In an unconventional move to accelerate a critical rail refurbishment, Malaysian authorities drastically cut train services on a busy commuter corridor, a gambit the transport minister says is paying off with a key section now set to reopen by the end of March.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Subang Jaya-Klang stretch of the Klang Valley Double Track Phase 2 (KVDT2) project is on track for a first-quarter completion after the government decided last year to completely close the line. Currently, to maximize construction time, Komuter trains only run in one direction during peak hours—from Klang to the capital in the morning, and the reverse in the evening—based on data showing 90% of rush-hour travel follows that pattern.

"The whole idea is to expedite the construction process so that the project can be completed sooner," Loke told a press conference. Services now run at 30-minute intervals during these limited windows and are suspended for most of the day.

While this targeted section nears completion, Loke noted the entire KVDT2 project, extending to Seremban, will still take several more years to finish. The rehabilitation of the aging double-track system is crucial for improving the reliability and frequency of rail services in Malaysia's most populous urban region.

Separately, the minister addressed the persistent issue of cable theft plaguing rail networks, stating that high-level discussions with police are underway. "Stern and proactive measures will be implemented," he said, targeting identified hotspot areas to curb the costly disruptions.Editor/Cao Tianyi