KUALA LUMPUR – A railway power outage that left passengers on a KL-Butterworth ETS stranded on the tracks was a real test of patience last night on the eve of Hari Raya.
Power was eventually restored and passengers on the EP9176 train were transferred to an alternative ETS, but a few on board took to social media to post both their frustrations as well as silver linings.
Despite the stuffiness, heat, over-capacity of train toilets and the uncomfortable conditions to break fast, @quexieqbal said on X that there was a “good side” which saw people sharing food “in the darkness”.
He also witnessed an adult going round to share toys with children to keep them occupied, and when the time came to disembark and go to an alternative train, “people really (came) together to help the needy and old folks” to get down ladders and cross over to the other train.
User @quexieqbal said the EP9176 train came to a stop before the Parit Buntar station at around 5.13pm when the electricity went out.
As such there was no air conditioning and lights onboard. There was also no water and “toilet bowls were full”.
He said electricity was only restored at 7.50pm, nearly three hours later.
Passengers on the affected train were only transferred to an alternative ETS at 9.44pm.
“Technical problems are out of one’s control. But the backup solution came so late. Understand that this is the second time this has happened this year”.
He and other users slammed Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), reminding the rail operator of its responsibility to passengers.
In a statement last night, KTMB said a power line issue at KM79.50 between Kamunting and Bukit Merah had caused the disruption, which led to two hours of delayed service for the ETS and northern Komuter services.
It had to transfer passengers on the stranded KL-Butterworth service, EP9176, to an auxiliary ETS at 9.15pm as the affected train could not be pulled by locomotive due to the power failure.
“KTMB apologises to all affected users. ETS passengers who could not continue their journey will be given a full refund,” the rail operator said. – April 10, 2024