Most days, we hear about LRT or MRT disruptions, as many passengers rely on these services for their daily commute to and from work. Although the KTM service also needs an upgrade, it doesn’t generate as many viral complaints online.
That said, when KTM trains do go viral, it’s usually over passenger safety concerns. Previously, netizens were left shocked when one of the train’s doors was left open while it was in motion, raising fears that someone could easily fall out. Over the weekend, one train overshot the end of the track, causing it to crash into the station’s platform. Here’s what happened:
On Saturday morning (8th November), a six-car KTM Komuter train overshot the end of the track at Butterworth station in Penang, crashing into the platform. According to reports, the incident occurred at around 6:01am at Platform 4. Thankfully, no injuries or casualties were reported, as the train was reportedly empty; it was part of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB)’s daily service schedule.
There were also no reports of passengers at the station at the time who witnessed the incident. Regardless, KTMB immediately launched an investigation into what may have caused the train to malfunction. The company issued a statement later that day to address the situation. “Recovery works are underway to ensure safety at the site and smooth operations at the station. All passenger trains at Butterworth are operating as usual via Platforms 1 and 2, including ETS and KTM Komuter Utara services,” the statement reads.
KTMB also stated that Platforms 3 and 4 will be temporarily closed to allow for repairs and safety inspections. However, there has been no update on the investigation. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters that Butterworth KTM station is set to undergo a RM30 million upgrade, with a contractor expected to be appointed next month.
Sources: MalayMail, TheStar, Facebook, FMT
