NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Kuala Lumpur Monorail

The Kuala Lumpur monorail system in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, opened 31 August 2003, and serves 11 stations running 8.6 km with two parallel elevated tracks. It connects the Kuala Lumpur Sentral transport hub with the "Golden Triangle". It was completed at a cost of RM1.18 billion by the KL Infrastructure Group (KL Infra). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... ALWEG was a transportation company known for pioneering straddle-beam monorails. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... TNG may refer to: Samba TNG Star Trek: The Next Generation Talented And Gifted Telescopio Nazionale Galileo Transitional Federal Government of Somalia Trans-New Guinea languages Touch n Go Trinitroglycerin Category: ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... KTM Komuter section of KL Sentral. ... A view from outside Sungai Wang showing the Bukit Bintang monorail station and Lot 10. ... ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ...

Design

Line and stations

The KL Monorail system consists of a single dual-way line that serves a total of 11 stations located along the southeast and northeast regions of Kuala Lumpur, which had previously receive insufficient access to rail transport, namely Brickfields, Pudu, Imbi, Star Hill, Bukit Nanas, Chow Kit and Titiwangsa. Of the 11 stations, 4 are designated as "integrated stations" that are used as interchanges to and from the Ampang Line, Kelana Jaya Line or other transit services provided at Kuala Lumpur Sentral. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Titiwangsa station is a set of train stations in Malaysia that is served by the Ampang Line and Sri Petaling Line at one station, as well as the KL Monorail at another station. ... An Ampang Line LRT train at the Masjid Jamek LRT station. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Medan Tuanku Monorail station is a monorail station operated by KL Infrastructure Sdn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Medan Tuanku Monorail station is a monorail station operated by KL Infrastructure Sdn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Bukit Nanas Monorail station is located in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. ... The Kelana Jaya Line (KLJ) is one of the two lines in Kuala Lumpurs light rail transit (LRT) network. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Raja Chulan Monorail station is a monorail station operated by KL Infrastructure Sdn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Bukit Bintang Monorail station is located at Jalan Sultan Ismail, in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Imbi Monorail station is located above Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur just outside Berjaya Times Square and Plaza Berjaya. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Hang Tuah station is a set of train stations in Klang Valley that is served by the Ampang Line and Sri Petaling Line at one station, as well as by the KL Monorail at another. ... An Ampang Line LRT train at the Masjid Jamek LRT station. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Maharajalela Monorail station is a monorail station operated by KL Infrastructure Sdn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Tun Sambanthan Monorail station is a monorail station operated by KL Infrastructure Sdn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... KTM Komuter section of KL Sentral. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Kuala Lumpur Sentral is the central railway station of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. ... A train stopping at a KTMB railway station in Kuala Lipis, Pahang Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or the Malayan Railway is the main railway system in Peninsular Malaysia. ... The Kelana Jaya Line (KLJ) is one of the two lines in Kuala Lumpurs light rail transit (LRT) network. ... Screenshot of www. ... A train stopping at a KTMB railway station in Kuala Lipis, Pahang Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or the Malayan Railway is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. ... Brickfields is a small to medium sized town and residential area (or administrative zone) just outside central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ... Pudu is a small to medium sized town that is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. ... Imbi is a main places in Kuala Lumpur. ... A view from outside Sungai Wang showing the Bukit Bintang monorail station and Lot 10. ... Bukit Nanas is one of the main places in Kuala Lumpur. ... is a district in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ... Titiwangsa is a main area in Kuala Lumpur. ... An Ampang Line LRT train at the Masjid Jamek LRT station. ... The Kelana Jaya Line (KLJ) is one of the two lines in Kuala Lumpurs light rail transit (LRT) network. ... KTM Komuter section of KL Sentral. ...

The stations themselves are largely designed in the same fashion, as elevated structures with a ticketing facilities on either the ground level (as seen in the KL Sentral station), or the first level. The platforms are located on the top floor, separated from the monorail lines with fencing and covered with a large cream canvas roof. Certain stations are situated above roadways, or are slightly longer than others. Each station is also designated with a sponsor, with route maps associating each station with a particular company.

