Recent breakdowns have left passengers fed up with the aerotrain glitches, to say the least.
To tackle the issue, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is looking to find a longterm plan that includes replacing the aerotrain and its signalling system with a skybridge.
The proposed skybridge is being discussed with Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)’s handler, MAHB.
“Other than a skybridge, which will have a walkalator, we also have several other proposals as long-term solutions, including replacing the aerotrain. Whatever we put in the airport is considered capital expenditure and these are things that we have to discuss with the government,” Managing Director Badlisham Ghazali told reporters yesterday (Tuesday, 31st May 2016).
In the meantime, more than 24 buses and vans had been stationed at the airport in the event the aerotrains unexpectedly breaks down again. “We are still looking to further improve it, including upgrading the signalling system which we think was the cause of a lot of the recent downtimes,” Badlisham added.
The aerotrain service serves as a link between the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building, allowing passengers to catch their flights or exit the airport.
Last Friday (27th May 2016), chaos erupted when hundreds of travellers at KLIA were left stranded after 2 aerotrains broke down unexpectedly. At that time, MAHB said that the aerotains were undergoing corrective maintenance and directed passengers to the bussing services. The aerotains resumed operations the next day (Saturday, 28th May 2016).
A similar breakdown took place last December.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today, The News Straits Times.
