New ETS train from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar

Malaysia's fast speed electric train service (ETS) run by KTM started its service on 11 Julai 2015 from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar. It takes five and a half hours to reach Padang Besar, which is the border town to Thailand. This ETS train starts from Kuala Lumpur Sentral station at 9.30 am and reaches Padang Besar at 3.00 pm with the ticket price of RM80.00. For more details of the stops and schedule click here.

I took the opportunity to try out this ETS train from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth a fortnight ago. The train is very new and comfortable. There are ample luggage space overhead. Taking this train is so much more safer than taking a long distance bus. It reaches Butterworth train station exactly on time at 1.30pm, with a total of four hours. Well done!

At first the speed of the train is only about 90 km/h but slowly it picks up and delivers to 148km/h. Fantastic! Check the speed shown on the screen in the television.

It was fully booked on that day I took the train. Passengers are all very happy for this extra fast service as compared to the old Mail Train that takes double the time for the same distance.

Hmm... there are also food sold in the train. Sandwiches, Nasi Lemak, Fried Mee or Meehoon with coffee and tea. Food are reasonably priced with the Nasi Lemak costing RM5.80 per packet and coffee at RM2.80 per cup.

This ETS train will be extremely popular to senior citizens as there are toilets in the train. It is a welcome change for long distance travel as most local long distance buses do not have toilet facilities in the bus. KTM Malaysia is very kind to give senior citizens (above 60 years old) a discount of 50% of the fare.  It is called "Wargamas" discounts. Therefore, my mother's senior citizen fare from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth comes to only RM34.00. People with Disabilities (known as OKU in Malaysia) are also entitled to 50% discount. So, the fare from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth is RM34.00 only for OKU. Thank you, KTM Berhad. Government pensioners are also given discounts.

Scenic lush greens of paddy fields could be seen along the way. 

There are also palm oil estates and dotted village houses.

Congratulations to KTM for upgrading most of the train stations. Most stations were built during the colonial times and I remember I had to walk on the stones along the track at some smaller stations. 

The photo below shows the  Butterworth Train station with a new facade. Syabas to KTM for all this upgrades.

But since the Butterworth Bus station and Ferry terminal is under renovation, there is difficulty in getting there. 

Therefore, shuttle bus services are provided free of charge to the Ferry terminal and Bus station.

This services runs at an interval of every 15 mins.

Contact Number:

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Call Center

Toll Free: 1-300-88-5862

Phone: +603 2267 1200

Email: callcenter@ktmb.com.my