The KTM ETS, commercially known as ETS (Electric Train Service), is an inter-cityhigher-speed rail service in Malaysia. It is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). ETS followed KTM Komuter to be the second electric train service to be operated by KTM. ETS is Malaysia's second inter-city rail service after KTM Intercity.
Launched in 2010, the ETS is Malaysia's fastest metre-gauge train service. It operates on the historical KTM West Coast Line in western Peninsular Malaysia. The line has since been mostly electrified and double-tracked. Its maximum speed of 160km/h (99mph) is among the world's fastest metre-gauge train services.[4]
The service runs between both ends of the West Coast line, between Padang Besar, near the border with Thailand, to JB Sentral, near the border with Singapore.
Train services
Routes
Odd-numbered train numbers denote southbound trains (trains bound for KL Sentral, Segamat and JB Sentral). Even-numbered train numbers denote northbound trains (trains bound for Padang Besar, Butterworth, Ipoh and KL Sentral).[5] Northbound and southbound trains are paired as one return trip. Each return trip service is available daily.
Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, services reduced
2020
1,646,531
N/A
Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, services reduced
2019
3,901,858
N/A
2018
3,933,093
N/A
2017
4,147,634
174,433,140
Highest on record
2016
3,564,879
145,521,561
2015
2,059,828
60,314,988
2014
1,693,000
44,328,039
2013
1,563,000
40,621,860
2012
1,180,000
31,885,949
2011
913,000
24,313,451
2010
215,000
5,569,532
Operations began in August
History
First phase (2010-2015)
The original KTM Class 91 at Ipoh Railway Station, opened on the first phase.
The service was introduced by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) on 12 August 2010 between Ipoh and Seremban following the completion of the electrification and double-tracking of the Rawang to Ipoh stretch of the West Coast Line. Its inaugural run was celebrated with an opening ceremony at Kuala Lumpur railway station. Initially, services stretched southwards to Seremban, but the KL Sentral-Seremban sector was taken out of service in October 2012.[9] At launch, there were three service types—Platinum, Gold, and Silver. On the fastest Platinum service, the trip was covered in two hours, one hour faster than by car. Gold and Silver services had more stops, hence taking up to 2 hours and 30 minutes. The route was served solely by 5 Class 91 electric trains.
Second phase (July-October 2015)
A Class 91 at Bukit Mertajam, opened on the second phase.
The service was extended from Ipoh to Padang Besar via Butterworth, the mainland town opposite George Town, with the introduction of the ETS Transit on 10 July 2015, with stops at 24 stations. At the inception of service, only one train service in both directions was introduced. This service was named the ETS Transit.
On the following day, 11 July 2015, a new service called the ETS Ekspres between KL Sentral and Padang Besar, via Butterworth was introduced, which only stops at 15 stations. Again, only one service for both directions was introduced.[10] Subsequently, on 1 September 2015, an additional service between KL Sentral and Butterworth was introduced.[11] New rolling stock, the Class 93 trains, were introduced in conjunction with the extended service.
Third phase (2015-2025)
The KTM Class 93 ETS train No. 203 leaving Pulau Sebang/Tampin, opened on the third phase.
On 10 October 2015, the ETS service was extended southwards from KL Sentral to Gemas with the introduction of a new service between Padang Besar and Gemas.[12] The extension of the KTM ETS service to Gemas utilizes the electrified double-track between Seremban and Gemas which was completed in 2014. This extension of service also saw the ETS service returning to Seremban after being discontinued in 2012.
On the same date, 10 October 2015, a new service was launched between Butterworth and Padang Besar in addition to existing services. However, this service was subsequently reduced in frequency and ultimately terminated with the introduction of the new KTM Komuter Northern Sector.[13]
There were constant revisions of timetables and services as more trains became available, with more train services being added for each of the route segments. The Platinum, Gold, and Silver services were also reintroduced while the terms "ETS Ekspres" and "ETS Transit" were retired.
In 2020, due to traveling restrictions amid efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, there were only two trips per day along the five then operational routes albeit with fewer Gold service trains. Services were restored as the pandemic situation improved.
On 1 August 2024, KTM reintroduced the ETS Express services consisting of three limited-stop daily services between KL Sentral and Ipoh, Butterworth and Padang Besar respectively, replacing former ETS Gold and ETS Platinum services on these routes. The new services reduced travel times to 2 hours between KL Sentral and Ipoh, 3 hours 35 minutes between KL Sentral and Butterworth and 4 hours 50 minutes between KL and Padang Besar.[14]They were introduced after the completion of Phase 1 of the Klang Valley Double Track and Electrification (KVDT) Project.[15][16]
Fourth phase (March-December 2025)
The KTM Class 94 ETS train No. 301 at Pulau Sebang/Tampin, started operation on the fourth phase.Kulai station, opened on the fourth phase.
