Above: New ETS services between Kluang and Kuala Lumpur run Fridays to Sundays. -- Filepic
Riders laud efficient, comfy service but hope prices will go down
THE electric train service (ETS) linking Kluang and Kuala Lumpur via KL Sentral has become a popular travel option for Johoreans.
The service has recorded over 10,000 passengers within the first month of operation.
Since the service began on Aug 30, KTM Bhd reported that there had been 4,461 weekday (Monday to Thursday) passengers and 6,412 weekend (Friday to Sunday) passengers.
"Building on this strong response, KTMB has introduced two new weekend ETS services for the Kluang-KL Sentral line starting Oct 10 to meet growing demand.
"The new service will operate every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, providing 315 seats per train, including business class coaches," it said in a statement.
Among those who have enjoyed the new train service was Teo Joo Hern, 36, who travelled from Kuala Lumpur to his hometown, Kluang.
"I paid RM147 for a first class ticket and I think it was worth it as the amenities and meals on board were good.
"There were comfortable and adjustable seats, and the toilet was clean," said Teo.
Teo says the ETS ride in first class to his hometown was worth the price, but hopes for additional services that may bring down ticket fares.
Revealing that his ride was on a weekday and thus not packed, he told StarMetro: "I imagine the service to be popular on weekends and public holidays as it helps avoid traffic congestion on the expressway."
The content creator hopes to see additional trains for the route to encourage higher ridership and possibly bring down the ticket price.
Kluang businessman S. Siva, 56, hopes to see cheaper ticket prices too.
"Compared to the bus, the train fare is still relatively high.
"If prices are more affordable, more people, including tertiary students, will choose the train as their transportation of choice," he opined.
Siva said he had twice used the service, finding it smooth and convenient.
"I rode the train from Kluang to KL Sentral for the first time in early October to visit my daughter who is working in the capital.
"I enjoyed the journey. It showed how our railway service has improved since my younger days," he added.
According to KTMB, the additional trains will make it more convenient for travellers, particularly those in Kluang, to travel to Kuala Lumpur.
The journey would also be faster and more comfortable without the hassle of weekend traffic, it said.
"With shorter travel times (at least 3.5 hours), passengers now have more options to plan their work trips, meetings or family holidays to the country's capital," KTMB said.
In the new weekend timetable, train EP9510 will depart from Kluang at 9.33am and arrive at KL Sentral at 1pm, while train EP9515 will leave KL Sentral at 5.35pm, arriving in Kluang at 9.08pm.
This is in addition to the existing train from KL Sentral to Kluang which departs at 7.45am with a 5.15pm return trip.
KTMB said it would continue assessing demand to consider expanding services during the festive season, school holidays and long weekends.
Tickets for the new weekend service are available via the KTMB Mobile (KITS) app, ticket kiosks or official website www.ktmb.com.my