Rolling stock

The system utilises permanently coupled 2-car trains with similar styling and designs as the Seattle Center Monorail's ALWEG trains.^[1] The KL Monorail trains are capable of accommodating 158 passengers each during regular operations. The monorail carriages themselves were constructed by MTrans, a Malaysian monorail manufacturer,^[1] at the MTrans plant in Rawang, which also featured its own tracks for monorail train tests.^[2] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 489 KB) Summary A KL Monorail Train running on an elevated viaduct in the heart of Kuala Lumpur Img by Calvin Teo Jan06 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Monorail Kuala Lumpur Monorail Portal:Trains/Did... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 489 KB) Summary A KL Monorail Train running on an elevated viaduct in the heart of Kuala Lumpur Img by Calvin Teo Jan06 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Monorail Kuala Lumpur Monorail Portal:Trains/Did... The monorail tracks with the Space Needle visible in the distance The Seattle Center Monorail is an elevated monorail line in Seattle, Washington, that runs one mile along Fifth Avenue from Westlake Center in Downtown to Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne. ... ALWEG was a transportation company known for pioneering straddle-beam monorails. ... Rawang is a town based in Malaysia. ...

Fares

Depending on distance, a one-way trip costs between RM1.20 and RM2.50. Like much of Kuala Lumpur's transit system, commuters may use Touch 'n Go cards as an alternate method of payment to access monorail services. Image File history File links Klmonorail. ... Image File history File links Klmonorail. ... ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ... ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ... The Touch n Go smart card is used by Malaysian toll highway operators as the sole electronic payment system. ...

History

The monorail's construction was initiated by Hitachi, Ltd., but the 1997 East Asian financial crisis led to cessation of work in December of 1997. When work was resumed in July 1998, MTrans Holdings took over, locally manufacturing its own rolling stock and completing the project to save cost;^[1] the line was completed at a cost of RM1.18 billion. As the line was opened in 2003, it was agreed that the parent company and owner of the KL Monorail, KL Infrastructure Group, would hold a 40-year concession to operate the monorail. The line and number of stations remains unchanged since 2003. It has been suggested that Hitachi Works be merged into this article or section. ... The East Asian Financial Crisis was a period of economic unrest that started in July 1997 in Thailand and South Korea with the financial collapse of Kia, and affected currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices in several Asian countries, many considered Four Asian Tigers. ... ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ...

Since the start of the KL Monorail's operations, the KL Infrastructure Group suffered losses due largely to depreciation and interest repayment costs.^[3] For the financial year ending April 30, 2004 alone, KL Infra posted a net loss of RM46.24 million on a RM15.08 million revenue.^[4] KL Infra had also taken up a RM300 million Malaysian government loan and a RM260 million infrastructure loan from the Development Bank of Malaysia (Malay: Bank Pembangunan Malaysia). In addition, KL Infra had proposed to buy MTrans' three subsidiary companies to improve its business, but failed after the Scomi Group bought up some of the targetted companies.^[3] Declining-balance depreciation of a $50,000 asset with $6,500 salvage value over 20 years. ... Interest is the rent paid to borrow money. ... April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ... The Malay language, also known locally as bahasa Melayu, is an Austronesian language spoken by the Malay people who reside in the Malay Peninsula, southern Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, central eastern Sumatra, the Riau islands, and parts of the coast of Borneo. ...

Government takeover

In April 2007, talks were underway between KL Infra, and the Government and Development Bank to sell the assets and liabilities of the KL Monorail to the Syarikat Prasarana Negara (National Infrastructure Company), which already owns both the Kelana Jaya Line and the Ampang Line, as well as 10% of KL Infra's shares. KL Infra was cited as intending to exit Malaysia's monorail business. The takeover plan is part of the Government's masterplan to improve the urban public transport sector.^[3]^[5] Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) (English: National Infrastructure Company Limited) is a 100% government-owned company which was set up to own the assets of several public transport services in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, under the governments move to restructure the citys public transport system. ... The Kelana Jaya Line (KLJ) is one of the two lines in Kuala Lumpurs light rail transit (LRT) network. ... An Ampang Line LRT train at the Masjid Jamek LRT station. ...

On 3 May 2007, KL Monorail was issued a default notice by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia which sought repayment of the entire principal sum of RM609,616,423.73 and capitalized interest of RM296,428,910.88 totalling RM906,045,334.61 as at 28 April 2007. The company was granted seven days from that days to repay the entire sum.^[6] On 14 May 2007, Mohd Anwar Bin Yahya and Cho Choo Meng were appointed joint and several receivers and managers for KL Monorail by Amanah Raya Berhad, the Security Trustee for Bank Pembangunan Malaysia.^[6]

The trading of KL Infra was then suspended from 15 May 2007.^[7] On the same day, KL Infra's board announced to Bursa Malaysia that it had formed the opinion that its was not solvent and will not be able to pay all its debts in full within a period not exceeding twelve months.^[8]

David Cheliah accident

Prior to the opening of the KL Monorail an accident occurred involving a safety wheel from a train falling off and hitting a pedestrian walking under the monorail viaduct. The victim, Mr. David Cheliah, a journalist by profession, suffered injuries that required hospitalisation. The matter was settled out of court under undisclosed terms.

