KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, the operator of six rapid transit lines serving the Klang Valley, incurred a deficit of RM603 million in 2025, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

The company’s operating costs for the year amounted to RM1.3 billion, while unaudited revenue stood at RM721.5 million.

“Total revenue of RM721.5 million comprised RM694.8 million in fare revenue and RM26.7 million in non-fare income,” Loke said in a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday.

He was responding to a question from Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) on Rapid Rail’s revenue for 2025, including costs incurred and additional fares collected from extended operating hours.

Rapid Rail is a wholly-owned unit of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, which manages and operates the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) networks, including the Kelana Jaya Line, Ampang Line, Sri Petaling Line, MRT Kajang Line, MRT Putrajaya Line and the KL Monorail.

Loke said Rapid Rail extended rail service hours 11 times in 2025 to support major events such as football matches and concerts.

The extensions, aimed at facilitating commuter movement to the National Stadium Bukit Jalil and surrounding areas, incurred operating costs of RM1.8 million, while fare collections from the extended hours totalled RM480,000.

In a separate written reply to Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor), Loke said the government is reviewing penalty rates under the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715) to impose heavier punishments for rail-related theft and vandalism.

The move aims to strengthen deterrence, dismantle syndicates and safeguard the continuity and safety of public transport services, he said.

Loke noted that cable theft incidents have seriously disrupted rail services nationwide by interfering with signalling systems that control train movements, resulting in delays and inconvenience for passengers.

To address the issue, he said the Transport Ministry is working with rail operators and enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police, the National Anti-Drugs Agency and the Land Public Transport Agency, on coordinated measures such as 24-hour security patrols and intelligence-gathering operations.

Cable theft along rail tracks has reportedly caused RM20.6 million in losses to Prasarana since 2023, with cases rising to 69 in 2025 — a 68% increase from the 41 recorded in 2024.

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