Ampang and Sri Petaling lines

File:Chan Sow Lin LRT Station track (211106).jpg is visible in the background.]]

The Ampang Line and Sri Petaling Line were originally known as the STAR-LRT (abbreviation for Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan, which translates to Light Rail Transit System), a single train line originating at Sentul Timur station, with two branches to Ampang and Sri Petaling via Chan Sow Lin station.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

STAR-LRT was first conceived in the 1981 Transport Master Plan, when the Malaysian government proposed a network of LRT lines connecting Kuala Lumpur city centre with the surrounding areas. An agreement was signed between the government and STAR in 1992.[http://atrf.info/papers/1996/1996_Mohamad.pdf An LRT-Bus strategy for greater Kuala Lumpur: What future integration?], page 9-10

The original system ({{Cvt|27.4|km}}) consists of 25 stations built in two phases. Phase one ({{Cvt|12.4|km}}) consists of 14 stations (Ampang – Sultan Ismail) and a depot near Ampang station. Phase two ({{Cvt|15|km}}) consists of 11 stations (Chan Sow Lin – Sri Petaling, and Sultan Ismail – Sentul Timur). The two phases opened in December 1996 and July 1998, respectively.[https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/members.old/Trolley_Wire/269%20-%20Trolley%20Wire%20-%20May%201997.pdf Trolley Wire], page 12-14[https://archnet.org/system/publications/contents/1653/original/FLS1897.pdf?1384751000 Light Rail Transit Stations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820033307/https://archnet.org/system/publications/contents/1653/original/FLS1897.pdf?1384751000 |date=20 August 2017 }}, page 4

The early phase of Ampang Line uses defunct Keretapi Tanah Melayu Ampang branch and followed closely with the right-of-way from the old Sultan Street railway station which run toward Salak.

The initial plan was for STAR to build, own and manage the STAR-LRT. However, STAR ran into financial difficulties and had to be bailed out by the government.[http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/4031 LRT to be bailed out, govt confirms] So, in 2002, Prasarana took over the line and renamed the STAR LRT to the "Starline".{{Cn|date=April 2023}} Operations of the line were subsequently transferred to Rapid KL in 2004 and the line was renamed the LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line in 2005. The LRT Ampang Line assumed the branch line between Sentul Timur and Ampang stations, whereas LRT Sri Petaling Line assumed the branch line between Sentul Timur and Sri Petaling stations.

{{Main|Ampang and Sri Petaling lines extension}}

In 2006, the government announced the LRT Sri Petaling Line extension project. The extension comprised 11 new stations over {{Convert|17.7|km}} of elevated track beyond Sri Petaling station. This extended the terminus of the Sri Petaling Line from Sri Petaling to Putra Heights.{{Cite news |url= http://www.thesundaily.my/news/451594 |title=George Kent-Lion Pacific JV gets Ampang Line extension job |date=31 July 2012 |work=The Sun Daily |location= Kuala Lumpur |access-date=7 May 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170912144533/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/451594 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |url-status=dead }} Unlike the original line, which uses the Fixed-block signalling system, the extension uses the Communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling system. As a result, when the first four stations and the next four stations opened on 31 October 2015 and 31 March 2016, the extension ran as a separate train service between Sri Petaling station and Bandar Puteri station.{{cite news |url= http://english.astroawani.com/business-news/month-long-free-ride-four-new-lrt-stations-prasarana-78345 |title= Month-long free ride at four new LRT stations – Prasarana |website= astroawani.com |agency= Bernama |date=28 October 2015}}{{cite news |url= http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/03/28/sri-petaling-lrt-line-up-and-running/ |title= Prasarana announces partial opening of Sri Petaling LRT line |date=28 March 2016 |work=The Star |location= Kuala Lumpur}}

Re-signalling had to be carried out on the original line before the extension could be combined with the rest of the line. Thales was awarded a contract on 3 September 2012 to upgrade the signalling system on the original line, and the work was completed in July 2016.{{cite press release |url= https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/group/press-release/thales-awarded-contract-upgrade-kuala-lumpur-ampang-line-fully |title= Thales awarded the contract to upgrade Kuala Lumpur Ampang Line to fully automated CBTC signalling |publisher=Thales Group }}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url= http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/06/17/temporary-suspension-of-lrt-ampang-sri-petaling-lines/ |title=Temporary suspension of LRT Ampang, Sri Petaling lines |date= 17 June 2016 |work=The Star |location=Kuala Lumpur}}

