Ampang and Sri Petaling lines explained

Box Width:300px
Ampang Line
Sri Petaling Line
Native Name:LRT Laluan Ampang
LRT Laluan Sri Petaling
Native Name Lang:ms
Logo2:KLRT Line 4 icon.svg
Logo Width2:100px
Type:Medium-capacity rail system
Status:Operational
Locale:Klang Valley
System: Rapid KL
End: &
Stations:36 & 2 reserve
Routes:Ampang Line: -
Sri Petaling Line: -
Daily Ridership:172,517 (Q2 2024)[1]
Ridership2:50.59 million (2023)
65.15 million (2019, highest)[2]
Open:Phase 1: -

Phase 2: - & -
Lastextension: -
Owner:Prasarana Malaysia
Operator:Rapid Rail
Character:Elevated and at-grade
Depot:Ampang Depot
Kuala Sungai Baru Depot
Stock:CSR Zhuzhou articulated LRV
50 six-car trainsets[3]
Width: 2.65m (08.69feet) - narrow profile
Length: 84m (276feet)
Linelength Km:45.1
Linenumber: (orange)
(
maroon)
Speed:Average: 60km/h
Signalling:SelTrac CBTC
Website:My Rapid
Map State:collapsed

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The LRT Ampang Line and the LRT Sri Petaling Line are medium-capacity light rapid transit (LRT) lines in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The combined network comprises of tracks with 36 stations and was the first railway in Malaysia to use standard-gauge track and semi-automated trains. The lines are operated as part of the Rapid KL system by Rapid Rail, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia.

A trip from one end to the other takes 41 minutes on the LRT Ampang Line, and 74 minutes on the LRT Sri Petaling Line. The LRT Ampang Line is named after its eastern terminus, Ampang station, while the LRT Sri Petaling Line is named after its former southern terminus, Sri Petaling station.

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines form part of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System, numbered 3 and 4, and are coloured orange and maroon on official rail maps respectively.

History

The Ampang Line and Sri Petaling Line were originally known as the STAR-LRT (abbreviation for Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan, which translates to Light Rail Transit System), a single train line originating at Sentul Timur station, with two branches to Ampang and Sri Petaling via Chan Sow Lin station.

STAR-LRT was first conceived in the 1981 Transport Master Plan, when the Malaysian government proposed a network of LRT lines connecting Kuala Lumpur city centre with the surrounding areas. An agreement was signed between the government and STAR in 1992.[4]

The original system consists of 25 stations built in two phases. Phase one consists of 14 stations (AmpangSultan Ismail) and a depot near Ampang station. Phase two consists of 11 stations (Chan Sow LinSri Petaling, and Sultan IsmailSentul Timur). The two phases opened in December 1996 and July 1998, respectively.[5] [6]

The early phase of Ampang Line uses defunct Keretapi Tanah Melayu Ampang branch and followed closely with the right-of-way from the old Sultan Street railway station which run toward Salak.

The initial plan was for STAR to build, own and manage the STAR-LRT. However, STAR ran into financial difficulties and had to be bailed out by the government.[7] So, in 2002, Prasarana took over the line and renamed the STAR LRT to the "Starline". Operations of the line were subsequently transferred to Rapid KL in 2004 and the line was renamed the LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line in 2005. The LRT Ampang Line assumed the branch line between Sentul Timur and Ampang stations, whereas LRT Sri Petaling Line assumed the branch line between Sentul Timur and Sri Petaling stations.

Extensions

See main article: Ampang and Sri Petaling lines extension. In 2006, the government announced the LRT Sri Petaling Line extension project. The extension comprised 11 new stations over of elevated track beyond Sri Petaling station. This extended the terminus of the Sri Petaling Line from Sri Petaling to Putra Heights.[8] Unlike the original line, which uses the Fixed-block signalling system, the extension uses the Communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling system. As a result, when the first four stations and the next four stations opened on 31 October 2015 and 31 March 2016, the extension ran as a separate train service between Sri Petaling station and Bandar Puteri station.[9] [10] Re-signalling had to be carried out on the original line before the extension could be combined with the rest of the line. Thales was awarded a contract on 3 September 2012 to upgrade the signalling system on the original line, and the work was completed in July 2016.[11] [12]

Stations

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines run on a common route between Sentul Timur station and Chan Sow Lin station, serving central Kuala Lumpur and the city centre, effectively making all the stations on this section act as interchanges between both lines. The stations have a dedicated platform for trains travelling north to Sentul Timur, and one for trains travelling to Chan Sow Lin, with trains on the respective lines taking turns to stop at the stations at a given time. From the Chan Sow Lin station, the lines diverge and run separately. The LRT Ampang Line travels to its terminus, Ampang station, serving towns in the Cheras and Ampang Jaya regions. The LRT Sri Petaling Line runs to Putra Heights station, where it meets the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, serving southern Kuala Lumpur and Puchong. [13] [14]

Stations on both the lines have similar architectural designs and are a mixture of surface and elevated stops. There are no underground stations on both lines. Most of the stations utilise two side platforms, except for 4 stations that use one single island platform. Chan Sow Lin station has 2 island platforms, allowing cross-platform transfers between trains from Ampang and Putra Heights, while the Putra Heights station has 2 side platforms and 1 island platform to facilitate transfers between the LRT Sri Petaling Line and LRT Kelana Jaya Line.

