KTM Bhd, the national railway operating company, has taken a number of measures minimize disruptions to freight train schedules during the construction of 180 kilometre double track between Rawang-Ipoh sector

The managing director of KTM Bhd, Datuk Mohd Nor Idrus said the contractor has been given 10-hour line block for five days per week to facilitate the double track project works in this route.

“This has resulted in the cancellation of number of trains during the Monday-Friday period," he added.

Mohd Nor stressed that KTM Bhd would try to recover the loss with an additional services during the weekend.

“We are trying to maintain existing freight train services on the Rawang-Ipoh sector by introducing special arrangement,” he said.

A new system of "multiple unit locomotive working" will be introduced during the period. The system allows KTM Bhd to use two locomotives on the same train to carry more wagons. 

“If the need arises to overcome the line block congestion, we may look into the option of introducing permissive working system whereby a train is allowed to follow each other in the same block,” assured Mohd Nor.

"KTM Bhd is also preparing for long stabling lines with flood lights to ensure the safety of the freight trains at designated railway stations. We have appointed station supervisors to closely monitor the train movement before and after the line block," said Mohd Nor.

"I am giving my assurance that if need arises we will mobilize Multimodal Freight Services Sdn Bhd, the wholly owned haulage company of KTM Bhd, to deliver containers on time. We are committed to our customers," stressed Mohd Nor.

Currently there are four major landbridge operators in the country taking up specific “windows” on KTM tracks.

They are T.S Transrail, Freight Management, T.S Allied Tran and PTP Landbridge.

These four operators handled 23,710 TEUs last year and in the first six months period of this year they have contributed 8,426 TEUs and appear to be on target to deliver 17,532 TEUs targeted for this year.