KUALA LUMPUR – Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd is carrying out renovation works at mass rapid transit (MRT), light rapid transit (LRT), and monorail stations to ensure better facilities and safer service for users.
In a Facebook post, they said they had already replaced 20 units of handrails (rubber handles) and three units of step chains (escalators) at 10 MRT stations on December 15, and ensured the escalators there were back in operation.
“Rapid Rail received spare parts for (Phase 1) at the beginning of December after experiencing delivery delays due to global supply chain disruptions,” it said.
With the spare parts now available, it said immediate replacement work has been carried out in stages and is expected to be fully completed in February 2023.
As a long-term solution, Rapid Rail has implemented a programme called condition-based maintenance (CBM), where components are replaced when they are damaged or often have problems instead of when their life span ends.
“Rapid Rail has made sufficient advance bookings to support the CBM programme,” it said in the Facebook post.
A total of 21 out of 93 LRT and monorail stations that suffered leaks have been repaired, while the overhaul process at the other 72 stations will be carried out in stages and is expected to be completed by June 2023.
“For the repair works at MRT stations, discussions with MRT Corporation, the asset owner, have already been carried out.”
“Repair processes at the 22 leaking locations have been completed, and monitoring of their effectiveness is being carried out.
“There are also locations that require more time to be resolved because the repairs involve modifications to the roof structure,” Rapid Rail explained.
Meanwhile, the company said that repairs to the wiring system and problematic bulb replacement at the stations were almost complete.
“Rapid Rail has carried out regular inspections and maintenance programmes and for now, the number of non-functioning lights stands at below 1%.
“The rest of the lights that are still not working were damaged recently and will be replaced immediately,” it added.
Rapid Rail clarified that Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has also added 18 lift units and 39 “wheelchair platform lift” units at monorail stations for the public’s convenience, especially the elderly and disabled.
Upgrading the lift facilities, it said, requires structural improvements and includes several safety issues that need to be addressed.
“Regarding the elevator issue at monorail stations, their original design did not have an elevator facility. The upgrade project will start in the first quarter of 2023 and will take 18 months to complete.
“Currently, the availability of lift facilities at LRT and MRT stations is at 99%. Maintenance activities are carried out periodically to ensure that the facilities provided are in good condition,” said Rapid Rail.
Rapid Rail has also used graphic information displays on social media to update public commuters on the latest state of station repairs. – The Vibes, December 23, 2022
