KTMB plans to invest RM1bil in 20 more electric coaches

KUALA LUMPUR: KTM Bhd (KTMB)
plans to acquire 20 sets of electric coaches at an estimated cost of
RM1bil to support its electric train services (ETS) connecting Padang
Besar and Johor Baru.
President Dr Aminuddin Adnan said the move would change intercity travelling in the country as well as turn around the loss-making national railway company.
Since
the introduction of the ETS about 1 years ago, KTMB has been able to
provide premium standard of commuting that was reliable, comfortable and
fast.
“The Government has allowed KTMB to charge a higher fare
for the ETS service. I think the people are willing to pay more as long
as the service is good and the ETS has received overwhelming response
from the public,” he told StarBiz.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Aminuddin:
‘Electric trains have lower operational cost and faster turnaround
time, the usage of the ETS should be able to generate some profits.’
Currently, the ETS only operates the Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur-Seremban route.
Once the entire double track project is completed in 2016, KTMB would be to offer more destinations.
Aminuddin
said intercity travel between Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth could be
shortened to 3 hours from the current six to seven hours, once the ETS
is ready for that route.
“I think it is reasonable to have
fully-electrified train services from Padang Besar to Johor Baru and the
Government is supportive of this. The Government has agreed, in
principle, for the purchase of additional electric coaches.
“Electric
trains have lower operational cost and faster turnaround time, the
usage of the ETS should be able generate some profits.
“We will convert the intercity services to ETS in stages. Now we are still using diesel-powered locomotives,” he said.
“We
have been able to generate RM24mil in revenue using the ETS compared
with the shuttle service which only generated RM8mil a year. We have
plans to increase the frequency of the ETS which may generate RM20mil
more in revenue. The ETS is currently operating on only five sets of
electric coaches,” he said.
On rail cargo services, Aminuddin
said the demand had always been there, but KTMB faced some constraint on
capacity due to the construction of the double-tracking projects.
“Once
the double-tracking is completed, the demand for rail cargo services
would also go up as there is a lot of advantages comapred with road
haulage.
“It would reduce road congestions, accidents and lower
the Government's diesel subsidy. I hope the Government would support
this move via incentives to encourage the use of rail cargo
transportation,” he said.
The Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh and Kuala
Lumpur-Seremban electric double-tracking projects have been completed
while the Seremban-Gemas and Ipoh-Padang Besar are 80% and 70% completed
respectively.
The Seremban-Gemas stretch is expected to be finished next year while the Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch by the end of 2013.
On
other measures to turn the company around, Aminuddin said KTMB should
operate like an aviation company where the assets were not purchase but
leased out and the airport was managed by another company.
“If
the maintenance of our tracks is managed by another entity, KTMB could
fully focus on operational excellence and efficiency. It could also be
an avenue to create extra income for the Government if the tracks are
used by a second or third operator,” he said.
Aminuddin was the long process of acquiring spare parts was also affecting KTMB operational efficiency and revenue
“If
a train breaks down you will need the spare parts by tomorrow, but
because of the purchasing bureaucracy it would take three months before
we get the parts. KTMB will lose three months of revenue. Each
locomotive on average can generate about RM100,000 per day,” he said.
Aminuddin said KTMB's fares (besides the ETS) have not been revised for the last 10 years.
“We
also cannot push for an increase the fares unless the services are
improved. If we increased them now, it would create a public outcry,” he
said. KTMB is undergoing a two-year corporate restructuring programme.
“We have recommended the names of the consultants to the Government and we are now waiting for approval,” he said.
The cost-saving measures as well as the restructure of KTMB loan would also include the restructure plan.
“Our loan currently stands at about RM1bil,” he said.