Malaysia Launches New Electric Train Service Connecting Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru
- Discovering Hospitality
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
Malaysia is set to transform travel along its southern corridor with the launch of a new Electric Train Service (ETS) linking Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Beginning 12 December 2025, passengers can journey between the two major cities in approximately 4.5 hours, a significant improvement over the traditional five- to seven-hour road trip.
The introduction of the ETS coincides with the completion of the highly anticipated Gemas–Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Project, a 192-kilometre infrastructure upgrade designed to enhance connectivity, capacity, and comfort for long-distance rail travel in the region.
Each six-coach ETS train offers seating for 312 passengers and features five standard coaches and one business-class coach. Onboard amenities include four toilets, a dedicated bistro serving meals, plug points at every seat, and a Muslim prayer room. Business-class passengers will also enjoy premium comforts such as wider seating, a private toilet, complimentary meals, personal TV screens, free WiFi, movies, an in-seat route map, and an integrated meal-ordering system.
The KL Sentral–JB Sentral route will operate four daily services as follows:
From KL Sentral: 7:45 AM and 5:35 PM
From JB Sentral: 8:40 AM and 4:20 PM
Beginning 1 January 2026, the first departure from KL Sentral will be adjusted to 7:55 AM.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) anticipates strong demand for the new service, particularly during the year-end school holidays and in response to increasing cross-border travel from Singapore.
