Ktmb Services Disrupted By Cable Theft Yet Again

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 The thefts occurred near Tapah, Taiping and Bukit Mertajam.
The Northern Komuter and Electric Train Services (ETS) were delayed due to the cable thefts.PETALING JAYA: Cable theft involving the signalling and communication systems on three Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad’s (KTMB) northern routes today caused disruption and train delays of more than 60 minutes for both the Northern Komuter and Electric Train Services (ETS)
The affected locations were the Tapah Road-Sungkai (Km250.5) route with 200 metres of cable stolen, Kamunting-Bukit Merah-Bagan Serai (Km87.25) route with 110 metres stolen, and Simpang Ampat-Bukit Mertajam (Km15.5) route with 40 metres affected, Bernama reported.
Trains were delayed by 80 to 115 minutes.
The services affected were EP9172 (KL Sentral- Butterworth), EG9321 (Butterworth-Segamat), EX9107 (Butterworth-KL Sentral), EX9207 (Padang Besar-KL Sentral), and EG9420 (Segamat-Padang Besar).
In addition, the Northern KTM Komuter service on the Ipoh-Butterworth-Ipoh route was delayed by 30 minutes.
KTMB said early notifications of the disruptions were sent to passengers via SMS and KTMB’s official social media platforms.
KTMB chief operating officer Zain Mat Taha said 45 cases of cable theft have been recorded in the northern sector from January to May this year.
KTMB has announced a plan to upgrade its signalling network at a cost of RM12.8 million annually over the next three years, with a focus on hotspot areas.
They plan to install manhole covers with special locking mechanisms at 21 locations, introduce CCTV cameras and drones, and have anti-climb security fencing.
KTMB auxiliary police, with the help of police, will intensify patrols in hotspot areas to curb theft.
KTMB incurred losses of RM1.28 million last year and RM162,000 as of March this year from these cable thefts. - FMT

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