KTM_Class_92

KTM Class 92

KTM Class 92

Type of electric multiple unit


The Class 92 is a type of electric multiple unit operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu on its KTM Komuter services. A total of 38 sets were built by CSR Zhuzhou of China, in 6-car formations.[5]

Quick Facts Class 92, In service ...

History

The Class 92 was procured under a Malaysian Government initiative, National Key Result Area (NKRA) to reduce congestion and improve public transport with a specific RM2 billion allocation to KTMB to improve commuter rail efficiency. A sum of RM 1.894 billion was spent to procure these trains, with the remainder being spent on the improvement of signaling along the Putra-Mid Valley stretch and a ticketing system upgrade.[6]

The first EMU was delivered on 23 September 2011 and was expected to operate in revenue service by late December 2011. However, delays in testing led to the subsequent postponement of launch. On 8 March 2012, 4 sets commenced operation. All 38 sets were in revenue service by July 2012.[7][8]

Features

Designed for low dwell times and high passenger seating capacity, the trains have three double leaf doors per side. The driving motors have longitudinal seating only while the trailer feature a mixture of longitudinal and traverse 2+2 seating. It has wide gang-ways interconnecting each coach, allowing passengers to distribute effectively throughout the length of the train. However, two middle coaches of the class 92 is designated women's only coaches by its operator KTM, limiting full interactivity within the train set. Dynamic route maps located above doors details trains position relative to station in real-time. CCTVs and 3-pin power outlets are provided as further features. All trains have over-head air-conditioning systems to provide ventilation, dehumidification and comfortable temperature control.[9]

The KTM Class 92 trains are fitted with 65 million euros worth of Siemens made transformers, power converters, traction motors and vehicle control systems.[10][9][11]

Operation

The Class 92 operates along the two Komuter lines in the Central Sector. During current 15-minute frequency operations, as many as 25 class 92 sets are used while the remaining sets are kept in reserve. In the future (10-minute frequency operations), it is expected for the total maximum of concurrently used sets to increase to 36 with 2 to remain in reserve.

The Class 92 SCS uses Siemens instruments for control.

Special service

During festivities, the KTM Class 92 is used for special services. Special services typically occur during occasions such as the "homecoming" exodus, saw class 92 sets operating intercity routes, such as the KL Sentral-Ipoh route complementing the ETS train service. In other festivities, such as the festival of Thaipusam, the class 92 also provides service from Ipoh direct to Batu Caves.

Maintenance and Depot

The Class 92 sets is maintained by its manufacturer CSR Zhuzhou. The maintenance facility will be based mainly at KTM’s Sentul Komuter Depot while a minor secondary base is located at Tanjung Malim.[12]

On top of all that, a new special 16.34 hectares (40 acres) commuter maintenance depot is being built (completion by Sept 2013) in the vicinity of Seremban station to house the class 92. The depot will have a capacity of stabling 19 six coach Class 92 sets and be able to conduct simultaneous maintenance work on up to 6 sets of commuter trains. The depot will also have up to 15 tracks of 6 km (3.7 mi) each to store and maintain trains. The depot will also stage other Rawang-Seremban line rolling stocks.[13]

Design and construction

The Class 92 SCS is one of the first trains in Malaysia to introduce dynamic route passenger information systems.

The exterior and interior of the class 92 is fully designed in Germany by Tricon Design for CSR Zhuzhou. The exterior has a Malaysian tiger inspired front motif and tiger fur side coating.

The trains were assembled in CSR Zhuzhou's Electric Plant train factory in China,[14] while power traction units and vehicle control systems were built by Siemens in Germany.[9][15]

Formation

More information Car No., Seating capacity ...
More information Set Designation, Arrival Date ...

Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with a double-arm Z-shaped pantograph.

Cars 3 and 4 are designated women's only car.

Corruption investigation

The purchase of the KTM class 92 was notably under investigation by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) over its tender process. In 2008, the Chinese railway manufacturer Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd, being the lowest bidder, was originally awarded the tender to build 3 car sets at the cost of RM 13.7 million. This figure later increased to RM 48 million per 6 car set. According to the details revealed to the press about the investigation, the re-negotiation process was held directly with the manufacturer and there was certain irregularities in pricing. The investigation is still on-going.[16][17][18]

Operational issues

There has been a number of issues related to the Class 92. In a comment by KTMB's incumbent president, Elias Kadir has noted that the class 92 is "not up to standard".[19] In other related incidents, in which Class 92 sets malfunctioned was due reportedly to poor maintenance and non-payment to suppliers.[19]

Poor fleet management has led to many KTM Class 92 sets to have gone without routine maintenance, thus leading to a void in manufacturer warranty. According to the Auditor-General’s Report, The sum of RM99.94 million paid by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) to CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Limited to service the six-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) cannot be reimbursed due to KTMB's failure in its part of sending the trains for necessary maintenance.[20]

