SPAD is investigating the brake failure where two trains caught fire hours apart at the Setiawangsa and Universiti stations, causing passengers to be evacuated. ― File pic

PETALING JAYA, July 29 —  Prasarana, the operator of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) service, said it had yet to receive any information from train manufacturer Bombardier or brake manufacturer Knorr-Bremse AG, in the wake of last Wednesday’s incident where two trains caught fire.

The company’s chief operating executive, Ahmad Nizam Mohamed Amin, said the manufacturers were supposed to have forwarded their responses yesterday.

Prasarana head of communications and strategic marketing Lim Jin Aun gave an assurance the LRT was safe to use.

He said any information from the manufacturers would be forwarded to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) as part of on-going investigations.

SPAD is investigating the brake failure where two trains caught fire hours apart at the Setiawangsa and Universiti stations, causing passengers to be evacuated.

The fire was caused by leaking hydraulic fluid from the train’s braking system being ignited by the brakes dragging along the track.

In a press statement, Prasarana attributed the cause of the fires to a design fault in the brakes.

SPAD has formed a committee to investigate the fires, along with three other incidents of brake failure that occurred in February and March.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak called for an audit on LRT services last Thursday, with public safety to be given priority.

It was reported the same day Prasarana had sent a proposal to SPAD for a review of LRT fares, stating that a fare increase was needed to meet rising maintenance and electricity costs.

Prasarana Group managing director Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz said fares were last reviewed in 2002.