Hitachi Rail awarded contract to deliver digital solutions and long-term service support for Kuala Lumpur’s Ampang Line

A breakthrough in service innovation for Malaysia’s rail sector and development of local skills and expertise

Kuala Lumpur — Hitachi Rail has been awarded a contract to deliver advanced digital solutions and long-term service support (LTSS) for the Ampang Line in Kuala Lumpur. The initiative marks a significant milestone in service innovation for Malaysia’s rail sector and reinforces the nation’s commitment to developing local rail expertise.

This strategic engagement introduces cutting-edge digital enhancements across multiple domains, such as integrating different radio networks to allow trains to seamlessly communicate with control centers and operational systems. Other domains include advanced data analytics and various Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) enhancements. These technologies will enable precise real-time monitoring and early detection of anomalies, allowing operators to respond proactively to potential issues. Ultimately, the solutions will enable more reliable journeys and enhanced customer service from Prasarana to Kuala Lumpur’s commuters.

In parallel, LTSS ensures that the overall Signaling & Train Control system will be maintained at optimal performance for the next 10 years. The LTSS also plays a critical role in meeting the government’s performance targets as it maximizes return on investment by reducing the reliance on costly, short-term fixes.

As part of its commitment to strengthen local rail expertise in Malaysia, Hitachi Rail also established a Rail Centre of Excellence in Batu Gajah, to provide training and transfer-of-technology to the next generation of railway engineers. Recent achievements include commissioning the Integrated Control Center (ICC) to manage three major lines and enhancing the Ampang Line with advanced safety systems.

Hitachi Rail has been a key partner in Malaysia’s rail development since 1998, when the Kelana Jaya LRT Line commenced operations with the SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system. Additionally, the company has been instrumental in upgrading the signaling systems across various lines in Kuala Lumpur, including the monorail, Ampang Line, and Kelana Jaya Line.

Alfredo Drago, Head of SRS, APAC, Hitachi Rail, said: “We are excited to support Malaysia’s digital transformation journey with advanced solutions that ensure operational excellence, long-term service reliability, and cost efficiency. This award not only underlines our technical leadership, but also enhances Hitachi Rail’s position as a trusted, long-term partner in the country. It also reinforces our strong commitment with the local government and rail industry for the transfer of know-how and development of local skills.”