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KTM Komuter is an electrified commuter train service operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad. It was first introduced in 1995 to cater especially to commuters in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding suburban areas and is a popular mode of transport for commuters working in Kuala Lumpur, as they can travel to the city without being caught in traffic congestion. Coaches are modern and air-conditioned. For those who drive to the stations/halts, 'Park & Ride' facilities are provided at a nominal charge. KTM Komuter is currently the most profitable passenger service offered by KTMB, contributing RM84.63 million to group revenue in 2006, higher than KTM Intercity's profit of 70.94 million in the same year.[3] KTM Komuter ridership is estimated to be about 34.97 million passengers in 2006.[3]
Network
KTM Komuter's 175 km (109 mi) network has 45 stations. It consists of two lines, namely the Sentul-Port Klang and Rawang-Seremban lines, as well as a shuttle service from Rawang to Kuala Kubu Bharu which was first launched on 21 April 2007. Transfers between the two main lines can be done at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur and Putra stations. Stair-climbing or escalator-use may be required at KL Sentral and Putra, while cross-platform transfers can be conveniently done at Kuala Lumpur. Passengers continuing their journey on the Rawang-Kuala Kubu Bharu shuttle service have to change trains at Rawang station. KTM Komuter has made shopping complexes and recreational centres more accessible. The Mid Valley station, which opened in 2004 next to the Mid Valley Megamall, has proven particularly popular. Other shopping centres located near KTM Komuter stations are Subang Parade, Carrefour Subang Jaya (near Subang Jaya station) and The MINES (Serdang station). Passengers bound for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport have the option of taking the KTM Komuter to Nilai Komuter halt and board a bus from there to the KLIA or stopping at the KL Sentral station and ride the KLIA Ekspres. Switching to RapidKL Rail network can be done at Bandar Tasik Selatan station for the Ampang Line and KL Sentral for the Kelana Jaya Line. Switching to Ampang Line can also be done at Bank Negara station although its a 200 meter walk to the Bandaraya station. KTM Komuter tickets can be purchased at counters or by using Ticket Vending Machines which are available at all stations and halts. Rolling stock
The rolling stock consists of three models of three-car EMUs added over the course of three years beginning 1994. The EMUs were the first in KTM's history, and are currently the only electrified trains in the KTM rolling stock. All Komuter EMUs operate in multiple unit formation, running from overhead single-phase 25kV AC 50Hz catenary supply, with two driving cars and 1 - 3 trailer cars in between. The EMUs were also state-of-the-art (by KTM standards, anyway), featuring remote controlled pneumatic doors, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), train data recorder, wheel slip control , GTO/IGBT traction electronics and regenerative braking among others. Up to the point of their introduction no other KTM motive power sport these modern train control systems. Designated by KTM as "Class 8x"s, the EMUs sport a yellow, blue and grey livery, a departure from the predominantly grey livery that KTM adopted on other locomotives and passenger coaches at the time. A handful of EMUs include full advertisements on the sides of their cars. The original Komuter fleet consisted of the following models:
Four of the EMUs have since been decommissioned following serious accidents that affected their structural integrity, while another five are not listed as serviceable. On paper, the number of serviceable units stands at 53 out of the original 62, although there are reports of only 28 available trains "on a good day". Station architecture,_Kuala_Lumpur.JPG.html)
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During the construction of the Komuter service, much of the existing lines were retained, with minor alterations (i.e. removal or abandonment of lines and replacement of wooden sleepers with concrete ones). Relevant station platforms were required to be added and heightened to allow easier access to Komuter trains travelling on both directions. Major pre-independence stations including Kuala Lumpur station, Klang station, Port Klang station and Seremban station were retained and upgraded to support Komuter services. Smaller, wood-based stations and halts along the line that were built at around the same time as the aforementioned stations were either demolished and replaced by modern brick-and-concrete counterparts, or simply abandoned. The only exception to the rule is the old Sentul station, which has remained in service years since KTM Komuter's launch, albeit with a replacement platform. The layouts and sizes of the new station buildings, as of the launch of the service in 1995, vary by location but are generally divided into two classes:
The platforms of the 1995 stations are virtually standardised, down to the design of the passenger semicircle-crossed shelters, the use of similarly-styled pedestrian crossings to link all platforms, and even the diamonds-based brickwork of the platforms. Depending on the amount of patrons through the years, each station has undergone upgrades or expansions that either consist of increasing the number of ticket counters or openning new facilities for use by passengers or railway personnel. Taller, wider canopies had also been erected on the platforms of most stations to replace narrower, original versions in 2006 and 2007. The pace of the upgrades varies by location. During the 2000s, new stations such as the Mid Valley station opt for more modern designs, consisting primarily of high, curved canopies above the entire platforms. Certain new stations along dual-lane lines are also included with facilities typically reserved for medium-sized stations, such as the Rasa station. The Kuala Lumpur Sentral station, however, is housed under the concrete base of the transport hub, and is considerably stark and utilitarian in design. Expansion and future plans
New routes and stationsDuring the 2000s, the Komuter line saw the addition of seven more stations:[4]
Route expansion in progress
Besides new stations, additional plans were made to extend the Komuter network outwards from it original route
Other projects
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