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines run on a common route between Sentul Timur station and Chan Sow Lin station, serving Kuala Lumpur city centre, effectively making all the stations on this section act as interchanges between both lines. The stations have a dedicated platform for trains travelling north to Sentul Timur, and one for trains travelling to Chan Sow Lin, with trains on the respective lines taking turns to stop at the stations at a given time. From the Chan Sow Lin station, the lines diverge and run separately. The LRT Ampang Line travels to its terminus, Ampang station, serving towns in the Cheras and Ampang Jaya areas. The LRT Sri Petaling Line runs to Putra Heights station, where it meets the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, serving southern Kuala Lumpur and Puchong. {{cite news |author=Kong Wai Yeng |url= https://www.timeout.com/kuala-lumpur/blog/direct-lrt-travel-between-ampang-and-sentul-timur-starts-tomorrow-113016 |title=Direct LRT travel between Ampang and Sentul Timur starts tomorrow |work=Time Out |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=19 July 2017}}{{cite news |url= https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/192862/direct-lrt-travel-between-ampang-and-sentul-timur-thursday |title=Direct LRT travel between Ampang and Sentul Timur from Thursday |work=New Straits Times |location= Kuala Lumpur |date=29 November 2016 |access-date=19 July 2017 |agency=Bernama}}

Stations on both lines have similar architectural designs and are a mixture of surface and elevated stops. There are no underground stations on either line. Most of the stations have two side platforms, except for four stations that use one single island platform. Chan Sow Lin station has two island platforms, allowing cross-platform interchange between trains from Ampang and Putra Heights, while Putra Heights station has two side platforms and one island platform to facilitate transfers between the LRT Sri Petaling Line and the LRT Kelana Jaya Line.

The stations were initially built without accessibility options for physically challenged passengers. Disabled-friendly facilities for most stations on both lines were installed at the beginning of 2012.

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines system network fleet consists of the following models:

• 50 6-car CSR Zhuzhou articulated LRV trainsets, nicknamed as AMY, operated since January 2015.
• 30 6-car Adtranz-Walkers LRV trainsets, which were operated from December 1996 until December 2016, have been phased out and replaced by CSR Zhuzhou articulated LRV trainsets.

{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}File:Kuala Lumpur Star LRT train (four-EMU).jpg-Walkers articulated LRV trainset, showing the initial four-car configurations]]

The former fleet consisted of 90 Adtranz standard-gauge light rail vehicle (LRV) manufactured by Walkers Limited of Australia. These trains were electric multiple units (EMU), which draw power from the underside of a third rail alongside the track. All cars in each train were powered. The trains were manned, with driver cabs occupying the ends of the train. The four-car trainset, an initial configuration that consists of only two EMU sets (2+2) of one driving car and one trailer car at both ends were used from the beginning of the operation in 1996. This formation were used in service until the centre trailer cars were added, becoming the six-car trainset, which consisted of three sets of two EMUs (2+2+2) and occupied the maximum platform length of the stations. Each of the two EMU sets at the front and rear consisted of one driving car and one trailer car, while the two EMUs between were trailer cars. Each two EMU sets were not connected to other EMU sets in the train.

File:Kuala Lumpur Star LRT train (six-EMU).jpg-Walkers LRV]]

Each car had 3 bogies: 2 power bogies and one articulated trailer for the centre bogie. The end cars, numbered 1101 to 1260, have driver cabs. Middle cars numbered 2201 to 2230 have a concealed driver control panel, enabling the car to be moved around the depot independently.

File:STAR LRT (train interior).jpg-Walkers LRV]]

The train interiors were simple and basic. There were no individual seats, only longitudinal bench seating on either side of the train, surfaced in metal, while spaces near the connecting ends of the cars were provided for passengers who use wheelchairs and other assistive devices, with a large amount of floorspace for standing passengers. The rolling stock, which has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1996, were replaced in stages by the new trains between 2015 and 2016.

File:170607 KL city centre from PWTC.jpg LRV at PWTC]]

