KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up from Sungai Buloh to Rawang

I had wanted a short joyride on the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector after a day of MRT and LRT rides, so I thought that a short hop to Rawang would be fine after some rides on the MRT Putrajaya Line. Little did I know what I thought was a simple 1-hour extension or so would end up being a 3-hour round trip due to domino delays and weather conditions.

Sungai Buloh Railway Station

I arrived at Sungai Buloh Railway Station by MRT Putrajaya Line since there are almost no KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector train services from KL Sentral during the day.

Heading through the ticket gates.

Signs point to Platform 2 on the left for the Sungai Buloh-Tanjung Malim Shuttle Train which my next schedule train was.

However, Platform 2 was very closed.

As such, I headed down to Platform 1 where all train services are consolidated.

Heading on to Platform 1 on the wrong bound which is right.

The information screen is no longer in operation, replaced with a piece of paper and QR code to scan for train information instead.

My KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up was supposed to depart at 3.15pm, formed from the arriving KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2335dn which was supposed to arrive at 3.05pm, and I continued waiting many minutes after 3.15pm for the 2335dn‘s impending arrival. I knew the ETS Gold 9028up was arriving after the 2336up at 3.29pm, so I put my hopes in the 2335dn still arriving before that with just a slight delay of a few minutes.

ETS Gold 9028up

Alas, my short joyride to Rawang was not meant to be short, and the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up was definitely further delayed with the arrival and departure of ETS Gold 9028up. A platform announcement from TCCC also informed passengers that the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2335dn was still at Kuang.

Kuang kuang kuang.

Too bad this isn’t the UK when I can just hop on any train within the contactless area without a seat reservation as long as the train stops at my destination. I could only watch as the on-time-ish ETS Gold 9028up depart for Rawang.

Sungai Buloh Railway Station

The KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2335dn finally arrived at Sungai Buloh Railway Station at 3.43pm – 38 minutes delayed.

This same train, 92 Class SCS32, will form my KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up.

Sigh this article wasn’t meant to be so detailed for a normally-19-minute-2-station ride. I thought I’d have just boarded the train and gone on with life considering that I made the effort to check the train timetable before arriving.

The route map of KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up.

The interior of 92 Class SCS32.

The bottom seat cushion on some longitudinal rows of seats have a new seat cover. However, the back seat cushion remains as original.

My KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up departed from Sungai Buloh Railway Station at 3.46pm – 31 minutes delayed.

Crossing over to the up main line after departing from Sungai Buloh Railway Station.

Kuang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kuang Railway Station.

The next stop is Rawang. That had been a long wait for a short ride.

Rawang Railway Station

Arriving at Rawang Railway Station.

My KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up arrived at Rawang Railway Station at 4.02pm – 28 minutes delayed. This train will continue on to Tanjung Malim Railway Station where it terminates.

The information screen is no longer in operation, replaced with a piece of paper and QR code to scan for train information instead.

Crossing the overhead bridge across the tracks to exit the station.

Heading out of Rawang Railway Station.

New fare gates are bring installed, hopefully with more payment options.

I had wanted to take a picture of the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector fare from Sungai Buloh to Rawang with the fare gate screen, but all screens on all gates were equally brown and opaque.

Anyway, the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector fare from Sungai Buloh to Rawang costs RM2.70 by Touch ‘n Go card.

Heading out of Rawang Railway Station by a detour.

Looks like the new fare gates will be in operation after October 2023 throughout the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector.

The temporary walkway leading in and out of is skirted around the construction site hoardings, but thankfully sheltered.

Seems like some major works are being done in front of Rawang Railway Station.

Conclusion

Sigh, this was a short joyride which I regretted doing, wasting the afternoon of my 1 full day in KL. After the 28-minute delay of my KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2336up and this last picture was taken, it started to rain which slowed down my walk/dash to Rawang Bus Terminal for some research.

When I ended up in Rawang Bus Terminal after letting the rain subside slightly, I found that there was no 4.15pm or 4.30pm bus to KL as shown on Moovit and Google Maps respectively, and the next bus to KL was at 5pm as posted on a piece of paper at Rawang Bus Terminal. By 4.30pm, it was also too late for me to walk back to Rawang Railway Station to catch the 4.34pm train to Sungai Buloh.

Just before 5pm, the drizzle turned into a full-fledged thunderstorm, still with no bus in sight. The next KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector train from Rawang to Sungai Buloh was at 5.49pm. So I just decided to get a Grab back to Sungai Buloh, which was then stuck in gridlocked traffic near Sungai Buloh due to flash floods.

I got back to KL at sunset.

If a joyride could already make me regret taking the train and experience so much inconvenience within a short (?) span of 3 hours, I pity the residents of Rawang who only has an infrequent KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector train service or 1 unreliable bus service to travel to KL daily. A one-way train ride normally takes 19 minutes. Perhaps the most disappointing part of the joyride which lasted 3 hours was to only end up with a Grab.

UPDATE: 8 April 2023 (KTM’s response)

KTM Berhad has reached out to me to explain the reason for the delay. I am very happy to know that KTM Berhad is actively monitoring the voices of customers and taking steps to reach out if there are issues faced.

8 April 2023

Sir/Madam,

KTMB RESPONSE TO ARTICLE “KTM KOMUTER KLANG VALLEY SECTOR 2336UP FROM SUNGAI BULOH TO RAWANG BY TRAIN”

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB) would like to thank and acknowledge the writer for the unpleasant experience during his journey from Sungai Buloh to Rawang with our KTM Komuter service on March 24, 2023. We wish to apologise for the discomfort encountered.

With regards to the train delay, we have identified the root cause and found that the delay was due to technical issue involving the brake system, which required a replacement train from Tanjung Malim. Nevertheless, our stations instantly broadcast an announcement and alerted all passengers about the delay to make sure they were aware of the situation.

Meanwhile with regards to the absence of KTM Komuter from KL Sentral to Sungai Buloh, we’d like to inform you on the non-availability of direct trains from the said stations during off-peak hours. However, we still have two (2) scheduled KTM Komuter services from Tanjung Malim to KL Sentral at 1105 hours and 1235 hours daily.

We also reviewed the feedback provided regarding the closure of Platform 2 and would like to clarify that the platform is currently only open for the shuttle services due to the upgrading of the Klang Valley Double Tracking (KVDT) project. These shuttle services are designed for short-distance travel to accommodate passengers traveling between Tanjung Malim to Sungai Buloh and vice versa.

As mentioned by the writer about the QR Codes signages, take note that this is a temporary solution to address the malfunction of the Passenger Information System (PIS) at our stations, and to ensure passengers are well-informed of the train schedules. At the same time we also encourage passengers to download KTMB MyRailtime application to obtain real-time train schedules before embarking their journey.

Rest assured that KTMB is also in the midst of upgrading the Automated Control Gate (ACG) service at our stations to a new system which will enhance the service and ensure smooth passenger journey in the future.

We appreciate the writer’s feedback, as it helps us improve our services.

Should the writer wish to get further information or assistance, the writer can contact our Call Centre at +603-22671200.

KTMB is committed to enhancing the quality and performance of our services and passengers’ experience and ensuring the satisfaction of our passengers remains our top priority.

Thank you.

Issued by Strategic Communications Department,
KERETAPI TANAH MELAYU BERHAD (KTMB)
8 April 2023

I know the reply has some discrepancies and isn’t perfect, but it’s still a positive step by KTM Berhad to reach out to an affected commuter. Hopefully, this is the way forward for KTM Berhad where while train services are currently severely reduced due to the KVDT project, passengers can at least rely on a timetable which the train will depart accordingly in future.