The monorail company reported that any such accident was "unlikely" as 6 bolts would have to be removed for it to occur. Furthermore a check of all 23 other safety wheels on the train involved did not turn up any other issues.

Ridership

The monthly ridership has increased from 341,850 passengers in September 2003 to 1.18 million passengers in August 2004. As of 2005, ridership is currently averaging 45,000 passengers per day.^[1] The monorail has carried 25 million passengers since its opening.

Expansion

There is ample room for more cars for each monorail train. Currently, trains have only two carriages each and are overcrowded at peak times, and they are also much shorter than the station platforms. In 2004, a shuttle line from the Tun Sambanthan station to the Mid Valley Megamall and an extension of the southern end of the line closer to Kuala Lumpur Sentral were also proposed,^[9] but there is little news of the extensions having been approved. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2362 KB) Summary Top view of the KL Monorail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2362 KB) Summary Top view of the KL Monorail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ... Bukit Nanas Monorail station is located in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. ... Tun Sambanthan Monorail station is a monorail station operated by KL Infrastructure Sdn. ... Mid Valley Megamall is a 4. ... KTM Komuter section of KL Sentral. ...

Criticism

Integration with other lines

The Klang Valley public rail transit system are not seamlessly integrated for ticketing or changing trains. The monorail, the newest component of the system, has been publicly criticised over the way its stations have been connected to the other systems. The KL Sentral monorail station is 140 metres away from the main KL Sentral building, separated by a giant car park and a busy road. Pathways were not covered until well after construction.

Recently, stalls for petty traders have been put up along the covered pathway causing the pathway to be crowded, poorly ventilated and difficult to navigate due to poor signage^{[citation needed]}.

The KL Monorail has accepted Touch 'n Go cards since August 2005 but does not accept the Rapid KL passes for the Klang Valley public transportation system of which it is a critical part.

Poor ergonomics

Not many escalators have been provided. Platforms are narrow and ventilation is poor. Users have to walk up and down many stairs to reach the platform. "Overhead bridges" allow passengers to cross from one platform to another, confirming the monorail's reputation of it being merely a joy-ride. The stations are also devoid of support for disabled passengers, lacking elevators or wheelchair lifts along the stairs. Look up disability in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In terms of the rolling stock, the ride is bumpy and there have been safety concerns, especially after the David Cheliah incident. The seating configuration, where seats are arranged in the middle of the carriage, have been criticised as it encourages standing passengers to stand by the doors and not move into the middle of the carriages, causing congestion when passengers embark or disembark.

Platforms are narrow and roofs are low causing uncomfortable waits for trains. Navigating the station involves climbing many short flights of steps. Escalators, when present at all, only head upwards.

Weaknesses in design and planning is evident at busy stations such as at KL Sentral. For example, at rush hour on a rainy day, passengers transfering from the monorail station to the main KL Sentral building have to cross busy Jalan Tun Sambanthan using a signalled crossing. Commuters would have to crowd at the station entrance before crossing the road.

Expensive rides

Ticket prices have also been criticised. Compared to other similar journeys of similar distances on other modes of rail transport in the Klang Valley, monorail ticket prices are the highest. For example, a one station ride from Bukit Bintang to Imbi (a walking distance) is RM1.20, while a longer one station ride from Masjid Jamek to Pasar Seni on the Kelana Jaya Line costs RM1.00. ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ... The Kelana Jaya Line (KLJ) is one of the two lines in Kuala Lumpurs light rail transit (LRT) network. ... ISO 4217 Code MYR User(s) Malaysia Inflation 2. ...

Poor planning in construction of viaducts

Columns supporting the rails have been poorly placed at a few locations. Most notably is at Jalan Sultan Ismail of which the parts between Bukit Bintang and Jalan P Ramlee are one way. The columns have been constructed in the middle of the road, before it was turned one way, so much so that in spite of Jalan Sultan Ismail being one way, it remains a dual carriageway. This has been potentially confusing for road users.

References

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (116th in leap years). ... The New Straits Times is a Malaysian English-language newspaper. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (116th in leap years). ... The New Straits Times is a Malaysian English-language newspaper. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (116th in leap years). ... The Edge (Malaysia) is a leading Malaysian financial and investment weekly published by . ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (116th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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