File:LRT Ampang Line Train Interior.jpg

The second generation rolling stock of the LRT Ampang Line and LRT Sri Petaling Line currently consists of a fleet of 50 new trains, better known as AMY, that are deployed to increase the capacity of the line and provide a better service. Each of the new trains is six cars long{{cite news|date=7 March 2015|title=Prasarana: Ampang Line extension Phase 1 on track for October launch|work=Malay Mail|location=Kuala Lumpur|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/prasarana-ampang-line-lrt-extension-phase-1-on-track-for-october-launch|access-date=17 March 2015}}{{cite news|date=30 January 2015|title='Amy' to hit the tracks in October|work=The Star|location=Kuala Lumpur|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/30/Amy-to-hit-the-tracks-in-October-x/|access-date=17 March 2015}} and provided by CSR Zhuzhou of China, similar to on the design for İzmir Metro and Buenos Aires Underground 200 Series.{{cite news|date=4 March 2014|title=CSR unveils new trains for KL Ampang Line|work=International Railway Journal|location=London|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/csr-unveils-new-train-for-kl-ampang-line.html|access-date=17 March 2015}} These trains are disabled-friendly and include safety features like closed-circuit TV, emergency breakable window, emergency ventilation fan, fire and smoke detection system. The trains are equipped with supervised automatic train operation system (SATO), which claims to be the first railway in Malaysia to introduce such systems. Other elements such as interactive destination display inside the train, non-slipping seats, LCD infotainment, walk-through gangways, and more wheelchair space were included.{{cite news|author=Cheong, Sam|date=28 February 2014|title=RapidKL gets 50 coaches for Ampang Line route|newspaper=The Star|location=Kuala Lumpur|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/02/28/New-trains-on-track-RapidKL-gets-50-coaches-for-Ampang-LRT-route/|access-date=17 March 2015}}{{cite news|date=21 October 2014|title=Ampang Line to get new trains in 2015|newspaper=The Star|location=Kuala Lumpur|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/10/21/Prasarana-replaces-train/?style=biz|access-date=17 March 2015}} The first trains were put into service on the Sri Petaling-Kinrara BK5 stretch in October 2015, and then until Putra Heights and Sentul Timur in July 2016, and finally the Ampang branch line in December 2016.{{cite web|date=29 November 2016|title=Direct LRT travel between Ampang and Sentul Timur from Thursday | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News|url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/192862/direct-lrt-travel-between-ampang-and-sentul-timur-thursday|access-date=19 July 2017|publisher=Nst.com.my}}

Each train consists of six cars, with numbers 1 to 6 labelled sequentially.

The car numbers of the trains range from 301x to 450x, where x depends on the carriage type. Individual cars are assigned a four-digit serial number by the rail operator Rapid KL. A complete six-car trainset consists of four trailer (T) and two driving motor (Mc) cars permanently coupled together. For example, set 301 consists of carriages 3011, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015 and 3016.

• The first digit is always a 3 or 4.
• The second and third digits identify the set number.
• The fourth digit identifies the car number, where the first car has a 1, and the last car has a 6.
• CSR Zhuzhou built sets 301 – 450.

The LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines are equipped with the Thales SelTrac Communications-based train control (CBTC) signaling system, and the iVENCS Control Systems.[https://www.eurotransportmagazine.com/8508/news/thales-awarded-the-contract-to-upgrade-kuala-lumpur-ampang-line-to-fully-automated-cbtc-signalling/ Thales awarded the contract to upgrade Kuala Lumpur Ampang line to fully automated CBTC signalling][http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/signalling/thales-to-supply-cbtc-for-kls-ampang-line.html Thales to supply CBTC for KL's Ampang Line][http://www.asl-control.co.uk/kelana-jaya-line-extension-opens/ Kelana Jaya Line Extension Opens]{{Cite web|url= https://www.railway-technology.com/uncategorised/newsthales-install-cbtc-signalling-kuala-lumpurs-ampang-line/|title= Thales to install CBTC signaling on Kuala Lampur's Ampang Line{{!}} Railway Technology|website= www.railway-technology.com/|language=en|access-date=26 March 2019}}

The operations are controlled at the Ampang Operational and Control Centre, with two depots located at Ampang on the LRT Ampang Line and Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru on the LRT Sri Petaling Line.

There were three major incidents since the opening in 1996.

On {{Start date and age|2006|10|27|df=y}} at 7:11am, a six-coach Adtranz LRT train which came in from Ampang overshot the end of the elevated tracks at the end of the stabling tracks at Sentul Timur station, resulting in the front half of the set 1113 dangling in the air about 25 m above the ground. A lone driver was the only one on board when the incident took place. Only Sentul Timur endured service disruption for 20 minutes that day.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-24|title=Train overshoots LRT terminal and is left dangling {{!}} The Star|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/10/28/train-overshoots-lrt-terminal-and-is-left-dangling/|access-date=2021-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524141520/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/10/28/train-overshoots-lrt-terminal-and-is-left-dangling/|archive-date=24 May 2021}}

On {{Start date and age|2008|9|24|df=y}} at 6:30pm, two LRT trains collided about 200m from Bukit Jalil station. A carriage of one of the trains involved in the accident hit the rear of the other train, resulting the suspension of the operation on that day. Six passengers were injured in this accident.{{Cite web|date=2017-08-01|title=Six injured in LRT accident - Nation {{!}} The Star Online|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/09/25/six-injured-in-lrt-accident/|access-date=2021-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801210009/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/09/25/six-injured-in-lrt-accident/|archive-date=1 August 2017}}

File:Kinked track under maintenance near Bandaraya LRT Station (230709) 01.jpg]]

