ERL TARGETS 5PC RIDERSHIP GROWTH
Operator will be leveraging application programming interface initiative to meet target, says chief
EXPRESS Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) is targeting about five per cent growth in ridership this year from the current nine million range annually.
ERL will be leveraging its application programming interface (API) initiative for seamless travelling experience to meet the target, said chief executive officer Noormah Mohd Noor.
She said API allowed ERL to integrate with its partners, helping the airport rail link operator to have wider customers for its ticketing system, particularly
from airlines and travel agents.
“We need to continuously generate new interest and innovate to remain sustainable. The system provides faster processing system for seamless ticketing transaction.
“We work with partners who can offer great synergy and value such as Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Visa, Mastercard, Touch ’n Go, airlines, Grab, Boost and Traveloka,” she told the New Straits Times in an interview, here, recently.
ERL is the operator of KLIA Ekspres, a non-stop service, and KLIA Transit, which stops at three intermediate station service, for both business and leisure travellers. Its core business has always been the KLIA Ekspres, which comprises 70 per cent business and 30 per cent leisure travellers.
In operations since 2002, Noormah said ERL was expected to carry its 100 millionth passenger in June.
ERL carried 8.6 million passengers last year, boosting its total numbers to more than 95 million.
“We are in the nine million range (passengers) annually. We have six new trains to increase passenger capacity by 50 per cent.
“The new trains have 192 seat capacity, compared with the older trains’ of 156 seats, better airconditioning, high-speed Internet and more closed-circuit televisions,” she added.
Noormah said ERL carried between 20,000 and 22,000 passengers daily in all its 18 trains.
“We are well-connected with other transit systems, here, especially via Kuala Lumpur Sentral station, where one can transfer easily to the monorail, the light rail transit (LRT), KTM Komuter and Mass Rapid Transit system.
“The Bandar Tasik Selatan station is also connected to the LRT Ampang Line and KTM Komuter. These ecosystems will further evolve in the future as urban development and demography change over time,” she said.
ERL is hopeful of collaborating with partners, such as corporates, airlines, e-commerce, ewallets and e-hailing providers, to bring value for its passengers.
“We collaborate with strategic partners to meet the needs of our existing and potential customers to remain sustainable in the current competitive market.
“The collaboration helps us to improve connectivity, widen our sales channel and provide more payment options, while keeping up with current lifestyle of cashless society,” she said.