Rapid KL monorail resumed normal services at 4pm today after operating on a ‘degraded mode’ — without the support of automatic signalling system — since yesterday.
In a statement today, Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd – the operator of Rapid KL Monorail Services — said its signalling system had been damaged after several fibre optic cables were found to have been bitten by rodents.
“Our team immediately undertake (sic) remedial actions to identify the location and to repair the damaged fibre optic cables near a secluded behind the TM office near Jalan Tun Sambanthan.”
“Clearly, they were bitten by rodents which have infested the area. We will intensify checks on the cables and take further actions to overcome this situation,” says Abdul Hadi Amran, chief operating officer of Monorail Line.
Operating on manual instructions from the control centre had also caused the trains to have longer stops at stations.
The company was also looking into yesterday’s incident at the Titiwangsa Station where the rubber tyre of a monorail train caught fire.
“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire could be caused by a broken main hub bearing, which got overheated, jammed, and dragged the tyre. We are still investigating the matter to ascertain the actual cause.”
He also apologised for this morning’s incident in which a four-car train that got stranded between Imbi and Bukit Bintang.
The train, which was checked and cleared by its builders and maintenance contractor, Scomi Engineering for today’s operations, encountered power loss while approaching the Bukit Bintang Station from Imbi, causing it to be stranded on the track and temporary disrupted the monorail service.
A rescue train was deployed to pull the train for approximately 50 meters to the nearest Imbi Station before disembarking the passengers. The affected train has since been sent to the Titiwangsa Station for further checks and rectification.
Normal service resumed between the Imbi and Bukit Bintang Stations with minimal impact at 9.25am.
“Investigation on cause of this incident is being carried out,” Hadi added.
