KTM Class 92 explained

Class 92
Background:yellow
Manufacturer:CSR Zhuzhou
Factory:Zhuzhou, China
Operator:Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Formation:6 cars per trainset
Yearconstruction:2010–2012
Numberbuilt:228 cars (38 sets)[1]
Numberservice:222 cars (37 sets)
Lines:
Service:March 2012–present
Poweroutput:2560kW
Carbody:Aluminium
Height:3905abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Width:2.75m (09.02feet)
Floorheight:1.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Weight:238t
Capacity: (328 seats)
Depots:
  • Batu Gajah Rail Depot
  • Sentul Komuter Depot
  • Tanjung Malim Staging Area
  • New Seremban Komuter Depot (Sept 2013)
Trainlength:138.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Carlength:
  • 23.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on (Mc)
  • 22.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on (Tp/M)
Doors:3 double-leaf doors per side
Wheeldiameter:850frac=16NaNfrac=16
Brakes:two-pipe regenerative brake system
Traction:Siemens IGBTVVVF[2]
Traction Motors:16 × Siemens 1TB2004-0GA02 160kW 3-phase AC induction motor[3]
Electricsystem: overhead line
Collectionmethod:Double-arm Z-shaped Pantograph
Uicclass:Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Coupling:AAR
Safety:ETCS, ATP

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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6] [7]

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.[8]

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

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.

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.[11]

On top of all that, a new special 16.34lk=inNaNlk=in 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 each to store and maintain trains. The depot will also stage other Rawang-Seremban line rolling stocks.[12]

Design and construction

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,[13] while power traction units and vehicle control systems were built by Siemens in Germany.[14]

Formation

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Seating capacity50 57 57 57 57 50
DesignationMc Tp M M Tp Mc
Set Designation 1 2 3 4 5 6 Arrival Date Status Launch Date
Class 92 SCS 01C9201 T9201 M9201 M9202 T9202 C9202 Arrived Sept 22 Operational 8 March
Class 92 SCS 02C9203 T9203 M9203 M9204 T9204 C9204 Arrived Oct 19 Operational 8 March
Class 92 SCS 03C9205 T9205 M9205 M9206 T9206 C9206 Arrived Nov Operational 8 March
Class 92 SCS 04C9207 T9207 M9207 M9208 T9208 C9208 Arrived Nov Operational 8 March
Class 92 SCS 05C9209 T9209 M9209 M9210 T9210 C9210 Arrived Nov Operational 31 March
Class 92 SCS 06C9211 T9211 M9211 M9212 T9212 C9212 Arrived Nov Crashed 31 March
Class 92 SCS 07C9213 T9213 M9213 M9214 T9214 C9214 Arrived Dec Operational 31 March
Class 92 SCS 08C9215 T9215 M9215 M9216 T9216 C9216 Arrived Dec Operational 31 March
Class 92 SCS 09C9217 T9217 M9217 M9218 T9218 C9218 Arrived Dec Operational 31 March
Class 92 SCS 10C9219 T9219 M9219 M9220 T9220 C9220 Arrived Jan Operational 31 March
Class 92 SCS 11C9221 T9221 M9221 M9222 T9222 C9222 Arrived Jan Operational May
Class 92 SCS 12C9223 T9223 M9223 M9224 T9224 C9224 Arrived Jan Operational May
Class 92 SCS 13C9225 T9225 M9225 M9226 T9226 C9226 Arrived Feb Operational May
Class 92 SCS 14C9227 T9227 M9227 M9228 T9228 C9228 Arrived Feb Operational May
Class 92 SCS 15C9229 T9229 M9229 M9230 T9230 C9230 Arrived Feb Operational May
Class 92 SCS 16C9231 T9231 M9231 M9232 T9232 C9232 Arrived Feb Caught fire May
Class 92 SCS 17C9233 T9233 M9233 M9234 T9234 C9234 Arrived Operational May
Class 92 SCS 18C9235 T9235 M9235 M9236 T9236 C9236 Arrived Operational May
Class 92 SCS 19C9237 T9237 M9237 M9238 T9238 C9238 Arrived Operational June
Class 92 SCS 20C9239 T9239 M9239 M9240 T9240 C9240 Arrived Operational June
Class 92 SCS 21C9241 T9241 M9241 M9242 T9242 C9242 Arrived Operational June
Class 92 SCS 22C9243 T9243 M9243 M9244 T9244 C9244 Arrived Operational June
Class 92 SCS 23C9245 T9245 M9245 M9246 T9246 C9246 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 24C9247 T9247 M9247 M9248 T9248 C9248 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 25C9249 T9249 M9249 M9250 T9250 C9250 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 26C9251 T9251 M9251 M9252 T9252 C9252 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 27C9253 T9253 M9253 M9254 T9254 C9254 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 28C9255 T9255 M9255 M9256 T9256 C9256 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 29C9257 T9257 M9257 M9258 T9258 C9258 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 30C9259 T9259 M9259 M9260 T9260 C9260 Arrived Unknown July
Class 92 SCS 31C9261 T9261 M9261 M9262 T9262 C9262 Arrived Unknown July
Class 92 SCS 32C9263 T9263 M9263 M9264 T9264 C9264 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 33C9265 T9265 M9265 M9266 T9266 C9266 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 34C9267 T9267 M9267 M9268 T9268 C9268 Arrived Temporarily grounded July
Class 92 SCS 35C9269 T9269 M9269 M9270 T9270 C9270 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 36C9271 T9271 M9271 M9272 T9272 C9272 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 37C9273 T9273 M9273 M9274 T9274 C9274 Arrived Operational July
Class 92 SCS 38C9275 T9275 M9275 M9276 T9276 C9276 Arrived Operational July

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.[15] [16] [17]

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".[18] In other related incidents, in which Class 92 sets malfunctioned was due reportedly to poor maintenance and non-payment to suppliers.

