After a two year wait, the KLIA Aerotrains return date has been announced as the trains are in the final stages of testing. Media were invited to a sneak preview with the Malaysian Transport Minister, YB Loke Siew Fook on 21st June to try out the trains and hear that the first passengers will be able to use the new trains from 10am on 1st July 2025.
New KLIA Aerotrains return – to carry more passengers
The fully automated, driverless three car trains are certainly prettier than the old trains, decorated with Malaysia’s national flower, the Bunga Raya (red hibiscus (Rosa sinensis)), in recognition of Visit Malaysia 2026 #VM2026.
Design-wise, the trains are similar to the old units, with large windows especially at the front and rear of each carriage, where there is limited seating. There is also seating along the sides between the doors, although the centre of the carriage is clear, to allow for more standing passengers and their hand carry luggage.
Each Carriage can carry up to 90 passengers giving a total capacity of 270 passengers in a full train. With two trains running at any one time, one in each direction, turnover is quite quick and the travel time of a little under three minutes is much more acceptable than the buses currently filling in for them. The buses will still be maintained as a backup, particularly during the initial period of operation.
The trains will run 24 hours a day, with peak period between 5am and 12midnight. The Alstom Innovia APM R trainsets claims exceptional reliability, ensuring seamless operation while significantly reducing operational expenditure. This will be music to the ears of travellers, some of whom, when seeing the activity today, were disappointed to learn that they still had to catch the bus. With three trainsets available, there should always be one available to cover trains undergoing maintenance and this should generate confidence.
The new trains are expected to move millions of travellers a year using South East’s Asia’s main transit hub, Kuala Lumpur International Airport. You can get more information from Malaysia Airports website.
This APM replacement project coordination was led by Alstom and a joint venture (JV) between IJM Construction Sdn Bhd and Pestech Technology Sdn Bhd (IJMC-Pestech JV). This covered the supply of three new Innovia APM R train sets and the advanced Urbalis Flo CBTC signalling system. The company has supported notable rail projects in Malaysia for over 20 years, including the Kuala Lumpur Sri Petaling and Ampang Lines, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kelana Jaya LRT, Kajang Line MRT and Putrajaya Line MRT.
This Post Has 0 Comments