Vandalism

Immediately, following its launch a number of KTM Class 92 were intentionally damaged, at least 20 side windows are cracked or holed, due a number of stone throwing incidents.[21] This has culminated in a number of media reports. Despite the incidents, KTMB has no intention of upgrading the SCS to shatterproof glass to counter these incident.[22] During the 2018 Malaysian general election, trains plastered with campaign advertising from then ruling party Barisan National had their windows cracked again.[23]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 15 February 2013 at 23:00, an out-of-service KTM Class 92 SCS 20 derailed near Shah Alam station while returning to Sentul depot for maintenance. No one was injured. The train was heavily damaged and was subsequently written off. SCS20 has just recently been repaired, and returned to service. [24]
  • On 15 April 2018, at around 13:00, SCS23 had a minor derail near Kuala Lumpur station, heading to Port Klang. No one was injured.
  • On 23 August 2018, at approximately 6.09 am, Set SCS06 rammed into the stoppers at Port Klang Station as the driver was believed to have not secured the brakes. The train was about to start its return journey to KL Sentral station. There were no injuries reported but it caused delays on the Port Klang Line.[25]
  • On 18 October 2018, at around 06:02, a Class 26 locomotive hauling 30 wagons had crashed onto Set SCS06 (the same trainset involved at Port Klang on August 23) when it was stationary at Tanjung Malim Station. 5 passengers were reported injured with the trainset heavily damaged.[26]

Launch delays

The premature decay in KTM class 8X circa 2006-2012, led to a public outcry for new commuter rolling stock. Hence, there was a need for a fast-tracked tender of new trains in order to meet the rising rail passenger demand.

Originally the first set was expected to be launched in December 2011,[7] it was later delayed to January[27] and then February 2012.[28] The eventual launch date for Class 92 took place on March 8, 2012.[1]

[29] Reports place the delay as a result of further operational testing, and driver training.


References

  1. Adnan, Amimudin. "Steps being taken to improve KTM service". The Star Online. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  2. twitkommuter. "@ktmkomuter". KTM Kommuter. KTMB. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  3. "Our Business". Majestic Engineering Sdn Bhd.
  4. Lee, Patrick (August 31, 2011). "Why all roads lead to Klang Valley". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  5. Ministry of Transport. "NKRA Urban Public Transport". MOT. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  6. "KTM gets first batch of electric train coaches from China". The Star. September 23, 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  7. Kaur, Manjit (November 3, 2011). "Two sets of EMU trains being tested". TheStarOnline. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  8. "Siemens upgrades mass transit system in Kuala Lumpur" (PDF). Siemens.com. Siemens. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  9. Anzeige (5 August 2011). "Malaysia: Neue Fahrzeuge für Vorortverkehr". EuRailPress.de (in German). Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  10. 马来西亚城际轨道列车. gofront.com (in Chinese). Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  11. "南车株机造中国首个城际动车组4S店在吉隆坡开业". Rednet.cn (in Chinese). RedNet. Retrieved 4 March 2012. the main base in Kuala Lumpur Sentul depot, sub-base is located in Perak, the Tanjong Malim
  12. Randal, Simon. "Commuter train maintenance depot to built in Seremban". The Malay Mail. MalayMail. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  13. 湖南新闻联播. CNTV (in Chinese). Middle Kingdom News Network. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  14. Miabo, Nikolai. "Quick arrival in the Klang Valley". RailwayGazette. Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  15. Charles, Lourdes (6 August 2010). "MACC probes purchase of Electric Multiple Units". The Star Online. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  16. Dzhulkefly, Ahmad (4 August 2010). "PAC wants MACC to investigate purchase of KTMB trains". Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  17. Maria, Stephannie (18 July 2011). "EMU train ready, MACC still lingering". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  18. Kauer, Shauren. "KTMB's revival on shaky tracks?". BusinessTimes. btimes.com.my. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  19. Augustine, Sean (Jun 17, 2014). "Warranty can be affected if trains not serviced". Rakyat Post. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  20. Ismail, Azizul. "More Komuter trains by July and less waiting time". The Sun. thesundaily.my. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  21. Kaos, Joseph. "New trains vandalised". The Star Online. The Star. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  22. Muhammad, Anne (5 May 2018). "KTM Komuter with BN, Najib ads vandalised". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  23. Riduan, Nurul. "Komuter tergelincir di Stesen Shah Alam" (in Malay). SinarHarian. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  24. Zain, Ruwaida Md (2018-08-23). "Komuter terlajak brek". HM Online (in Malay). Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  25. "Trains crash in Tanjung Malim; ETS and KTM Komuter services disrupted". Mohd Hafizee Mohd Arop. New Straits Times. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  26. Sivanandam, Hemananthani (21 December 2011). "First set of EMU six-car trains to run in January". theSunDaily. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  27. "KTMB's commuter service gets a boost". New Straits Times. NST. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  28. "New KTM Komuter trains launched". The Star Online. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.

Media related to Keretapi Tanah Melayu class 92 at Wikimedia Commons


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