The KL Monorail 4-car train fleet which was introduced since December 2014, is currently not in operations since mid of May 2017.
The 4-car trains are solely operated and maintained by Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd after handover by Scomi Transit Projects Sdn Bhd to the client, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd beginning in 2014.
Scomi, as the manufacturer of the train, wishes to highlight that prior to the revenue service, the trains underwent rigorous validation process, design reviews and endurance tests either independently or jointly with Prasarana, the Engineer under the Contract, suppliers and authorities before a Rail Worthiness Certificate was issued by an international Independent Checking Engineer (ICE) and presented to SPAD for its final approval to start revenue service.
The Prasarana-appointed ICE was MMRA Limited, which is an independent and impartial organisation that provides assurance and certification services to all areas of the railway industry.
Scomi became aware of the grounding at the same time as the public through RRML’s Media release, whereupon Scomi approached RRML to discuss its concerns and recommended certain enhancements. These enhancements do not alter the fundamental design philosophy and safety of the trains previously approved by Prasarana and certified by the ICE in 2014.
Due to the contractual dispute between Scomi and Prasarana, Scomi was instructed to vacate the KL Monorail new depot approximately 9 months ago.
Nonetheless, in the interests of the public for continued operations of the 4-car trains, Scomi has been extending support to RRML. We are of the opinion that based upon full inspection being carried out, these trains are fit for operation.
An effective urban transit system is dependent upon all its systems being in good operable condition, assisted by efficient maintenance practices. Through early detection and mitigation, reliability of the fleet can be maintained.
Notwithstanding all the above and the pending resolutions to the dispute, Scomi is committed to delivering the full fleet of 4-car trains and have cooperated with Prasarana and the relevant stakeholders for the project completion.
When the dispute commenced, the project was at 83% completion, and since then, in spite of the dispute, Scomi had continued to progress with the manufacturing of car bodies and bogies to ensure the remaining 6 trains can be completed within the agreed 7 months in accordance with the Third Supplemental Contract executed between Scomi and Prasarana on 3 March 2017.