Malaysia has made the decision to lease 62 trains from the Chinese company CRRC for KTM.
The 62 new passenger train sets in Phase 1 will consist of 36 three-car set (3CS) electric multiple unit (EMU) sets, 12 six-car set (6CS) EMU sets and 14 6CS diesel multiple unit (DMU) sets. At present, almost 90% of the passenger trains in the KTM network are manufactured by the state-owned China Railway and Rolling Stock Corporations (CRRC).
Transport minister of Malaysia Anthony Loke said that the lease would be implemented through a government-to-government (G2G) mechanism, and Phase 1 – which is from 2024 to 2027 – will see Malaysia acquiring 62 new passenger train sets at an estimated cost of RM 10.7 billion (USD 2.4 billion). The cost is calculated over 30 years.
Soon after negotiations with China, the actual cost will be finalized.
The CRRC trains are being built in Malaysia
CRRC will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of all trains throughout the duration of the contract.
“The advantage of this new method is that the leasing cost covers all levels of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) by the entity supplying the trains for the lease period. This will directly ensure that train operations are more efficient and safer for the convenience of the public,” Loke explained, reported by Bernama.
The trains are equipped with a Siemens SIBAC E951 D1442 traction system with an IGMT VVVF inverter, allowing speeds of up to 160 km/h.
To enhance safety, the trains are equipped with an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
The majority of the trains are being built locally at the CRRC plant in Batu Gajah. The Malaysian government will also acquire a stake in the factory, according to the agreement.
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