KLIA Ekspres

The ERL KLIA Ekspres is an express airport rail link servicing the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Malaysia. It runs from KL Sentral, the main railway station of Kuala Lumpur to KLIA as well as its low-cost terminal, klia2.[2] The line is one of the two services on the Express Rail Link (ERL) system, sharing the same tracks as the KLIA Transit. The KLIA Transit stops at all stations along the line, whereas the KLIA Ekspres runs as a direct non-stop express service between KL Sentral and KLIA/klia2. The is operated by Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (ERL).

KLIA Ekspres
Overview
Native nameERL Laluan KLIA Ekspres
OwnerExpress Rail Link
Line number6 (purple)
LocaleKuala Lumpur - KLIA
Termini
Stations3
Service
TypeNon-stop direct airport rail link
SystemExpress Rail Link ERL
Operator(s)Express Rail Link
Rolling stock8 4-car Siemens Desiro ET 425 M Articulated EMU
2 4-car CRRC Changchun Equator Articulated EMU
Daily ridership6,015 (2018)[1]
Ridership2.2 million (2018)[1]
History
OpenedKL Sentral - KLIA
14 April 2002 (2002-04-14)
Last extensionKLIA - klia2
1 May 2014 (2014-05-01)
Technical
Line length57 km (35.4 mi)
CharacterMostly on surface
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC catenary
Conduction systemWith driver
Route map
5 8 9 Up arrow
 KL Sentral Parking
1210 6
5 9 Down arrow
Bandar Tasik Selatan
 Putrajaya & Cyberjaya
Kompleks Rel Udara Depot
 Salak Tinggi
Kuala Lumpur
International Airport
7
klia2
7

Interchange stations
integrated paid area
single fare trip
non-integrated paid area
multiple fare trips
interchange within same building
or cross-platform interchange
rapid transit
commuter rail

The line is one of the components of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System. It is numbered 6 and coloured purple on official transit maps.

Line information

KLIA Ekspres serves three stations. The service runs non-stop from KL Sentral to KLIA and klia2, skipping the three KLIA Transit stops in between.

Station Code Name Image Platform Type Notes
 KE1  KL Sentral
Terminal (Side) Northern terminus.

Common station with  KT1  ERL KLIA Transit.

Interchange station, without paid area integration, to:

 KE2  KLIA Terminal 1
Island Common station with  KT5  ERL KLIA Transit.
 KE3  KLIA Terminal 2
Terminus (Island) Southern terminus.

Common station with  KT6  ERL KLIA Transit.

At KL Sentral, the two platforms of the ERL are accessed from different parts of the station building. The KLIA Ekspres side platforms are accessed from the KL City Air Terminal (KL CAT) while the KLIA Transit island platform is accessed from the main Transit Concourse at Level 1. At KLIA T1 and T2, both KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit share the same island platform for both north-bound and south-bound trains.

At KLIA Terminal 1 station, KLIA Ekspres uses the same platform for Terminal 2- or city-bound trains. Displays are installed at the platform to indicate the travelling direction of the approaching train.

Extension
KLIA Ekspres train at Salak Tinggi depot.

A 2.14 km (1.33 mi) extension to the new terminal was completed in 2013. Commercial service began on 1 May 2014, when klia2 opened. Inter-terminal travel time from KLIA Main Terminal to the new terminal is 3 minutes with a fare of RM2.[3]

Rolling stock

Model
Manufacturer
No. of trains
  • 8 (Siemens Desiro)
  • 2 (CRRC Changchun Equator)
No. of cars
  • 2 propulsion cars
  • 2 passenger cars
Dimensions
  • Length - 68.7 m (225 ft 4+3⁄4 in)
  • Width - 2.84 m (9 ft 3+3⁄4 in)
  • Height - 4.16 m (13 ft 7+3⁄4 in)
Weight 120 Metric Tonnes
Electrical System Voltage 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Acceleration 1 m/s2 (3.3 ft/s2)
Top Speed 200 km/h (124 mph)
Commercial Top Speed 160 km/h (99 mph)
Axle arrangement Bo′(Bo)′(2)′(Bo)′Bo′
No. of passengers 156 seated
Tracks
  • Length - 57 km (35.4 mi)
  • Gauge - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

History

Accidents

On 24 August 2010, Express Rail Link suffered their first reported accident, in which 3 passengers were injured. Two ERL trains collided at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Of the trains involved one of them was about to depart at 9:45 pm for Kuala Lumpur International Airport while the other train, which was empty, rammed into its rear.[4][5]

Suspension in 2020 to 2022

On 4 April 2020, due to the Malaysian movement control order, which resulted in a significant reduction in ridership, all ERL rail services were temporarily suspended. Limited ERL services recommenced on 4 May 2020 with KLIA Transit service patterns.[6]

Again in Service

The (full) service was reopened on 3 January 2023.[7] For August of this year, a raise of the frequency on one train every 20 minutes, every day, was announced.[8]

Operations

Timetable

The KLIA Ekspres service officially began operations on 14 April 2002 connecting Kuala Lumpur with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The non-stop 57-kilometer journey takes around 28 minutes with trains departing at 15-minute intervals (until 2020) during peak hours and 20-minute intervals during off-peak hours.

