Additional Trains On Putraline LRT

Some good news about our public transport system, finally.

Looks like we're getting some new trains for either the Putraline or Starline.

From Reuters: Bombardier gets added $100 mln rail order from Malaysia

(Reuters) - Bombardier Inc. (BBDb.TO: Quote) said it, along with a Malaysian partner, received an additional order for 52 commuter trains valued at about $100 million from Malaysian state infrastructure firm Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad.

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad is a 100% government-owned company which was set up to own STAR-LRT, Putra-LRT and Rapid-KL after deeming them as failed privatisation projects.

Bombardier's Malaysian partner is Hartasuma Sdn Bhd in case anyone was wondering.

This is interesting, because the Putraline, which is apparently the longest fully automated, driverless transit system in Asia, was initially due to receive 88 advanced rapid transit (ART) MK II cars - earliest in September 2008.

The original agreement included options for 52 additional cars, which has now obviously been taken. Should all options be exercised, the entire contract would total 140 cars.

That's a huge addition.

I wonder if this is only for the Putraline or if it extends to the STARline. It would obviously have to be a different configuration as the Putra is driverless, while the STAR is manned.