KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Jan 2018:
Rapid KL will be extending Light Rail Transit (LRT) services at Gombak station and provide a special bus shuttle service in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves past midnight today.
Prasarana Malaysia Bhd said in a statement LRT Kelana Jaya Line services would have its Gombak station opened until 2am tomorrow (Jan 31) and a special shuttle bus service would be provided by Rapid KL for travel between Batu Caves and Gombak LRT for the period.
“Other LRT and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and monorail stations will be closed according to the normal closure time. The move will mean that commuters can enter Gombak LRT station at any time until 2am and exit at any LRT or MRT stations.
“Train frequency will be for every 30 minutes departing Gombak Station after the normal train service hours. Train services for Ampang/Sri Petaling Line and MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang Line will also be extended to accommodate the late travels,” said the statement.
According to the statement, the trains would wait for the last service train from Gombak at integration stations of Masjid Jamek and Pasar Seni and services would be at an interval of every 30 minutes.
However, there would be no extension for KL Monorail service and BRT-Sunway Line. “The bus services will operate at a frequency of 30 minutes and the fare is RM2 per trip.”
Rapid KL is also providing a special shuttle service between Pasar Seni Bus Hub and Batu Caves from today.
“Offering a frequency of between 10 to 15 minutes, the service commences from 4.30 pm and ends at 11pm on Wednesday. Fare is also RM2 per trip.”
Rapid KL also reminds commuters to take note of changes in its usual bus services around Batu Caves and Gombak in view of road closures imposed by the authorities.
The affected routes are Route 173: Hub Taman Jasa Utama-Lebuh Ampang, Route 171: Hub Wira Damai-Lebuh Ampang, Route T204: Hub Greenwood-Kg Nakhoda and Route MPS 01: Hub Selayang Mutiara-Gombak, LRT Station.
KTM Bhd (KTMB) is to provide round-the-clock KTM Komuter train services on four routes for three days from today, in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival.
KTMB general manager of operations S. Mahendran said it encompassed 783 services with additional trains on four routes – namely Port Klang-Batu Caves; Port Klang-KL Sentral-Port Klang; Seremban-Batu Caves-Seremban and Sentul-Batu Caves-Sentul.
He said these services would facilitate the journey of the people, especially Hindu devotees and tourists, to and from Batu Caves where the focal point of the festival would be at the Sri Subramaniam Temple.
“During the period, the operating hours of the additional trains will extend beyond the normal end-of-service time of 10.50pm to 5.30am. Even on Jan 31 and Feb 1, which are public holidays for Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day, respectively, the trains will keep to working day schedules instead of public holiday schedules.
“This allows for the frequency of trips every 15 to 20 minutes according to the working day schedules compared to 30 minutes as per the public holiday schedules.”
To ensure smooth operation and the safety of passengers, Mahendran said KTMB would deploy 400 staff and enlist the assistance of police personnel and St John Ambulance members.
KTMB anticipated more than 500,000 passengers during the three-day period, he said, adding that it would introduce the cashless payment method and offer free the KTM Komuter Link cards for adults that would have to be topped up with at least RM3.
Also, 50% concession fares are offered to senior citizens, disabled people, students and children aged two to six. Children below two travel free, he said.
To prevent congestion at the Batu Caves Station, passengers are advised to take the shuttle train up to the Sentul Station and board a shuttle bus free of charge to the KL Sentral Station and continue their journey by train to their destinations.
The shuttle trains will run from 1.14am on Jan 31 to 11.35pm on Feb 1. These services are in addition to the normal services, he said.
He also said that during the period, KTMB also provided train services from and to the Batu Caves Station from the Port Klang Station.
However, he added, no additional trains were provided on the Tanjung Malim-Rawang route as was done previously due to the upgrading of the Klang Valley Double Track infrastructure.
Mahendran advised commuters to plan their journey and refer to the train schedules at www.ktmb.com.my ensure they had sufficient balance in their Komuter Link and Touch ‘n Go cards and to always adhere to instructions and announcements by the KTMB staff on duty.
Meanwhile, KTM Komuter Services general manager Khair Johari Ishak said KTMB had established a strategic cooperation with GrabCar whereby people were given a discount of RM5 to get to 16 selected stations to board trains to Batu Caves.
The discount offer is only for 1,500 GrabCar users and is limited to two trips. The payment has to be made in cash or with a debit/credit card, he said.
– Bernama