  • First train: 05:00
  • Last train: 00:55
  • Peak Hours: 05:00 - 09:00 and 16:00 - 22:00
  • Off-Peak Hours: 09:00 - 16:00 and 22:00 - 00:55

Ticketing
KLIA Ekspres - KLIA 2.

Travellers from KL Sentral to KLIA and klia2 can purchase the tickets to board the KLIA Ekspres at the KL City Air Terminal (KL CAT) which is an integral part of the KL Sentral transport hub while travellers from KLIA and klia2 to KL Sentral must purchase their tickets before boarding in order to pass through the automated barriers at KL Sentral.

Ticketing is done either by automated ticketing machines or by ticketing staff at the stations. A one-way trip costs RM55 (increased from RM35 on 1 January 2016) from KL Sentral to KLIA/klia2 and vice versa.

The validity of purchased tickets is as follows:

  • Standard One-Way Ticket: 3 months
  • Standard Two-Way Ticket:
    • First trip - 3 months
    • Second trip - 3 months after the first trip

Electronic Payment

Passengers holding a Visa payWave credit card are able to use their cards at special fare gates when entering or leaving the pay area at all stations applicable to KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit.

All fare gates accept Touch 'n Go cards if the card contains sufficient funds. A minimum balance of RM20 is required. The automated fare collection (AFC) systems including high-speed fare gates (ACG), passenger service machine (PSM), MiFare smartcard tickets, Station Software and Central Management System (CMS) are provided by Longbow Technologies based in Malaysia.

Unfortunately, Touch 'n Go card users can no longer access the airline check-in counters at KL Sentral using their Touch 'n Go card, as of June 2015. While the Touch 'n Go card can still be used to board the KLIA Ekspres itself, passengers will need to check-in for their flights at KLIA instead.

Air travel facilities

On 13 July 2007, Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd, the operator of KLIA Ekspres, announced that from 23 July 2007 onwards, all 43 airlines serving KL International Airport may use the check-in facilities at KL CAT. However, As of 2016, only Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways and Royal Brunei Airlines flights may check-in at KL CAT before boarding the train.[9]

Passenger service and amenities
Interior of a typical KLIA Ekspres train

Passengers with laptops and smartphones have access to a high-speed internet connection free of charge through WiFi on board all KLIA Ekspres trains as well as on the station platforms. The service is powered by Yes 4G of Yes Communications, a subsidiary of the YTL Corporation which holds a 50% share over the train service.

A disabled-friendly unisex lavatory is available on board all KLIA Ekspres trains (except CRRC Changchun Equator EMUs). Restrooms are also located on the departure platform at KL Sentral. There are no restrooms on the KLIA boarding platform. Passengers waiting there are expected to use the restrooms on the main terminal's upper floor levels.

Connection to Subang Airport

The KLIA Ekspres (and KLIA Transit) interchanges with KTM's Skypark Link at KL Sentral, an airport-rail link serving the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport). This allows for a rail connection between KLIA, klia2 and Subang Airport.

Ridership
KLIA Ekspres Ridership[10]
Year Ridership Remarks
2021 53,434
2020 388,949
2019 2,156,302
2018 2,195,353
2017 2,275,650
2016 2,419,883
2015 3,470,710
2014 2,928,302
2013 2,063,419
2012 1,649,410
2011 1,581,476
2010 1,508,734
2009 1,419,827
2008 1,578,706
2007 1,780,384
2006 1,838,723
2005 1,604,404
2004 1,912,340
2003 1,697,574
2002 1,048,201 Operations began on 14 April 2002

On 19 September 2005, the company celebrated its 10 millionth passenger on the KLIA express. The 10 millionth passenger was Emylia Rosnaida who won a business class return trip to New York City from Kuala Lumpur.[11]

The 20 millionth passenger milestone was achieved on 12 December 2007 by Mr Sockalingam, which won economy class ticket to Dubai.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Statistic for Rail Transport" (in Malay and English). Ministry of Transport, Malaysia. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  2. "Our Services". Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  3. "Express Rail Link Extension to KLIA2". Archived from the original on 23 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  4. "2 ERLs crash at KL Sentral". Archived from the original on 26 September 2010.
  5. "2 ERLs crash at KL Sentral, 3 hurt". www.asiaone.com.
  6. Chua, Eddie (1 May 2020). "ERL to resume limited services starting May 4". The Star. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  7. https://paultan.org/2023/01/09/klia-ekspres-is-back-as-a-dedicated-non-stop-service-no-longer-combined-with-klia-transit-new-schedule/
  8. https://paultan.org/2023/07/26/klia-ekspres-train-frequency-raised-to-every-20-mins-from-august-1/
  9. Intelligence Railway Gazette International August 2007
  10. "Statistic of Rail Transport". Ministry of Transport (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  11. "KLIA Ekspres - The fastest way between KL Airport and KL City". Archived from the original on 1 June 2008.
  12. "KLIA Ekspres - The fastest way between KL Airport and KL City". Archived from the original on 30 December 2007.
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