File:Masjid Jamek LRT Station - LRT Sri Petaling Line under maintenance (230402) 03.jpg is the starting point of LRT replacement bus]]

{{multiple image

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|image1 = PY17 Titiwangsa MRT Lay-by Area 20230427 114541.jpg

|image2 = Titiwangsa MRT Station layby (230402) 05.jpg

|footer = Replacement bus service at Titiwangsa Station

}}

On 27 January 2023, a kinked track as well as cracked viaduct and pier was found near Bandaraya LRT station, and the route between Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek LRT station is closed temporarily for safety reasons.{{cite news |title=Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT service disrupted over safety concerns |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/01/873887/ampang-sri-petaling-lrt-service-disrupted-over-safety-concerns |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=New Straits Times |date=27 January 2023}} Free shuttle buses are provided in the affected stations. Investigations found out that it was caused by the construction of a 44-storey hotel nearby. It is expected to take up to seven months to repair.{{cite news |title=At least seven months to repair Masjid Jamek LRT stretch, says Transport Minister |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/22/at-least-seven-months-to-repair-masjid-jamek-lrt-stretch-says-transport-minister |work=The Star |date=22 February 2023 |language=en}} However, the repair works have been extended after several other damages have been detected in two other nearby viaducts.{{cite news |title=Ampang/Sri Petaling line service to resume Feb 2024 |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/960352/ampangsri-petaling-line-service-resume-feb-2024 |access-date=6 November 2023 |work=New Straits Times |date=27 September 2023}}

Six stations from Sentul Timur to Bandaraya are closed from 2 April 2023, as the trains used no longer meet the operational criteria, and was unable to return to the depot at Ampang for maintenance, therefore the affected route cannot be operated for safety reasons.{{cite news |title=Six stations on Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT line closed from Sunday |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/894712/six-stations-ampang-sri-petaling-lrt-line-closed-sunday |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=New Straits Times |date=30 March 2023}} Six stations resumed operations from 12 May 2023, while tracks between Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek stations remain closed.{{cite news |title=LRT service at six stations to resume Friday |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/908143/lrt-service-six-stations-resume-friday |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=New Straits Times |date=11 May 2023}}

Revised service are as follows:

27 January 2023 — 2 April 2023

• Trains from Ampang and Putra Heights will terminate at Hang Tuah.
• Shuttle train between Hang Tuah and Masjid Jamek.
• Trains from Sentul Timur will terminate at Bandaraya, with 24 minute frequency.
• Replacement bus between Hang Tuah and Bandaraya, stopping at every stations (LRT9)
• Replacement bus between Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya, stopping at every stations (LRT10)
• Replacement bus between Sentul Timur and Bandaraya, stopping at every stations except Sultan Ismail (LRT11)

2 April 2023 — 12 May 2023

• Trains from Ampang and Putra Heights will terminate at Hang Tuah.
• No train service between Sentul Timur and Masjid Jamek.
• Shuttle train between Hang Tuah and Masjid Jamek.
• Replacement bus between Sentul Timur and Masjid Jamek, stopping at every stations except Sultan Ismail (LRT11)
• Replacement bus between Masjid Jamek, Sentul and Sentul Timur, express bus without stopping at stations in between (LRT 13)
• Replacement bus between Masjid Jamek and Titiwangsa, express bus without stopping at stations in between (LRT 14)

12 May 2023 — 31 January 2024

• Trains from Ampang and Putra Heights will terminate at Hang Tuah.
• Shuttle train between Hang Tuah and Masjid Jamek.
• Trains from Sentul Timur will terminate at Bandaraya, with 6 minute frequency for peak hour or 8 minutes frequency for non-peak hour.
• Replacement bus between Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya, stopping at every stations (LRT10)

1 February 2024 — 16 February 2024

• Trains from Ampang and Putra Heights will terminate at Masjid Jamek.
• Trains from Sentul Timur will terminate at Bandaraya.
• Replacement bus between Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya, stopping at every stations (LRT10)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170811230216/http://www.spad.gov.my/ Land Public Transport Commission]
• [http://www.prasarana.com.my/ Prasarana Malaysia Berhad]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061004043621/http://rapidkl.com.my/ RapidKL]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717081351/http://www.kvmrt.com.my/ Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Project]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140516204052/http://klmrt.com.my/ KL Mass Rapid Transit (KLMRT) Line Integrations]

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20161021133938/http://www.spad.gov.my/sites/default/files/gkl_klv_integrated_transit_map.jpg The official Greater KL / Klang Valley Integrated Transit Map]

{{Rail transport in Malaysia}}

{{Klang Valley train stations}}

{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN}}

Category:1996 establishments in Malaysia

Category:Railway lines opened in 1996

Category:750 V DC railway electrification