The KTM Komuter Blues

KTMB just received 6 sets out of 38 new electric train sets this year. This train set ,or the techies called as the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) was manufactured by CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd (CSR ZELC) and the remaining 32 sets is expected to arrive and fully utilised by KTMB by this June. Kinda nice looking machine, actually.

So, how much is this new toy cost to our national train company? according to our Minister, the total 38 train sets cost RM1.89billion which will include maintenance, repair and overhaul expenses. The duration of the 'warranty' is not mentioned in the report.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/7/25/nation/9141595&sec=nation#13117365606341&if_height=629

I got the opportunity to ride this new set on morning April 6th . I had a meeting with friends at SME Corp and since they moved to their new office in KL Sentral which is the Main Hub of the city's public transportation, it seems that i don't have any valid reason to drive there. Once aboard the new train, i straightly attracted to several small flat screens (about 10 inch) , repeatedly showing the manufacturer's (CSR) corporate video. Eventually, it should attract any potential brands or companies to advertise on the screen since the AV system is good, with clear sound and crystal view but the location of the screens itself , is not visible enough for the passengers. Personally for me, the best location for Ads Screen/Display in busses or trains is always hanging from the ceiling.

The modern interior mostly in white, is neat and well-assembled. The chairs looks durable enough to withstand the vandals and it is a quiet ride. No sound of iron bangs or some electrical-shockwave effects like we used to hear in the old sets. Or maybe, because it is still new?

So, my personal observation for the 1st impression of the new train sets ; it is worth the cost.

Anyway, the cost doesn't bothered me because i think KTMB deserved to get new fleet of EMUs for its Komuter service , a decade ago. As a former Komuter's user, i shared this joy since i myself experienced the horror of waiting , boarding and departing of the old train sets. I also believed that , KTMB is 'super rich' enough to buy new toy and dispose the old sets because of the millions of commuters use the service everyday and the company already saved a lot of money as they frequently skip the MROs (maintenance, repair and overhaul) of the old sets( that's what one guy told me before).

And it doesnt bothered me if this EMUs deal is also another 'dubios purchase' that benefits certain people who involved in its procurement. Why should i be bothered about that? KTMB is declared as a 'Corporate Entity' since 1992 and it is one of the GLCs that have the most potentials to be privatize and to grow. So, i should regard KTMB as a 'Private Corporation' that profits and runs on its own money which came from the customers who use the service provided. In respect of that, i do expected their management and staff to have so-called 'Private Corporation' mindset where they focus more on customer centric and customer satisfaction.

So what really-really bothered me was, despite getting the new train sets, KTMB seems ignored (or forgot) to improve the fundamental of the service; The Ticketing . I was at KL Sentral ,on my way back from the meeting and i saw one long -curvy queue at the ticket counter. The lady in front of me said , the good-old ticket vending machine is broke down, again. The interesting part is, the machine is the one and only KTM Komuter ticket vending machine to serve the whole passengers in that grand station which connected to various town and cities, from KL to Klang, to Seremban, to Ipoh.

And the 'best part' is , only 1 manual ticket counter are open which caused that long curvy queue i mentioned before. When i finally got my turn at the counter, the ticket girl welcomes me with mumble or some words which i dont even know whether she is mad at me and the rest of the people waiting for the tickets ,or is she mad with that poor ticket machine?. Or perhaps, she is blaming the customers for all the problems and the faulty that happened in her company?

THAT BLOODY MALAYSIAN!!

Hierarchy Of Seats Theory

I received a chained email from a good friend of mine today and it reminds me of my own experience riding in Rapid KL Buses , the LRTs and also the good ol' KTM Komuter train. So, here goes:..

Salam & Hello friends,

I snaped this photo on Monday 6th April 6.30pm, in Komuter from KL
Central. It's happen I had to take Komuter on that day. I think this is my 3rd or4th time ride in Komuter.