The stations were initially built without accessibility options for physically challenged passengers. Disabled-friendly facilities for most stations on both lines were installed at the beginning of 2012.

LRT Ampang Line

CodeNamePlatform typePositionInterchange/NotesOpening
Terminus (Side)ElevatedNorthern terminus. Start of common route between LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line.
Side
TitiwangsaInterchange station with KL Monorail and MRT Putrajaya Line.Proposed interchange station with MRT Circle Line.
Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to Putra for KTM Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line and KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line via a 600-metre link bridge.
Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to Medan Tuanku for KL Monorail via a pedestrian link bridge.
Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to Bank Negara for KTM Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line and KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line via a 250-metre link bridge.
Interchange station with LRT Kelana Jaya Line.
Plaza RakyatInterchange station with Merdeka on the MRT Kajang Line.
BBCC–Hang TuahSurfaceInterchange station with KL Monorail.
Elevated
IslandSurfaceInterchange station with MRT Putrajaya Line.End of common route between LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line.
Side
ElevatedInterchange station with MRT Kajang Line.
Surface
Proposed interchange with MRT Circle Line.
Terminal station Terminus (Island)Eastern terminus.

LRT Sri Petaling Line

CodeNamePlatform typePositionInterchange/NotesOpening
Terminus (Side)ElevatedNorthern terminus. Start of common route between LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line.
Side
TitiwangsaInterchange station with KL Monorail and MRT Putrajaya Line.Proposed interchange station with MRT Circle Line.
Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to Putra for KTM Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line and KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line via a 600-metre link bridge.
Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to Medan Tuanku for KL Monorail via a pedestrian link bridge.
Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to Bank Negara for KTM Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line and KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line via a 250-metre link bridge.
Interchange station with LRT Kelana Jaya Line.
Plaza RakyatInterchange station with Merdeka on the MRT Kajang Line.
BBCC–Hang TuahInterchange station with KL Monorail.
IslandSurfaceInterchange station with MRT Putrajaya Line.End of common route between LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line.
CherasSideFeeder Bus T401 to Cochrane for the MRT Kajang Line.
Salak SelatanFeeder Bus T402 to Taman Midah for the MRT Kajang Line.Proposed interchange with MRT Circle Line.
Bandar Tun Razak
Bandar Tasik SelatanIslandConnecting station, without paid-area integration, to:

Feeder bus T410 to Taman Connaught for the MRT Kajang Line.

Sungai BesiSideElevatedInterchange station with MRT Putrajaya Line.
Bukit Jalil
Sri PetalingSurface
Awan BesarIslandElevated
MuhibbahSide
Alam Sutera
Kinrara BK5
--Future infill station
IOI Puchong JayaSideElevated
Pusat Bandar Puchong
Taman Perindustrian Puchong
Bandar PuteriIsland
Puchong PerdanaSide
Puchong Prima
Kampung Sri Aman --Future infill station
Putra HeightsTerminus stationTerminus (Island & Side)ElevatedSouthern terminius of both the LRT Kelana Jaya Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line.

Cross-platform interchange with LRT Kelana Jaya Line.

Rolling stock

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines system network fleet consists of the following models:

First generation Adtranz-Walkers EMU

The former fleet consisted of 90 Adtranz standard-gauge light rail vehicle (LRV) manufactured by Walkers Limited of Australia. These trains were electric multiple units (EMU), which draw power from the underside of a third rail alongside the track. All cars in each train were powered. The trains were manned, with driver cabs occupying the ends of the train. The four-car trainset, an initial configuration that consists of only two EMU sets (2+2) of one driving car and one trailer car at both ends were used from the beginning of the operation in 1996. This formation were used in service until the centre trailer cars were added, becoming the six-car trainset, which consisted of three sets of two EMUs (2+2+2) and occupied the maximum platform length of the stations. Each of the two EMU sets at the front and rear consisted of one driving car and one trailer car, while the two EMUs between were trailer cars. Each two EMU sets were not connected to other EMU sets in the train.Each car had 3 bogies: 2 power bogies and one articulated trailer for the centre bogie. The end cars, numbered 1101 to 1260, have driver cabs. Middle cars numbered 2201 to 2230 have a concealed driver control panel, enabling the car to be moved around the depot independently.The train interiors were simple and basic. There were no individual seats, only longitudinal bench seating on either side of the train, surfaced in metal, while spaces near the connecting ends of the cars were provided for passengers who use wheelchairs and other assistive devices, with a large amount of floorspace for standing passengers. The rolling stock, which has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1996, were replaced in stages by the new trains between 2015 and 2016.

