ETS JB to KL Service Starts Dec 12, Royal Launch Set For Dec 11

KTM Bhd (KTMB) is set to launch its ETS service between Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur on Dec 12, marking the first time the high-speed intercity train will operate from the southern city. 

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the official opening will take place a day earlier on Dec 11, officiated by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

According to Loke, the initial rollout focuses on the Johor Baru–Kuala Lumpur corridor, while extensions to Padang Besar and Butterworth will follow later. He explained that long-distance routes can only support one northbound and one southbound trip daily, while the shorter JB–KL sector will allow for more frequent departures.

Travellers heading to the northern states from Johor Baru will need to switch trains in Kuala Lumpur, and the same applies for those returning south. For now, KTMB has not started selling ETS tickets for the new southern route.

The journey between Kuala Lumpur and Kluang currently takes around three and a half hours, with stops at key stations including Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kajang, Seremban, Pulau Sebang (Tampin), Batang Melaka, Gemas, Segamat, Labis, Bekok and Paloh.

Loke also addressed progress on Johor’s proposed Elevated Automated Rapid Transit (E-ART) system. He said the project is still moving forward, though the Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) has asked for refinements to the proposal before it can proceed. 

The Transport Ministry, he added, continues to prioritise the project and is working with Ukas to speed up the approval process.

On cross-border e-hailing, Loke said discussions with Singapore are ongoing. A memorandum of understanding is expected to be unveiled during the annual leaders’ retreat between the Malaysian and Singaporean prime ministers on Dec 4.

Source: The Star