KUALA LUMPUR: Amidst much fanfare, the electric train service (ETS) had a soft launch in December last year. But ETS -- the pride of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) – has been “derailed”.
According to an industry source, the ETS had run into technical problems.
The ETS costs RM40 million per set (consisting of six coaches). The source said there were only five train sets available.
“They're not ready for the country's railways,” the source told FMT.
The Railwaymen's Union of Malaya (RUM) has expressed its disappointment over the delay. Its president Abdul Razak Md Hassan also said that RUM was kept in the dark about developments related to ETS.
He said that during a meeting between RUM and KTMB on June 2, the latter did not shed any light on the KTS. (The meeting with KTMB's top management is held biannually aimed at ironing out major problems faced by the railway sector.)
“When we met on June 2, there wasn't a presentation (about the ETS). There was no discussion at all,” said Razak. “We queried Aminuddin Adnan (KTMB president) on several issues, (including ETS) but he either feigned ignorance or stayed silent throughout the whole meeting.”
Razak also told FMT that KTMB was planning to create a subsidiary company for ETS.
“Firefly is a subsidiary of MAS, which was formed to challenge (AirAsia). As a subsidiary of KTMB, who is ETS supposed to compete against?”
'Waste of money'
Razak also said KTMB planned to hire a top management team to operate ETS besides hiring non-executive staff. He added that the railway company was also considering installing new ticket barriers for the electric trains. “All this is a waste of money,” he said.
Razak also told FMT that the relationship between RUM and Aminuddin was thorny.
“We've had very good communications with previous presidents, so why is he (Aminuddin) so aloof with us?” asked Razak. He said Aminuddin had called RUM a hindrance to KTMB.
Razak also questioned Aminuddin's ability as KTMB president. Before taking over the company in September last year, Aminuddin was the CEO of the Express Rail Line (ERL).
“KTMB has been around for 125 years and has been looking after rail tracks covering 2,500km. ERL has been in operation for only five years and is responsible for about 100km stretch of tracks,” said Razak.
“He (Aminuddin) does not have any experience with KTMB, so how can he come in and take control of a big company?”
A quick look at the KTMB website revealed little information regarding the ETS, aside from a short write-up on its handover ceremony in December 2009.
Attempts to contact KTMB on the matter have been unsuccessful.
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