With the staggered completion of the Gemas-JB Electrified Double Tracking Project (EDTP), ETS services were extended southwards in stages throughout 2025 as portions of the line were completed. On 15 March 2025, the ETS was extended beyond Gemas station to the new Segamat station, which was rebuilt as part of the EDTP. On 30 August 2025, the ETS line was extended to Kluang station, with the introduction of a new ETS Platinum service between KL Sentral and Kluang. This marks the first time the electric train service served the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia.[17][18]
Between 10 October 2025 until 12 December 2025, KTM operated an additional weekend-only (every Friday, Saturday and Sunday) service between KL Sentral and Kluang, providing 2 return trips for those 3 days.[19] These weekend-only routes were upgraded to daily routes following the extension of the ETS Platinum service from Kluang to JB Sentral.
On 12 December 2025, the KL Sentral-Kluang route was extended to JB Sentral, following the completion of the Gemas-Johor Bahru electrification and double tracking project. It also marks the completion of the electrification and double tracking of the main passenger routes of the KTM West Coast railway line between Peninsular Malaysia's northern and southern borders.[20]
Five KTM Class 91 train sets, each comprising six cars, were purchased by KTM for $67 million (USD). The train sets were designed by the Marubeni Corporation and jointly built by Hyundai Rotem of South Korea and Mitsubishi Electric of Japan.[21] The maximum operational speed of the ETS fleet is 140km/h (87mph), but the trains are designed to travel up to 160km/h (99mph).[22] The total length of each train set is 138 meters, and it weighs 231.8 tons. Each carriage is 22.95 meters long, 2.75 meters wide, and 4 meters high.[23] Each train set has a passenger seating capacity of 350 and includes on-board facilities such as toilets, a buffet car, power sockets for every two seats, and two LED televisions per car.
Nineteen sets of KTM Class 93 trains were ordered in two batches to expand the fleet as the electrified network expanded. All 19 trains have been in service since October 2019.
The rolling stock was initially intended to be operational for the launch of the ETS Express service between KL Sentral and Padang Besar and the ETS Transit service between Ipoh and Padang Besar. However, issues during the testing and commissioning phase of the train sets led to the Malaysian land public transport authority, SPAD, not approving the trains for use in time for the launch of the two services on 10 July 2015 and 11 July 2015.[24] Consequently, two KTM Class 91 train sets were used temporarily—one for the ETS Express and the other for the ETS Transit—allowing for just one trip in each direction for both services.
The first four KTM Class 93 sets went into service on 10 October 2015, and all sets from the first batch have since entered service.
The second batch of KTM Class 93 trains differs slightly from the first, featuring a redesigned livery and a business class coach, a first for ETS services. These coaches, named Class 93/2, started operations with the launch of the new ETS Business Class in October 2019.
A batch of 10 Class 94 trains was tendered in May 2020 in light of the completion of the Gemas-JB Sentral Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP).[25] The tender was awarded to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, with 8 out of 10 sets being manufactured in Malaysia. The first set was completed on 8 June 2024 and began operations in August 2025 when the ETS was extended to Kluang.
Longest and fastest metre-gauge trains in the world
On metre gauge specifically, the closest comparable rail service is the Renfe Feve which operates under Cercanías Asturias and Euskotren Trena, most notably on the Bilbao to Donostia intercity line in northern Spain. That system provides an inter-state style service similar to the KTM Komuter Northern Sector regional commuter trains. This places the ETS among the fastest 1,000mm (3ft3+3⁄8in)metre gauge services in active operation worldwide.
On-board service
Interior of the standard class accommodation on KTM Class 93/1.
Standard Class
The seats on all trains are arranged in a 2+2 configuration, with each seat featuring a tray table and a power outlet. Cluster seats with fixed tables are available on the Class 93 and Class 94 trains. The seats can be easily converted for wheelchair use if necessary. The latest Class 94 trains seats can be rotated to face any direction. Each coach is equipped with LCD TV screens for entertainment, and toilets are available in every coach. The Class 93/2 and Class 94 trains include changing tables for infants. For Muslim passengers, a prayer room is available on every train. There is also a bistro coach that sells drinks, light snacks, and microwaved meals. This class is available on all trains and is the only class available on older trains such as the Class 91 and Class 93/1.
Business Class interior.
Business Class
The Business Class service offers an upgrade from the Standard Class, providing several enhanced features not available in Standard Class. The seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration, offering greater width and the ability to recline up to 45 degrees. They can also be rotated to face any direction. Each seat is equipped with both a power outlet and a USB port, as well as an on-demand video screen for in-train entertainment. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for Business Class passengers. Each coach is staffed with a steward or stewardess who can be summoned from the seats. On-board dining is included in the fare, and passengers are provided with an amenity kit. This service is exclusively available on newer trains such as the Class 93/2 and Class 94 trains.
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