KTM Class 93

The Class 93 is a type of electric multiple unit used by Keretapi Tanah Melayu for its intercity Electric Train Service (ETS). A total of 10 sets in 6-car formations have been built and delivered by CSR Zhuzhou of China, with 9 to follow. As per the technology exchange agreement, part of the consignment will be partially assembled in Batu Gajah, Malaysia.[2]

Class 93
ETS 203 KTM Class 93 at Pulau Sebang/Tampin Station.
In service2016
ManufacturerCSR Zhuzhou
Built atZhuzhou, China
Constructed2013 - 2018
Number in service72 cars (12 sets; first class : 10, second class : 2)
42 cars (7 sets on order)
Formation6 cars per trainset
Capacity320 (320 seats)[1]
Operator(s)Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Depot(s)Batu Gajah Rail Depot
Line(s) servedPadang Besar-Butterworth-Kuala Lumpur-Gemas Route
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train length140 m
Car length24 m (End cars)
23 m (Intermediate cars)
Width2,750 mm (108 in)
Height3,905 mm (153.7 in)
Floor height1,100 mm (43 in)
Doors2 single-leaf doors per side
Articulated sectionsNone
Wheel diameter850 mm
Maximum speed180 km/h (Design)
140 km/h (Service)
Weight258 t
Traction systemAC traction unit
Power output3,200 kW of power per unit
TransmissionElectric
Electric system(s)25 kV, 50 Hz overhead line
Current collection methodDouble-arm Z-shaped Pantograph
Braking system(s)Two-pipe regenerative break system
Safety system(s)ETCS, ATP
Coupling systemAAR couplers
Track gauge1000 millimetre gauge

The Class 93 ETS is utilised in the electrified section of the West Coast Line, from Gemas to Padang Besar. It has cut journey times significantly, covering Padang Besar from Kuala Lumpur within four hours and fifteen minutes, with 5 stops at hand, while the Kuala Lumpur-Penang leg can be covered within 3 hours.

Another 9 sets are on order and currently being delivered. They are branded as ETS 2, and offer a business class coach as well as a redesigned standard class accommodation.

Design

The KTM Class 93 is a custom built train engineered to high speed metre gauge operation. Dubbed the "Malaysian Bullet Train", or "Pocket Rocket", it features a streamline sloped head, with better aerodynamic efficiency relative to previous KTM rail classes. It is expected to be one of the fastest trains operating on metre gauge track. Relative to KTM standard meter gauge bogies, special higher strength materials were used in bogie construction. This is done in order to damp and sustain the higher stresses incurred by going at high speed over narrow gauge.

The train uses a standard light weight aluminum body. The train is capable of starting at 0.7 metres per second per second (140 ft/s/min), thus being able to accelerate from 0 to 160 km/h (99 mph) in two minutes. It is capable of stopping within a minute and half from a kilometer away (0.7 mile) at speed. The rail class also features standard safety systems such as a hotbox alarm system installation, horizontal stabilizer, vehicle health monitoring systems and other advanced safety equipment. Unlike the earlier KTM Class 91, the KTM Class 93 reportedly sources all its components from China, with the exception of the on-board equipment (such as is the ATP) which is sourced from the Chinese subsidiary of Bombardier.[3]

The mechanical and exterior design of the original Class 93/1 and the newer Class 93/2 are almost identical, the only difference being the exterior livery.

On-board service

Class 93/1
Standard Class interior on Class 93/1

Standard Class: The seats are arranged in a 2+2 fashion, and have blue seat covers and red headrests. The seats have amenities such as a power outlet and a tray table, typical of long distance trains. In addition to this, it also features standard intercity offerings such as luggage racks, a toilet and prayer area within the length of an individual 6-car set. It has gang-ways interconnecting each coach, allowing passengers unrestricted movement throughout the entire length of the train. Since these trains will operate in a tropical climate, they have over-head air-conditioning systems, providing temperature control, ventilation and dehumidification to maximise passenger comfort. The trains are also equipped with LTE-enabled WiFi throughout but currently it has not been turned on yet.[4]

Class 93/2
Standard Class interior on Class 93/2

Standard Class: The facilities are very similar to those offered on the first batch, with a few improvements. In addition to the transverse seating layout, there are cluster seats which face each other. Such seats have a table between them. The seats have grey seat covers and red headrests. Toilets have changing tables for infants.

Business Class interior on Class 93/2

Business Class: The Business class accommodation and service marks a step up from the standard class. In addition to the facilities already enjoyed in standard class, there are additional features otherwise not seen on the standard class. The seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration and are wider and able to recline up to 45 degrees. The seats can be rotated to face any direction. In addition to a power outlet, a USB port is provided. Each seat has its own on demand video screen for in-train entertainment. Wi-Fi is complimentary for business class passengers. Each coach has its own steward or stewardess, which the passenger can summon from his seat. On-board dining is included in the fare. Passengers are given their own amenity kit.

Testing and Commissioning

Before launch, all new train sets must undergo and pass compulsory testing, in this they are required to go 10,000 km without logging a single fault. The train set will undergo testing for its automatic train protection system (ATP), other components tested included the propulsion system, the brakes, air-conditioning, door operations, auxiliary power supply, suspension, train control and management system, couplers, and even the wipers.

