok - Dato' Seri Wee Ka Siong (fb YB MOT)

8 Jun 2021

Saya telah menerima laporan daripada Jawatankuasa Siasatan mengenai insiden pelanggaran LRT Kelana Jaya yang berlaku pada 24 Mei 2021 dan satu sesi pembentangan laporan secara maya telah disampaikan oleh Jawatankuasa Siasatan kepada saya.
Saya berpuas hati dengan laporan oleh Jawatankuasa Siasatan yang terdiri daripada 9 anggota, diketuai Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pengangkutan yang dibuat secara profesional, komprehensif dalam perinciannya, dan dapat diselesaikan dalam tempoh 14 hari yang diberikan kepada mereka.
Tahniah dan syabas diucapkan kepada pasukan Jawatankuasa Siasatan atas usaha keras dalam beberapa hari ini, bertungkus-lumus siang malam termasuk turun padang ke Pusat Kawalan Operasi (OCC) LRT Kelana Jaya, membuat sesi simulasi di tempat kejadian, temusiasat serta meneliti dokumen-dokumen panduan operasi berkaitan.
Saya berharap dapat membentangkan dapatan laporan ini kepada Kabinet pada hari esok (Rabu) 9 Jun 2021 dengan beberapa cadangan untuk meningkatkan keselamatan dan prosedur operasi standard untuk tren RapidRail. Pada ketika ini, saya masih meneliti dokumen-dokumen dan hasil penemuan yang diberikan oleh Jawatankuasa Siasatan.
Bukan setakat meningkatkan mutu perkhidmatan RapidRail, tetapi penemuan dan cadangan ini juga akan dapat meningkatkan infrastruktur perkhidmatan kereta api Malaysia untuk jangka panjang di masa hadapan.
..........
I have received the preliminary report from the Investigation Committee on the Kelana Jaya LRT collision which occurred on 24 May 2021 via a virtual conference with the Committee.
I am satisfied that the report compiled by the 9-member committee led by our Ministry of Transport Secretary General was indeed professionally done, comprehensive in its details, and completed within the 14-day period given to them.
Kudos and congratulations to the team for their tireless efforts, and burning the midnight oil these few days, including going to the ground at the Kelana Jaya OCC, going through the simulations, interviews, and poring through the guidelines and documents.
I look forward to presenting their findings to the Cabinet on Wednesday, 9th June 2021, with several recommendations to bridge the gaps in the safety and standard operating procedures for RapidRail’s trains. I am still studying the documents and findings given by the committee.
More than improving RapidRail’s services, these findings, and recommendations will go a long way to improving Malaysia’s entire rail service infrastructure for the long term into the future.

https://www.facebook.com/wksbmenglish/

Foto - Berita Harian

Sunday, April 25, 2021

LRT Ara Damansara KJ26 -Link to TOD Ara, Evolve Mall, Subang Airport

LRT Ara Damansara KJ26 is located at Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. The station is neighboring to Kelana Jaya, Evolve Mall and to Subang Airport road.

Started its operation in 2016, the LRT will have a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) – Ara Sentral which is link to the station in future.

LRT Ara Damansara is centre platform type

The station is a line expansion project of LRT Kelana Jaya line together with Ampang and Sri Petaling line. The interesting part of the project is transfer platform to platform from both lines.

Click the YouTube video on the convenience concept of interchange - LRT Wawasan to Putra Heights ride