Rapid Rail operations chief Nor Azmi Yusof said the operator had begun implementing a “condition-based maintenance” approach, in which components that show signs of wear are replaced before reaching the manufacturer’s recommended replacement interval.

“The manual may say a component should be replaced after six months or one year. But because of the age of the trains, we are carrying out more frequent inspections.

“If we detect signs (of wear) on certain components within three months, then the components will be replaced,” he said in a media briefing today.

Nor Azmi said this was necessary to maintain the safe operation of the current trains until 26 new train sets arrive under a replacement programme already under way.

The first new train set is expected to arrive in 2029, with full replacement scheduled for completion by the end of 2030.

Nor Azmi said the disruptions were caused by a combination of ageing train components and temporary instability from ongoing system upgrades.

“When a system is being upgraded, it takes time to achieve stability,” he said.

He said passenger numbers had also increased amid concerns over fuel subsidies and higher commuting costs, although ridership recorded a slight decline following the implementation of work-from-home arrangements for civil servants.

Rapid Rail said the Kelana Jaya line currently records an average of 289,282 passengers on weekdays, representing an annual growth rate of about 11.5%.

“If we look at peak hours on weekdays, the average passenger load on the Kelana Jaya line reached 109% in 2026,” said Nor Azmi.