KL Sentral sees train passengers increase

On the move: Commuters in transit walking around KL Sentral.

KUALA LUMPUR: There has been a marked increase in the number of train passengers at KL Sentral with the limited resumption of interstate travel.

One of the passengers travelling on KTM Bhd’s Electric Train Service (ETS) was businesswoman Rishah Mahfor.

The 45-year-old was heading back to her hometown in Pasir Gudang, Johor, to visit her mother, who was unwell.

“When the government announced that we can travel interstate, I immediately registered myself on the Gerak Malaysia app.

“My mum is unwell, so I want to visit her, ” she said.

Rishah, who is taking the ETS for the first time, said she was concerned about getting Covid-19 when travelling on public transport.

She said she would follow the precautions recommended by the Health Ministry.

Another traveller, Izairi Aizam Maulakamarudin, 21, was also taking precautions to avoid being exposed to the novel coronavirus.

“I am worried a bit about it, but I am taking precautions by wearing a face mask and carrying a bottle of hand sanitiser with me, ” he said.

Izairi Aizam was happy to get permission for interstate travel.

“I’m happy to be able to go back to my hometown and see my family, ” said the soldier whose detachment is currently stationed in Sabah.

S. Vijaya, an administration executive in her 40s, was also travelling on the ETS to Gemas, Negri Sembilan.

Vijaya was glad to be able to travel interstate, as before the movement control order (MCO) was enforced, she travelled frequently between Kuala Lumpur and her hometown of Kluang in Johor.

“My father has been sick for almost a month, so I made the decision to visit him.

“I’m also really happy to be able to see my family after close to two months of not seeing them, ” said Vijaya, who was wearing a face mask.

KTMB head of strategic communications Ahmad Asri Khalbi said the trains were only allowed to be filled to half capacity to ensure social distancing between passengers.

“We also take the temperature of passengers at the stations and provide hand sanitisers at the stations and onboard the trains, ” he said when contacted.

He said KTMB also encouraged travellers to purchase tickets online rather than at the stations to minimise physical contact.

Ahmad said that while KTMB trains had been running throughout the MCO period, it was not running at full service.

“During the MCO period, travellers on the trains were those working with essential services, such as medical personnel.

“Now that interstate travel is allowed, ticket sales are increasing again.

“But it’s nowhere near previous years’ Ramadan, as usually when it’s Ramadan, tickets were always sold out and we needed additional services, ” he said.

He said KTMB would be back to operating full services on May 13 should there be a green light from the Transport Ministry and the National Security Council. - Star