Delays to the July launch were attributed to ATP warnings whenever ETS201 enters the Butterworth branch line. Thus regulatory approval was delayed until October.[5] The first 4 sets went into service on 10 October 2015, operating between Padang Besar and Gemas on the ETS Ekspres service. As of 2016, all 10 sets from the first batch are in service.

Procurement

The purchase of KTM class 93 was made under a bilateral trade agreement between the Malaysian Ministry of Transport and the Chinese Transport Ministry with the contract signed in September 2013. On top of this, the agreement includes a 2-year maintenance agreement. It also includes various aspects including financing, construction of transportation facilities and other turnkey contracts as well as the transfer of advanced technology and management methods.[6][7][8]

The procurement of the Class 93 includes a clause that future sets of the series would be assembled in Malaysia. A CSR facility for maintaining and assembling was commissioned in Batu Gajah, Malaysia to assist on this end. In April 2017 a further nine set of ETS trains were ordered.[9].Each train set costs RM50 million.[10]

Launch date

The first of the 6-car Class 93 EMUs entered service on 3 September 2015. ETS 201 began service by operating the 5AM service from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur Sentral (EG9301). The ETS then operated the 9.30AM KL Sentral to Padang Besar service (EG9208).[11]

The second batch of 9 trainsets, Class 93/2, entered service on 11 October 2019.

A third batch 10 trains set Class 93/3 is currently being tendered in March 2020. This order is meant for the ETDP extension from Gemas to Johor Bahru in 2022.

Formation
Car No.123456
Seating capacity 445858585844
Designation McTpMMTpMc
Set Designation123456StatusLaunch DateAssembled in
Class 93 ETS 201 C9301T9301M9301M9302T9302C9302In Service7 Sep 2015China
Class 93 ETS 202 C9303T9303M9303M9304T9304C9304In ServiceSep 2015China
Class 93 ETS 203 C9305T9305M9305M9306T9306C9306In Service7 Oct 2015China
Class 93 ETS 204 C9307T9307M9307M9308T9308C9308In Service10 Oct 2015China
Class 93 ETS 205 C9309T9309M9309M9310T9310C9310In ServiceDec 2015Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 206 C9311T9311M9311M9312T9312C9312In ServiceJan 2016Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 207 C9313T9313M9313M9314T9314C9314In ServiceFeb 2016Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 208 C9315T9315M9315M9316T9316C9316In Service2016Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 209 C9317T9317M9317M9318T9318C9318In Service2016Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 210 C9319T9319M9319M9320T9320C9320In Service2016Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 211 C9321T9321M9321M9322T9322C9322In Service11 Oct 2019[12]Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 212 C9323T9323M9323M9324T9324C9324In Service2019Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 213 C9325T9325M9325M9326T9326C9326Coming Soon
Class 93 ETS 214 C9327T9327M9327M9328T9328C9328Testing
Class 93 ETS 215 C9329T9329M9329M9330T9330C9330Coming Soon
Class 93 ETS 216 C9331T9331M9331M9332T9332C9332Coming Soon
Class 93 ETS 217 C9333T9333M9333M9334T9334C9334In Service2020Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 218 C9335T9335M9335M9336T9336C9336Coming Soon
Class 93 ETS 219 C9337T9337M9337M9338T9338C9338Coming Soon

Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with a double-arm Z-shaped pantograph.

  • ETS 202 KTM Class 93 Port Klang.
  • ETS 201 KTM Class 93 at Port Klang.
  • ETS 201 Class 93 EMU train.
  • The KTM Class 93 ETS 203 leaving Pulau Sebang/Tampin to Gemas.
  • View inside ETS Train 203 during its run from Padang Besar to Gemas.
  • TV screen in ETS Train 203 displaying the stops from Padang Besar to Gemas.
  • TV screen in ETS Train 2013 showing train speed at 142km per hour.

References
  1. Burthun, M (6 February 2015). "ETS Ipoh-Padang Besar mula operasi Julai ini" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  2. "CRRC opens Malaysian rolling stock plant". www.railjournal.com.
  3. "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my.
  4. "First of Class 93 ETS EMUs enters service | MalayanRailways.com". malayanrailways.com.
  5. http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/07/19/trains-not-running-smoothly-yet/
  6. "中国首次出口最高速米轨动车组 采用"子弹头"模式" [China's first export of most high-speed meter rail EMU a "bullet" mode] (in Chinese). 1 Dec 2014.
  7. "我国首次出口米轨动车组，为马来西亚量身定制" [China's first export meter-gauge EMU, tailored for Malaysia] (in Chinese). 1 Dec 2014.
  8. "中国首次出口米轨动车组 时速达160公里/小时" [China's first export meter gauge EMU speed of 160 km/h (99 mph)] (in Chinese). 1 Dec 2014.
  9. KTMB orders EMUs with graphene capacitor energy storage Railway Gazette International 13 April 2017
  10. Meng Yew Choong. "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover". The Star Online. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  11. "First of Class 93 ETS EMUs enters service | MalayanRailways.COM". malayanrailways.com.
  12. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/12/ktmb-offers-business-class-seats-on-ets2-from-oct-11
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