MALAYSIA: Siemens Mobility announced today that it has been awarded a significant technical support and spares contract for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Kajang Line in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by the general contractor SMH Rail.
The planned maintenance comes after the line has been in operation for eight years and will run for a 40-month period.
Siemens Mobility will provide critical components, subsystems, technical supervision, and staff training to ensure efficient reconditioning and maintenance of the trains.
The reconditioning exercise aims to restore the trains to a condition close to their original state when they first began commercial operations in 2016. This effort is intended to increase the availability of trains, allowing the client to achieve shorter headways—the interval between trains—resulting in improved reliability and reduced waiting times for commuters.
Siemens Mobility Malaysia is tapping into the local talent pool, creating job opportunities, and providing training to the reconditioning contractor’s workforce. The training will cover Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities for metro trains, helping to build local expertise and support the long-term sustainability of Malaysia’s rail maintenance capabilities.
This contract builds on Siemens Mobility’s earlier involvement in the Klang Valley MRT Kajang Line, where it played a key role in designing the trains and supplying essential components, such as traction converters, train control systems, and bogies.
SMH Rail, a local consortium partner, was responsible for the local assembly under Siemens’ supervision.
This partnership is further strengthened through the current contract, which includes key experts from Siemens Mobility Thailand to optimize lead times and costs.
The project also incorporates sustainability measures. Siemens Mobility’s procurement processes emphasize environmentally conscious practices, and knowledge-sharing sessions are planned to help the reconditioning contractor adopt these measures where feasible.
Michel Obadia, CEO of Siemens Mobility Asia-Pacific, commented, “We are excited to transform the rail network of Kuala Lumpur with our cutting-edge rail technology and expertise, enabling continued reliable and efficient operations of the Kajang MRT Line. This contract will also allow us to further strengthen local competencies, providing long-term services that align with the Malaysian authority’s ambitions.”
Datuk PK Nara, Chairman and Managing Director of SMH Rail, stated, “Siemens Mobility’s proven capabilities and collaborative approach make them an ideal partner to jointly recondition the trains on our Kajang MRT Line. We look forward to working closely with their team to optimize the performance and lifespan of these important metro assets.”
The Klang Valley MRT project is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at alleviating severe traffic congestion in Greater Kuala Lumpur. The planned three-line mass rapid transit system will integrate with the region’s existing transit network, offering improved connectivity and more efficient public transport options.
First proposed in 2010 as part of Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme, the MRT project is seen as a key driver of urban mobility and economic growth.
Construction of the first line, the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line, began in 2011 and has since become a crucial component of Kuala Lumpur’s transport network.
