Sashidaran Gunathevan
The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) started the Electric Train Service (ETS) on August 12, 2010.
At the service’s inception, KTM introduced only one train service in both directions and named it ETS Transit.
On July 10, 2015, the service was extended from Ipoh to Padang Besar via Butterworth, with stops at 24 stations.
Apart from ETS, KTM also operates KTM Intercity for inter-city, KTM Komuter for the suburban areas in the Klang Valley and Skypark Link to connect the Subang Skypark.
ETS train facilities
The train service operates along the electrified and double-tracked stretch of the West Coast Line between Gemas and Padang Besar.
The ETS train service utilises a custom-built train known as KTM Class 93.
The journey time between Padang Besar and Kuala Lumpur is four hours and fifteen minutes, with five stops. Butterworth and Ipoh are the stations in between this journey.
The trains travel up to 140 km/h (87 mph) on the double-track rail.
The train comes with entertainment devices such as LED TV on each coach. The passenger seat also is equipped with a 3-pin power outlet and headrest and comes with a food tray.
ETS also comes with special seats for the disabled and elderly. Apart from that, the train provides a praying area.
The CCTV system monitors the coaches continuously to ensure passengers’ safety.
ETS is the green train with electricity as a power source. It is clean and has a lower carbon footprint.
Routes and Services.
The ETS train schedule in Malaysia is categorised into two routes, between Gemas as the southern point and Padang Besar as the northern point.
KL Sentral is a known central hub for travellers.
KTM ETS provides three different services based on the needs of the passengers.
The ETS Silver offers an almost all-stop service between KL Sentral and Ipoh, with the lowest fares among the ETS service classes.
Trains stop at some stations between KL Sentral and Tanjung Malim and all stations between Tanjung Malim and Ipoh.
Gold Services are slightly faster only because they stop at some stations.
Meanwhile, the Platinum Class Trains are the fastest as they only stop at the main stations along the line.
The Platinum Class also operates at the most popular times of the day to travel.
ETS Tickets
The train ticket pricing varies according to several factors such as travel period, day and time.
The Early Bird Tickets will be the cheapest, and passengers must book 30 days in advance.
The second category is Intermediate Tickets; tickets booked 6 to 30 days in advance.
The most expensive tickets are the Last Minute Tickets.
Travelling during the Super Peak period is also more expensive than during off-peak periods.
Tickets bought for weekdays are much cheaper as opposed to weekends. And the travelling from 6 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 9 pm during weekdays are also much pricier.
However, the most expensive ticket on ETS is the Business Class, which comes with free Wi-Fi, reclining and rotating seats, a specially catered meal and onboard entertainment.
The official ticketing portal is called KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS), and you can do concession registration in the same portal.
KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS).
Official booking website: https://online.ktmb.com.my/
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