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KTMB would be offering non-stop train services for four days and three nights in conjunction with Thaipusam, starting from Feb 7 at 5.45am and ending on Feb 10 at 9.36pm.

KTMB operations control head Mohd Zain Mat Taha said there will be an additional platform at the Batu Caves KTM Station and offer a dedicated shuttle service in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves this week.

“Platform 2 will serve as a platform for the dedicated Komuter shuttle service between Batu Caves and Sentul”.

“This platform will be opened for the first time to ensure better crowd control and passenger safety, as it includes a dedicated pathway to the Batu Caves temple. Platform 1 will continue to be used for normal service.”

“We are offering 310 additional Komuter rail services for Thaipusam this year, including a dedicated shuttle service between Batu Caves and Sentul with a 30-minute frequency,” he said.

“The public is encouraged to use this shuttle service to reduce long waits and large crowds.

“In addition, the normal Komuter service to and from the Batu Caves KTM Station will be increased and operation hours extended.

“This involves only the routes between Seremban and Batu Caves as well as Port Klang and KL Sentral,” said Mohd Zain, adding that there would be no additional services for the Tanjung Malim- Segambut route.

“There will also be a special bus service for passengers travelling between Sentul KTM Station and KL Sentral. The fare is RM1 per adult, while concession ticket holders ride for free.”

He said cashless payment via Touch n Go and Komuter Link cards could be used during the Thaipusam festive period, while cash payments would only be accepted for concession fares offering a 50% discount for children up to age six, senior citizens and the disabled.“By going cashless and giving advance notice, we are hoping that this will ease the crowd queueing up at the ticketing counters,” said Khair.

A total of 24 KTM stations will be open for 24 hours during the Thaipusam festive period, including Batu Caves, Taman Wahyu, Kampung Batu, Batu Kentonmen, Sentul, Putra, Bank Negara, Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral, Seremban, Nilai, Kajang, Bandar Tasik Selatan, Shah Alam, Klang and Port Klang.

Those who use Grab e-hailing service will be given RM5 discount on the fare to and from selected KTM stations when they use the promo code KTMBC2020 from Feb 7 to 9.

Speaking during a press conference on the additional KTM Komuter service, Mohd Zain said some 60,000 passengers were expected to use the Komuter service during the Thaipusam festive period in view of Visit Malaysia 2020.

Asked if KTMB was taking precautionary measures due to the coronavirus outbreak, he said: “We are in touch with the Health Ministry on the situation. We also have volunteer teams on standby, including St John Ambulance personnel, to assist.

“We advise passengers to use the MyRail Time app, call KTMB’s hotline or visit our social media sites to get updates on our services.”

For details, call the 24-hour hotline at 03-2267 1200, visit http://www.ktmb.com.my or go to facebook.com/ktmberhad.