MAHB holds aerotrain contractors accountable after repeated service disruptions

• "All three incidents occurred within the defect liability period (DLP), during which the contractors are fully responsible for rectification, performance, and reliability," MAHB said, adding it has convened multiple joint technical meetings with both Alstom and IPJV’s senior management to identify contributing factors and expedite corrective measures.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said it is holding its contractors—Alstom and the IJM-Pestech Joint Venture (IPJV)—accountable, following a series of service disruptions involving the newly commissioned aerotrain system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.

According to MAHB in a statement on Wednesday, there have been three aerotrain incidents since the start of the service—on July 12, Sept 3, and Oct 15—where the train service was temporarily halted.

Nevertheless, no passengers missed their flights, as shuttle bus services were mobilised to assist affected passengers during the incidents.

"All three incidents occurred within the defect liability period (DLP), during which the contractors are fully responsible for rectification, performance, and reliability," MAHB said, adding it has convened multiple joint technical meetings with both Alstom and IPJV’s senior management to identify contributing factors and expedite corrective measures.

The incidents in July and September involved a loss of power caused by a dislodged current collector device, which affected the guideway’s power feed and caused the trains to stop, according to MAHB.

These operations fell under the scope of French multinational rail transport systems manufacturer Alstom, the aerotrain's main contractor that is responsible for the train and traction systems.

Preliminary findings from the incident in October pointed to a power trip affecting both guideways, which falls under the scope of works handled by IPJV, responsible for power distribution and installation works.

MAHB reiterated that it will be appointing an independent assessor for a comprehensive review of the aerotrain's system.

This will complement a review that MAHB is conducting into the service disruptions with the Ministry of Transport and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), it added.

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