Obviously you can see a lady carrying her kid ,STANDING nearby the main door. Her kid is sleeping. And please have a good look at those 4 ladies..sitting and pretending they didn't see the
mother with baby!
The woman in brown baju kurung is sleeping (I can forgive her la...after
few stations only she woke up..) the girl in long hair just sit there
busy SMSing, the lady in headphone finally offered her seat only after 15-20
minutes (or maybe after she realised I took their photo). And paling
sakit hati...the lady in red t-shirt just buat2 tak tau..or pretending she
didn't
see the mother with baby..after the lady in blue T offered her seat, the
lady in red shirt looks relief and try to give manja look at the
sleeping baby.
What is this??? STUPIDITY, IGNORANCE, SELFISH, SNOB..
This thing happen because WE allow it to happen.
For those who never/seldom ride in Komuter, LRT, or other public
transport..this is real. Be grateful that you are not one of them who
have to use public transport. Even looking at it make you feel sad and mad.
For those who are using public transport..don' t allow this to happen.
Make effort to offer your seat or to ask people who is sitting (if they
are fit!) to offer their seat.

Rgds,
Be a better Malaysian!

This is not the 1st time. I saw alot of young and fit Malaysian (especially KLites!) are so reluctant to offer their seats to those in need especially pregnant moms and senior citizens. They're so protective over their seat and it's like having a gold plate sticking to their big golden butt.So, they must ensure their butts are safe.

I was a frequent commuters before and I formulated a simple theory for this and i called it as K-E 's Hierarchy of Seat Theory. In my theory, seats in public transportations is like an organizational chart or even like a food-chain. The top of the list are the priority to sit, and guess who are supposed to be the last to be seated?

1) Pregnant Moms
2) The Disabled
3)The Senior Citizens-Female
4) The Senior Citizens- Male
5) Woman with little-children (like the picture above)
6) Young Woman and ladies.

and finally, the last species to have their seats are:...

7) Young Men,Boys or guys...
..who are supposed to be fit and the strongest among all. Who can endure the pain and the agony of standing in a long journey. Who feel honoured to give what he have (e.g the seat) to those in the list above and proudly said, " ..It's ok, I am a man.."

Anyway, it is the appropriate time to apply our MALE EGO at the right place and to the right people. The honourable feeling is there for you to celebrate,just because you gave your seat to an elderly woman. Trust me. I've been there and done that!!

You still don't understand the Hierarchy of Seats Theory? Just simply look for a pictorial signage in LRTs or Komuter Train which said ,"..Please Give Seat to: Pregnant Mothers, The Disabled and The Elderly.."
Get it?..It is so simple and not a Rocket Science at all.

So, no one ask us to be an angel or a saint . Just being nice and courteous to our own community is already enough.

THAT BLOODY MALAYSIAN!!!

Be Smarter with Malaysian Taxis (edited)

A las,I found a really usefull 'guide' for Malaysian taxi users.Im not an ardent fan of KL Cab but we cannot avoid to use them during 'emergency time' and since KL is not a well-equipped-linked city that have other alternatives for public transports,i guess the best way is to be smart with these bloody cabs.


Be Smarter with Malaysian Taxis (edited)
Posted by Mlle Linie ( taken from Mindful Trinkets)

Before I had my MyVi, I took public transport to work. Being in public practice, it was a great hassle to me, considering that my clients are everywhere from Cyberjaya to KLCC. Late working nights didn't help me either.

After two years of taking taxis to head home, I learnt a few things about Malaysian Taxis (especially KL ones).

Lesson 1: Some taxis cheat the meters
If the taxi driver press the aircond button: from on to off and on again, he/she is accelerating the meter. Some pressed the radio buttons the same way.

The buttons are linked to meter accelerators, usually located underneath the dashboard (if you are (un)lucky to see one). If you caught them using accelerators, it's your call to take the cab or not.

Lesson 2: Some taxis are cut throats
Never take idle taxis in front of KLCC bus stop. Always hail for those who are actually dropping customers. The touting ones will charge you RM10 from KLCC to Bukit Bintang. Worse still RM30 from KL to Damansara (metered fare is usually around RM15-RM17).

Foreigners get this treatment very often, so my advice to foreigners is try to blend into the local scenario as much as you can. Wearing baju melayu/kurung is a good idea. :D

Lesson 3: Some taxis just won't take you in
The worst time to catch a cab is during peak hours. During these times, taxi drivers are picky about where they are willing to go.