Second generation CSR-Zhuzhou LRV

The second generation rolling stock of the LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line currently consists of a fleet of 50 new trains, better known as AMY, that are deployed to increase the capacity of the line and provide a better service. Each of the new trains is six cars long[15] [16] and provided by CSR Zhuzhou of China, similar to on the design for İzmir Metro and Buenos Aires Underground 200 Series.[17] These trains are disabled-friendly and include safety features like closed-circuit TV, emergency breakable window, emergency ventilation fan, fire and smoke detection system. The trains are equipped with supervised automatic train operation system (SATO), which claims to be the first railway in Malaysia to introduce such systems. Other elements such as interactive destination display inside the train, non-slipping seats, LCD infotainment, walk-through gangways, and more wheelchair space were included.[18] [19] The first trains were put into service on the Sri Petaling-Kinrara BK5 stretch in October 2015, and then until Putra Heights and Sentul Timur in July 2016, and finally the Ampang branch line in December 2016.[20]

Formation

Each train consists of six cars, with numbers 1 to 6 labelled sequentially.

The car numbers of the trains range from 301x to 450x, where x depends on the carriage type. Individual cars are assigned a four-digit serial number by the rail operator Rapid KL. A complete six-car trainset consists of four trailer (T) and two driving motor (Mc) cars permanently coupled together. For example, set 301 consists of carriages 3011, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015 and 3016.

Train control

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines are equipped with the Thales SelTrac Communications-based train control (CBTC) signaling system, and the iVENCS Control Systems.[21] [22] [23] [24]

The operations are controlled at the Ampang Operational and Control Centre, with two depots located at Ampang on the LRT Ampang Line and Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru on the LRT Sri Petaling Line.

Ridership

Ampang/Sri Petaling Line Ridership[25] [26]
YearRidershipRemarks
202435,459,022As of July 2024
202350,590,579
202244,151,332
202121,938,973Total lockdown
202034,715,565COVID-19 pandemic
201965,147,222Highest record
201860,960,445
201759,462,032
201659,192,907
201562,809,412
201463,270,432
201360,207,397
201256,809,978
201153,568,672
201051,572,177
200949,375,077
200851,009,480
200752,434,883
200649,727,909
200545,636,997
200443,535,471
200341,159,817
200233,471,344
200132,412,191
200028,426,201
199922,829,543

Accidents and incidents

There were three major incidents since the opening in 1996.

Sentul Timur buffer overshoot

On at 7:11am, a six-coach Adtranz LRT train which came in from Ampang overshot the end of the elevated tracks at the end of the stabling tracks at Sentul Timur station, resulting in the front half of the set 1113 dangling in the air about 25 m above the ground. A lone driver was the only one on board when the incident took place. Only Sentul Timur endured service disruption for 20 minutes that day.[27]

Bukit Jalil train collision

On at 6:30pm, two LRT trains collided about 200m from Bukit Jalil station. A carriage of one of the trains involved in the accident hit the rear of the other train, resulting the suspension of the operation on that day. Six passengers were injured in this accident.[28]

Kinked tracks between Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek stations

On 27 January 2023, a kinked track as well as cracked viaduct and pier was found near Bandaraya LRT station, and the route between Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek LRT station is closed temporarily for safety reasons.[29] Free shuttle buses are provided in the affected stations. Investigations found out that it was caused by the construction of a 44-storey hotel nearby. It is expected to take up to seven months to repair.[30] However, the repair works have been extended after several other damages have been detected in two other nearby viaducts.[31]

Six stations from Sentul Timur to Bandaraya are closed from 2 April 2023, as the trains used no longer meet the operational criteria, and was unable to return to the depot at Ampang for maintenance, therefore the affected route cannot be operated for safety reasons.[32] Six stations resumed operations from 12 May 2023, while tracks between Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek stations remain closed.[33]

Revised service are as follows:

