Rapid KL Train Derails Near Chan Sow Lin, Disrupts Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT Line

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2026 — Rapid KL has confirmed that one of its trains derailed while passing a railway switch near Chan Sow Lin station, causing disruption along the Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT Line.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning and affected services on one of Klang Valley’s key rail routes. Rapid KL said the train became immobilised after the derailment, resulting in delays and service disruption across several parts of the line.

According to the rail operator, there were 25 passengers on board the train at the time of the incident. All passengers were safely evacuated according to operating procedures, and no injuries were reported.

Rapid KL also confirmed that technical teams were already at the location to carry out investigation and recovery works. The derailment happened while the train was passing through a track switch area near Chan Sow Lin station, with Bernama reporting that the incident was linked to a faulty track switch.

Images and videos of the derailed train quickly circulated on social media, showing a train visibly off the tracks near the station. Rapid KL later verified the authenticity of the images that were being shared online.

Following the incident, Rapid KL activated an alternative service plan to help commuters continue their journeys. The operator introduced alternative train services and free shuttle buses to reduce congestion and support passengers affected by the disruption.

Under the temporary arrangement, trains from Sentul Timur were instructed to turn back at Pudu station at four-minute intervals. Shuttle train services were also activated between Ampang and Maluri, as well as between Maluri and Chan Sow Lin, to maintain partial connectivity along the affected route.

Rapid KL also said trains from Putra Heights were turning back at Bandar Tasik Selatan, while additional shuttle train services were operating between Bandar Tasik Selatan and Cheras, and between Cheras and Pudu. These measures were introduced to keep movement possible despite the disruption near Chan Sow Lin.

Free shuttle buses were deployed between key stations including Hang Tuah, Cheras, Pandan Jaya, Chan Sow Lin and Maluri. Bus frequency was estimated at around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Passengers travelling toward the city centre were also advised to use alternative rail routes, including changing to the Putrajaya Line at Sungai Besi where suitable. Rapid KL urged commuters to follow instructions from station staff, auxiliary police and official service updates during the disruption.

The derailment caused inconvenience for commuters during the morning travel period, especially those relying on the Ampang and Sri Petaling lines to access Kuala Lumpur’s central areas. The Chan Sow Lin area is an important interchange zone for rail operations, making any disruption there more likely to affect wider service movement.

Rapid KL apologised for the inconvenience and advised passengers to refer to its official social media channels and the MyRapid PULSE application for the latest updates on service recovery.

The incident has also raised fresh attention on the reliability of Klang Valley’s urban rail network. Malay Mail noted that the derailment came after another recent disruption on May 18, when the Kelana Jaya LRT Line experienced delays due to a technical problem involving a train that was unable to move.

Public transport disruptions can have a wide impact in the Klang Valley, where many commuters depend on rail services for daily movement between residential areas, business districts and transit hubs. When major lines such as Ampang and Sri Petaling are affected, passengers often need to switch routes, take shuttle buses or rely on other transport options.

The Ampang and Sri Petaling LRT lines form part of Rapid KL’s wider rail network and serve several densely populated areas across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. According to Rapid KL’s service information, the combined Ampang and Sri Petaling network covers 45.1 kilometres and 36 stations.

As of the latest update, Rapid KL’s technical teams were still investigating the cause of the derailment and carrying out repair works at the affected location. The operator has not reported any injuries and said passenger safety remains its priority.

The incident is expected to remain under close monitoring until normal train operations can resume safely. Commuters using the Ampang-Sri Petaling Line are advised to check live updates before travelling and allow extra travel time while recovery works continue.