By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The promised completion of upgrading and repair works on the escalator at Ipoh Railway Station by April has yet to materialise, with the facility still undergoing refurbishment works as of mid-July.
A recent visit by Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic to the station found that work on the escalator upgrade was still ongoing, raising questions among commuters over when the facility will be fully operational again.
In a report published in January, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) said repair and upgrading works on the escalator at Ipoh Railway Station were progressing actively and were expected to be fully completed by April this year.
However, no official statement has been issued to date regarding the project’s latest progress or a revised completion timeline.
Passenger Ahmad Zariani Harun, 50, said the delay in completing the facility had significantly affected commuters, particularly senior citizens and travellers carrying heavy luggage.
He said the escalator serves as an important link for passengers arriving from Kuala Lumpur who need to cross to the station’s exit on the opposite side.
“The repair works were supposed to have been completed by April as previously announced, but until today, the escalator is still not fully operational.
“I have personally witnessed the difficulties faced by elderly passengers who have to climb the overhead bridge stairs while dragging large and heavy suitcases.
“Some of them are forced to stop midway across the bridge to rest because of exhaustion and their limited physical ability,” he said.
He expressed hope that the relevant authorities would take the matter seriously and expedite the repair works to ensure passengers’ comfort and convenience.
For the record, Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) is the agency responsible for administering, managing and maintaining railway assets owned by KTMB.
RAC also serves as the owner of railway assets, including Ipoh Railway Station, making it a key entity in the country’s rail transport ecosystem.
