Crowding to squeeze into the subway, bus or train is something that most of us are pretty familiar with.
However, the ‘new normal’ since Covid-19 terrorised the world demands that we wear a mask at all times, keep good hygiene and above all, maintain social distance wherever we are. But for commuters on board a KTM train yesterday morning (4th May 2020), social distancing was altogether impossible to practice, given how they were packed on board the train.
In a video that has since gone viral over social media, a local netizen showed how commuters who were starting their day on board a KTM train from Bukit Badak station were packed shoulder-to-shoulder as they traveled.
However, the tweet has since been deleted, but KTM confirmed the incident happening.
Here’s another viedo from another passenger:
It is understood that KTM Berhad has since responded to the video and confirmed its validity, stating that the crowding issue had been due to a technical problem with the original six-carriage train that was supposed to run along that route, leading to it being replaced by a smaller, three-carriage train that resulted in the overcrowding.
WORLD OF BUZZ has reached out to Mr Ahmad Asri, who is the Head of Strategic Communications at KTM Berhad, and have obtained confirmation that the incident took place along the Tanjung Malim line at 6.17 am yesterday (5th May 2020). The overcrowding issue was only limited to one train due to technical issues with their usual six-carriage train, leading it to be replaced to a smaller three-carriage one. The error has since been rectified by KTMB management.
Regardless of which, we would like to remind all Malaysians that in this phase of a relaxed movement control order, we should all make it a point to practice all the new norms to avoid the possibility of a second-wave of Covid-19 cases.
Also read: Passengers On Plane Claim Airlines Practiced NO Social Distancing During Flight, 95% Seats Occupied