27 January 2023 — 2 April 2023

2 April 2023 — 12 May 2023

12 May 2023 — 31 January 2024

1 February 2024 — 16 February 2024

External links

Route maps

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ridership . Rapid Rail Performance Update . 26 July 2024 . 8 August 2024 . RapidKL . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807190108/https://myrapid.com.my/rapid-rail-performance/ . 7 August 2024 . live.
  2. Web site: Public Transportation Dashboard . 18 January 2024 . 18 January 2024 . RapidKL .
  3. 17 July 2016 . myrapid.com.my . Perkhidmatan Rel Rapid KL Catat Satu Lagi Kejayaan Hari Ini . ms . 28 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160725012304/http://www.myrapid.com.my/media-centre/media-releases/2016/perkhidmatan-rel-rapid-kl-catat-satu-lagi-kejayaan-hari-ini . 25 July 2016 . dead .
  4. http://atrf.info/papers/1996/1996_Mohamad.pdf An LRT-Bus strategy for greater Kuala Lumpur: What future integration?
  5. https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/members.old/Trolley_Wire/269%20-%20Trolley%20Wire%20-%20May%201997.pdf Trolley Wire
  6. https://archnet.org/system/publications/contents/1653/original/FLS1897.pdf?1384751000 Light Rail Transit Stations
  7. http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/4031 LRT to be bailed out, govt confirms
  8. News: George Kent-Lion Pacific JV gets Ampang Line extension job . 31 July 2012 . The Sun Daily . Kuala Lumpur . 7 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170912144533/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/451594 . 12 September 2017 . dead .
  9. News: Month-long free ride at four new LRT stations – Prasarana . astroawani.com . Bernama . 28 October 2015.
  10. News: Prasarana announces partial opening of Sri Petaling LRT line . 28 March 2016 . The Star . Kuala Lumpur.
  11. Thales awarded the contract to upgrade Kuala Lumpur Ampang Line to fully automated CBTC signalling . Thales Group .
  12. News: Temporary suspension of LRT Ampang, Sri Petaling lines . 17 June 2016 . The Star . Kuala Lumpur.
  13. News: Kong Wai Yeng . Direct LRT travel between Ampang and Sentul Timur starts tomorrow . Time Out . Kuala Lumpur . 30 November 2016 . 19 July 2017.
  14. News: Direct LRT travel between Ampang and Sentul Timur from Thursday . New Straits Times . Kuala Lumpur . 29 November 2016 . 19 July 2017 . Bernama.
  15. News: 7 March 2015. Prasarana: Ampang Line extension Phase 1 on track for October launch. Malay Mail. Kuala Lumpur. 17 March 2015.
  16. News: 30 January 2015. 'Amy' to hit the tracks in October. The Star. Kuala Lumpur. 17 March 2015.
  17. News: 4 March 2014. CSR unveils new trains for KL Ampang Line. International Railway Journal. London. 17 March 2015.
  18. News: Cheong, Sam. 28 February 2014. RapidKL gets 50 coaches for Ampang Line route. The Star. Kuala Lumpur. 17 March 2015.
  19. News: 21 October 2014. Ampang Line to get new trains in 2015. The Star. Kuala Lumpur. 17 March 2015.
  20. Web site: 29 November 2016. Direct LRT travel between Ampang and Sentul Timur from Thursday | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News. 19 July 2017. Nst.com.my.
  21. https://www.eurotransportmagazine.com/8508/news/thales-awarded-the-contract-to-upgrade-kuala-lumpur-ampang-line-to-fully-automated-cbtc-signalling/ Thales awarded the contract to upgrade Kuala Lumpur Ampang line to fully automated CBTC signalling
  22. http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/signalling/thales-to-supply-cbtc-for-kls-ampang-line.html Thales to supply CBTC for KL's Ampang Line
  23. http://www.asl-control.co.uk/kelana-jaya-line-extension-opens/ Kelana Jaya Line Extension Opens
  24. Web site: Thales to install CBTC signaling on Kuala Lampur's Ampang Line Railway Technology. www.railway-technology.com/. en. 26 March 2019.
  25. Web site: 2023-01-14 . Prasarana's Ridership . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114160815/https://myrapid.com.my/bus-train/ridership/ . dead . 2023-01-14 . 2023-01-14 .
  26. Web site: Statistic of Rail Transport. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220109142154/https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/reports/quarterly-statistics-of-rail-transport. 9 January 2022. 12 February 2022. Ministry of Transport (Malaysia).
  27. Web site: 2021-05-24. Train overshoots LRT terminal and is left dangling The Star. 2021-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20210524141520/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/10/28/train-overshoots-lrt-terminal-and-is-left-dangling/. 24 May 2021.
  28. Web site: 2017-08-01. Six injured in LRT accident - Nation The Star Online. 2021-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801210009/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/09/25/six-injured-in-lrt-accident/. 1 August 2017.
  29. News: Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT service disrupted over safety concerns . 1 February 2023 . New Straits Times . 27 January 2023.
  30. News: At least seven months to repair Masjid Jamek LRT stretch, says Transport Minister . The Star . 22 February 2023 . en.
  31. News: Ampang/Sri Petaling line service to resume Feb 2024 . 6 November 2023 . New Straits Times . 27 September 2023.
  32. News: Six stations on Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT line closed from Sunday . 31 March 2023 . New Straits Times . 30 March 2023.
  33. News: LRT service at six stations to resume Friday . 12 May 2023 . New Straits Times . 11 May 2023.