If you have been turned down by a few taxis, forget about getting one. Instead, take the LRT, commuter or bus or extend your shopping spree until peak hours are over. :)

Lesson 4: Some taxis are nice
If you like the taxi driver, get his/her number, especially useful if you are a regular. Call them when you need to go long distances such as the airport.

Lesson 5: Some taxis car pool
My advice is - get in at your own risk.

Back then, I didn't usually join the taxi pool unless I was desperate. Normally, I'd first see if the passengers looked like decent people. After I finally decided to get into one, I applied lesson no. 7 more rigourously.

Lesson 6: Kereta sewa are NOT the same as budget (red and white) taxis
Kereta sewa charges you higher, especially when you are desperate. They don't usually use meters.

Lesson 7: Finally, safety first
If you have no choice but take a cab late at night, call your parents/spouse/friends while you are GETTING INTO* or IN THE CAB*. Tell them the 3 digit taxi code and the taxi company name (e.g. Supercab, Sunlight, Saujana Taxi etc). The 3 digit taxi code is usually displayed on a windscreen sticker.

If the cab is not attached to any taxi company (i.e. individual taxis**), give details - name of the driver (displayed at front) and the plate number.

Why the 3 digit code? Taxi companies' phone operators do not track their taxi drivers using number plates. Instead they use the 3 digit code. If anything happened to you, God Forbid, it's easier for your parents/spouse/friends to find you because the operators are able to find out the driver details using the 3 digit code.

They can still find you using number plates, only that the process is slower as they can only check with admin during office hours.

*: Just so you can psycho the driver in case he/she was thinking anything funny.

**: Some individual taxis are attached to Supercab, Sunlight etc to get customers. They pay operator services rental every month. Check out for the sticker to be sure.

So there. I hope you'll beat the smarter taxis by being smarter yourselves. :)

http://norlinie.blogspot.com/2008/11/be-smart-with-malaysian-taxis.html

K-E: Well, ..That Bloody Malaysian (..taxi)!!

The RAHMAN Prophecy

So, this March, The RAHMAN Prophecy will prove its truth.For Malaysian, some of us know what is this prophecy all about.But for those who don't know , it is a prediction of who is going to be next Prime Minister of Malaysia.It was triggered by the 1st Prime Minister's name ,Tuanku Abdul Rahman and then lead to the mysterious legacy that no one can explained.All the previous Prime Minister's successors had the 1st letter in their name that connected the word R.A.H.M.A.N.

1)Tuanku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (1st Prime Minister 1957 - 1971)

2)Tun Abdul Razak (2nd Prime Minister 1971 - 1976)

3)Tun Hussein Onn (3rd Prime Minister 1976 - 1981)

4)Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed (4th Prime Minister 1981 - 2003)

5)Datuk Seri Haji Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (5th Prime Minister -Current-2003 - 2009)

6)Dato Seri Najib Abdul Razak (6th Prime Minister -Designate-2009 - )

So, since we know who is in the last letter, can we predict the next PM after Najib?I met some people who said, the prophecy is now completed and 'case is closed'.Yet, some creative people do think that the prophecy is not yet finished its cycle.From the last 'N' , the prophecy will then continue backwards which is A.M.H.A.R.

And other creative people prophecize that a new prophecy will arise : N.A.J.I.B.

I don't know how accurate is the NAMHAR or NAJIB prophecy because it only started (yet!) with the letter 'N' but both have one interesting similarity . Both prophecies have the 2nd letter of 'A'.

So, your guess? who will be in the next letter 'A'?

Anwar Ibrahim ,perhaps? well,who know.Maybe..

A Re-start

I seriously need to re-start this blog.Make something productive over it.

Got a lot of ideas and also EXCUSES..

Malaysian Kena Tipu

I got a forwarded email from a friend in Bahasa. Really interesting and kinda disgusting...

Rakyat M'sia makan sisa tong sampah?? (KISAH BENAR)
08/05/2008 02:38 PM

Berhati-hati, biar mahal sikit tp bersih...!!!!


amenda nih... ?? dah lah datang 'merempat' kat tempat owang...
buat 'kuang ajar' camnih.... !!??
'edisi siasat' ker.. '360' ker.. minat tak citer camnih ??...

