KUALA LUMPUR – KL Monorail operator Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) has denied a report that its rail cars were filled to the brim with commuters during rush hour, in breach of standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the restated movement control order (MCO).
In a statement today, Prasana called the report by The Vibes “confusing” as the photos showing the crowded monorail car are undated.
Commenting further, Prasarana expressed doubt that the picture was taken during MCO 2.0, which started on January 13.
"We are constantly monitoring the current situation at all our rail services – MRT, LRT as well as Monorail – and to the best of our knowledge there has never been congestion or ‘overcrowding’, as stated in the report.
“Also the Rapid KL rail services, MRT, LRT and Monorail, are allowed to operate at 100% capacity.
"This means based on the SOP issued by the Transport Ministry, (that is) the 1m social-distancing measures, are not imposed in Rapid trains," the company said.
Prasarana also advised the media to check on information they have received in advance for veracity.
"We are ready to provide access to the media to conduct their own survey at stations so that they can see the real situation," the company said.
At present, Prasarana said its monorail service is presently operating with a four-carriage set and two-carriage sets, respectively at 100% capacity.
The full capacity of the four-carriage set is 430 passengers while the full capacity of the two-carriage set is 214 passengers.
The number of monorail passengers, Prasarana said, has dropped sharply to about 10,000 a day on average since MCO 2.0 started, compared with 46,000 a day in 2019 before the pandemic.
"Other trains, such as the MRT, Kelana Jaya Line LRT and Ampang/Sri Petaling Line LRT, also showed a significant decrease.
"The total number of rail commuters during MCO 2.0 is roughly 150,000 commuters a day (working day), a decrease of almost 80% compared with the pre-Covid-19 period at 700,000 people a day.
"All RapidKL rail services operate in strict compliance with SOP requirements set by the National Security Council, Transport Ministry and Health Ministry."
Prasarana added that the company always announces reminders in train coaches and stations for commuters to practise the government's health recommendations.
The Vibes had earlier today reported that it received several concerning pictures of a crowded KL Monorail train, with passengers not observing social distancing as they made their way home for the day.
The sender of the images, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was shocked by the number of people allowed to enter the train car at one time.
He also pointed out several flaws in SOPs during his 20-minute journey from Titiwangsa to KL Sentral about 5.15pm.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends keeping a minimum 1m distance between people to prevent the virus from spreading through coughs, sneezes, or speech.
The crowd on the monorail, however, gives the impression that daily life has returned to pre-Covid normalcy, with straphangers huddled in the narrow enclosures. – The Vibes, January 19, 2021
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