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.[19]

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.[20] 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.[21] During the 2018 Malaysian general election, trains plastered with campaign advertising from then ruling party Barisan National had their windows cracked again.[22]

Accidents and incidents

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, it was later delayed to January[26] and then February 2012.[27] The eventual launch date for Class 92 took place on March 8, 2012.[28]

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: twitkommuter. @ktmkomuter. KTM Kommuter. KTMB. 10 July 2012.
  2. News: Chinese trains to expand KL Komuter fleet. 20 May 2016. Railway Gazette International. 26 November 2010.
  3. Web site: Majestic Engineering Sdn Bhd . Our Business .
  4. News: Lee. Patrick. Why all roads lead to Klang Valley. 24 September 2011. Free Malaysia Today. August 31, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110909043943/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/08/31/why-all-roads-lead-to-klang-valley/. 9 September 2011.
  5. Web site: NKRA Urban Public Transport. Ministry of Transport. MOT. 3 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120711083036/http://www.mot.gov.my/en/NKRA/Pages/NKRA.aspx. 11 July 2012. dead.
  6. News: KTM gets first batch of electric train coaches from China. September 23, 2011. The Star. 24 September 2011.
  7. News: Two sets of EMU trains being tested. Kaur. Manjit. November 3, 2011. TheStarOnline. 3 November 2011.
  8. Web site: Siemens upgrades mass transit system in Kuala Lumpur. Siemens.com. Siemens. 25 September 2011.
  9. News: Malaysia: Neue Fahrzeuge für Vorortverkehr. Anzeige. 5 August 2011. EuRailPress.de. 25 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120327170613/http://www.eurailpress.de/article/view//malaysia-neue-fahrzeuge-fuer-vorortverkehr.html. 27 March 2012. German.
  10. Web site: http://www.gofront.com/Zoe/ddcz/2011-2-27/MaLaiXiEChengJiGuiDaoLiChe_2.htm. gofront.com. Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works. Chinese. zh:马来西亚城际轨道列车. 25 September 2011.
  11. Web site: 南车株机造中国首个城际动车组4S店在吉隆坡开业. Rednet.cn. RedNet. Chinese. 4 March 2012. the main base in Kuala Lumpur Sentul depot, sub-base is located in Perak, the Tanjong Malim.
  12. Web site: Randal. Simon. Commuter train maintenance depot |expecting=to be built}} in Seremban]. The Malay Mail. MalayMail. 8 July 2012. https://archive.today/20130221102249/http://www.mmail.com.my/story/commuter-train-maintenance-depot-built-seremban. 21 February 2013. dead.
  13. Web site: http://bugu.cntv.cn/news/china/hnxwlb/classpage/video/20110707/101053.shtml. CNTV. Middle Kingdom News Network. Chinese. zh:湖南新闻联播. 24 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120904190732/http://bugu.cntv.cn/news/china/hnxwlb/classpage/video/20110707/101053.shtml. 4 September 2012. dead.
  14. Web site: Miabo. Nikolai. Quick arrival in the Klang Valley. RailwayGazette. Railway Gazette International. 3 August 2012.
  15. News: Charles, Lourdes. MACC probes purchase of Electric Multiple Units. 8 March 2012. The Star Online. 6 August 2010.
  16. Web site: Dzhulkefly. Ahmad. PAC wants MACC to investigate purchase of KTMB trains.. 4 August 2010. 8 March 2012.
  17. News: Maria. Stephannie. EMU train ready, MACC still lingering. 8 March 2012. Free Malaysia Today. 18 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120303054047/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/07/18/emu-train-ready-macc-still-lingering/. 3 March 2012. dead.
  18. Web site: Kauer. Shauren. KTMB's revival on shaky tracks?. BusinessTimes. btimes.com.my. 3 August 2012.
  19. News: Augustine. Sean. Warranty can be affected if trains not serviced . 6 August 2014. Rakyat Post. Jun 17, 2014.
  20. Web site: Ismail. Azizul. More Komuter trains by July and less waiting time. The Sun. thesundaily.my. 8 July 2012.
  21. Web site: Kaos. Joseph. New trains vandalised. The Star Online. The Star. 8 July 2012.
  22. News: Muhammad. Anne. KTM Komuter with BN, Najib ads vandalised. 11 May 2018. Malaysiakini. 5 May 2018.
  23. Web site: Nurul . Riduan. Komuter tergelincir di Stesen Shah Alam. SinarHarian. 31 October 2013. Malay.
  24. Web site: Komuter terlajak brek. Zain. Ruwaida Md. 2018-08-23. HM Online. ms. 2019-03-27.
  25. News: Trains crash in Tanjung Malim; ETS and KTM Komuter services disrupted. 18 October 2018. Mohd Hafizee Mohd Arop. New Straits Times.
  26. News: Sivanandam. Hemananthani. First set of EMU six-car trains to run in January. 5 March 2012. theSunDaily. 21 December 2011.
  27. Web site: KTMB's commuter service gets a boost. New Straits Times. NST. 4 March 2012.
  28. Web site: Adnan. Amimudin. Steps being taken to improve KTM service. The Star Online. 4 March 2012.
  29. News: New KTM Komuter trains launched. 8 March 2012. The Star Online. 8 March 2012.