Peniaga Myanmar tunjuk belang

SELAYANG: Walaupun baru diserbu lima hari lalu, peniaga haram warga Myanmar
yang menjajah Pasar Borong Selayang di sini, kembali 'garang'
apabila mengacukan pisau ke arah seorang pemandu kereta yang tidak
sengaja melanggar barang jualan mereka.
Dalam kejadian jam 8.30 pagi semalam, seorang peniaga Myanmar dikatakan
menunjukkan pisau pemotong sayur kepada seorang kerani sebuah syarikat
pencetakan yang ketika itu melalui kawasan tepi pasar borong untuk
menuju tempat kerja.
Mangsa yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Faridah, 25, berkata ketika itu
dia memandu Perodua Kancil cuba melepasi kawasan pasar berkenaan yang
sesak dengan peniaga terbabit di bahu jalan.
Menurutnya, dia tidak sengaja terlanggar bakul jualan milik peniaga
terbabit menyebabkan ia terbalik.
'Saya tidak sengaja, namun lelaki Myanmar berusia 30-an itu mengetuk
cermin tingkap saya sambil menunjukkan pisau.
'Tindakannya benar-benar memeranjatkan saya kerana kesalahan itu
berpunca daripada tindakan mereka sendiri yang menghadang laluan jalan
dengan meletakkan pelbagai jenis sayur di bahu jalan sehingga
menyebabkan jalan raya sesak,' katanya.
Menurutnya, dia bernasib baik kerana pantas beredar dari kawasan itu
walaupun cermin keretanya diketuk.
Sementara itu, seorang peniaga tempatan yang hanya ingin dikenali
sebagai Bakri, 41, bimbang dengan kemunculan kumpulan peniaga samseng
warga Myanmar itu yang terus bermaharajalela walaupun operasi
besar-besaran sudah dilakukan minggu lalu.
Menurutnya, dalam operasi malam Sabtu lalu, lebih 500 warga Myanmar yang
tidak mempunyai dokumen perjalanan sah diberkas Rela dan Jabatan
Imigresen.
'Namun, saya pelik bagaimana bilangan mereka langsung tidak menunjukkan
tanda berkurangan, malah semakin berani berniaga secara terbuka,'
katanya.
Bakri berkata, kehadiran pendatang asing itu turut mengakibatkan
kesesakan lalu lintas kerana mereka menghalang kenderaan keluar masuk
dengan meletakkan barang jualan di atas jalan dengan beralaskan raga dan
plastik nipis.
'Apa yang saya nampak, mereka (peniaga Myanmar ) gemar mengutip
sayur-sayuran dari tong sampah sebelum dijual semula kepada orang
ramai,' katanya.
Malah, lebih memburukkan keadaan, kebanyakan pelanggan di kalangan
penduduk tempatan yang tidak mengetahui taktik licik peniaga terbabit.
Biasanya warga Myanmar terbabit mengutip sayuran terbuang itu seawal jam
3 pagi dan dilakukan secara berkumpulan untuk memudahkan operasi mereka.
'Sambutan daripada masyarakat tempatan amat menggalakkan kerana mereka
biasanya mula menjalankan perniagaan selepas pasar ditutup,' katanya.
Sementara itu tinjauan Harian Metro di pasar berkenaan mendapati peniaga
terbabit menggeledah sampah-sarap dilonggokkan dalam tong sampah bagi
mencari sayuran yang boleh dijual.
Selepas puas hati dengan hasil yang diperoleh, mereka kemudian membawa
sayur-sayuran terbuang itu ke kawasan tersorok untuk dibersihkan sebelum
dijual.
Sementara itu, Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS), Zainal
Abidin Azim, ketika diminta mengulas perkara itu berkata, dalam beberapa
siri pemeriksaan dan serbuan, peniaga terbabit segera melarikan diri
sehingga sanggup meninggalkan barang jualan mereka.
'Peniaga haram Myanmar itu tidak mementingkan barangan jualan mereka
kerana ia diperoleh secara percuma (dari tong sampah), malah kerugian
yang ditanggung juga sifar,' katanya.
Menurutnya, kumpulan terbabit juga sering bergaduh sesama sendiri kerana
berebut tapak jualan yang terhad di bahu jalan sempit yang sentiasa
sibuk dengan kenderaan lalu lalang,' katanya.


Warmest regards,
Candy

Why the hell we keep buying things from these immigrants???

So,..the conclusions that we can get from of the email are:

1) Malaysian really love to buy 'cheap' things and we wont really bother to check 'why it is cheap'?.

2) Malaysian are being soo nice to these ungrateful immigrants that they can kick our back .

3) Malaysian Law and Regulations Enforcement are just a laughing stock to these despicable immigrants.

4) Malaysian Municipal Councils (In this case, Selayang Municipal Councils) only know how to act and oppresed fellow Malaysian but they don't have the balls to take action on these immigrants.Or maybe they just being corrupted...llike always..

Any other conclusions?..please add on..

well..

That Bloody Malaysian!!!.(kena tipu maa..)

" Bangau Oh Bangau"

I carpool with my officemates to work but KTM Komuter is also part of my mode of transportation. The rendezvous point is at Padang Jawa KTM Station and today,this morning while waiting for the train, a bilingual announcement was on the air which sounds sort of like this:

" Selamat pagi tuan-tuan dan puan-puan.Disebabkan masalah teknikal, tren komuter ke Pelabuhan Klang akan mengalami kelewatan. Harap maaf.."

( Good morning, ladies and gentleman. Train to Port Klang will be delayed because of technical problem.Our apology)

Wa lau weh!! the KTM Komuter is late ,again. Not surprised but kinda pissed off like always.

So, this frenzy over KTM lateness always makes me soo gatal (ithcy) to smoke (Yeah, instead of reading) . Since waiting for KTM Komuter can be a stressful and 'heavy' task , i guess it wont hurt to smoke because you can even finish the whole pack if you are waiting for their service . So, i move a bit to the edge and without any much concern , i lit up one fine Marlboro. Just after a poof, i heard someone greeted me with Selamat Pagi at the back. It was one of the station crew ,with KTM's blue uniform.

" Encik, maaf,..Sini tak boleh merokok.Satu stesen tak boleh . Kami dah letak papantanda tu"

(Sorry, Mister,..smoking is not allowed here. Not allowed at this station. We already put the signboard)

and all i can say was," oh..um...ok..sorry bang, sorry.." and nervously butting out the cigarette in the bin. He just smiled and went back to the office or the control centre ( i think) and 45 minutes after that, that famous bilingual announcement was in the air again: ( which is not really exactly sounds like below)

" Selamat Pagi tuan-tuan dan puan-puan yang dihormati sekalian. Tren ke Pelabuhan Klang akan tiba sebentar lagi. Para penumpang diminta menjaga keselamatan barangan anda dan berhati-hati dengan penyeluk saku. kami juga minta bekerjasama dari anda untuk tidak merokok di kawasan stesen dan juga di dalam tren. Terima Kasih"

(Good Morning ladies and gentlemen. Train to Pelabuhan Klang will be arriving shortly. Please take care of your belongings and becareful of pickpockets. We also ask for your cooperation for not smoking in the station area and also inside the train.Thank you.)

I am sure the last part of the announcement was meant for me because i rarely (never!) heard the no-smoking announce before this at the station. padan muka aku!!

"..They are soo quick and soo fast to caught me smoking but yet still soo slow in the service!!!" i yelled,but in my head only la..

Anyway , that's not the real issue. I just want to have the excuse for myself smoking in public and point the blame to KTM. If the train can arrive early, i wont smoke at the station. Just like Malaysian politician will do and just like the old malay folk songs " Bangau Oh Bangau" where everyone blame others for own failures.

The real issue here is , how i couldn't see that big 'NO SMOKING' Signboard on the wall as a real warning for not-to-smoke in that station? or maybe i was soo adapted to Malaysian's culture of 'tak kisah' (dont care) even we can see a big signboard said 'No Smoking' or 'No Litter'??

That Bloody Malaysian!!!