The KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Malay : KTM Komuter Utara) is one of the five KTM Komuter services run by Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The service was introduced on 11 September 2015 following the completion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project in December 2014, which also saw the extension of ETS services to Padang Besar from Ipoh.
Currently, the KTM Komuter Northern Sector consists of two routes, namely the Butterworth - Padang Besar route and the Ipoh - Butterworth route. The lines share tracks with KTM ETS services, though the Komuter services call at stations also not served by ETS.
The KTM Komuter Northern Section consists of two routes:
Since November 2021, the Butterworth-Padang Rengas route replaced the Bukit Mertajam–Kamunting route. The Bukit Mertajam, Bukit Tengah and Butterworth stations are common stations between the two lines. [1] On 16 September 2023, the Butterworth–Padang Rengas route was extended southwards to Ipoh.
⇄ = cross-platform interchange
Station Name | Platform type | 2 | 1 | Interchange station/Notes |
Padang Besar | 2 Island | ● | Northern terminus. ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Bukit Ketri | 2 Island | ● | ||
Arau | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kodiang | 2 Side | ● | ||
Anak Bukit | 2 Side | ● | Access to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport within 5 to 8 minutes by taxi. ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Alor Setar | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kobah | 2 Side | ● | ||
Gurun | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Sungai Petani | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Tasek Gelugor | 1 Island 1 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Bukit Mertajam | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station ⇄ KTM ETS |
Bukit Tengah | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station |
Butterworth | 2 Island | ● | ● | Access to George Town by Penang Ferry Service. Interchange and central terminus. ⇄ KTM ETS |
Bukit Tengah | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station |
Bukit Mertajam | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station ⇄ KTM ETS |
Simpang Ampat | 2 Side | ● | ||
Nibong Tebal | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Parit Buntar | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Bagan Serai | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kamunting | 2 Island | ● | ||
Taiping | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Padang Rengas | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kuala Kangsar | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Sungai Siput | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Ipoh | 2 Side | ● | Southern terminus. ⇄ KTM ETS |
The train that are used to run on this track were the Class 83 and Class 92 while the other sets are used to operate on the Central sector.
KTM Komuter Northern Sector has 2 routes/lines, in which they have their own schedule.
The KTM Komuter Northern Service was introduced on 11 September 2015. The initial service ran between Gurun in Kedah, Butterworth in Penang and Kamunting in Perak. [2] [3] [4] [5] On 1 January 2016, a service between Butterworth and Padang Besar in Perlis was introduced. With the introduction of KTM Komuter services on this section, two KTM ETS services that ran between these stations have ceased, reducing the number of ETS services between the stations to make way for the new KTM Komuter service. [6] [7]
On 17 January 2016, the original Gurun-Butterworth-Kamunting route was replaced with two separate routes: Butterworth-Gurun and Butterworth-Kamunting. These two lines together with the Butterworth-Padang Besar line operated until 1 July 2016, when the Butterworth-Gurun route was scrapped. [8]
A further revamp of routes on 1 September 2016 saw the Butterworth-Kamunting line being modified, with the northern terminus moving from Butterworth to Bukit Mertajam, and the southern terminus being extended by two additional stations from Kamunting to include Taiping and ending at Padang Rengas.
From November 4, 2021, trains from Padang Rengas and Padang Besar now terminate at Butterworth, making Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam the shared interchange stations between both lines.
An extension of the Padang Rengas line to Kuala Kangsar, Sungai Siput and Ipoh began running on 16 September 2023. [9] [10]
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or Malayan Railway Limited, colloquially referred to simply as KTM, is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was first built to transport tin. Previously known as the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR) the Malayan Railway Administration (MRA), and the Malayan Railway, Keretapi Tanah Melayu acquired its current name in 1962. The organisation was corporatised in 1992, but remains wholly owned by the Malaysian government.
KTM Komuter is a commuter rail system in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). It was introduced in 1995 to provide local rail services in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding Klang Valley suburban areas. Services were later expanded to other parts of Malaysia with the introduction of the Northern and Southern sectors.
Rail transport in Malaysia has evolved significantly since its inception in the late 19th century, reflecting the country's economic growth and modernization.
The KTM Tanjung Malim–Port Klang Line, formerly known as the Port Klang Line is one of the three KTM Komuter Central Sector lines provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu. The electric trains run between Tanjung Malim and Port Klang. Prior to 15 December 2015, the northern terminus of this line was Batu Caves.
The Rawang railway station is a railway station in Rawang, Gombak District, Selangor, Malaysia that is served by the KTM Komuter and the KTM ETS train services.
The Kuala Kubu Bharu railway station is a Malaysian train station stationed at the northern side of and named after the town of Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor. The station provides both Komuter and ETS services. The station was opened on January 5, 2008. The station replaced the Kuala Kubu Road railway station approximately 2.5 km northwest.
The Tanjung Malim railway station is a Malaysian train station stationed at the north eastern side of and named after the town of Tanjung Malim, Perak. The station provides both Komuter and ETS services.
The KTM West Coast railway line runs from Padang Besar close to the Malaysia–Thailand border in Perlis to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. It is called the West Coast railway line because it serves the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. The line is owned and used entirely by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM).
The Tapah Road railway station is a Malaysian railway station stationed at the north eastern side of and named after the town of Tapah Road, Perak. The station is owned by Keretapi Tanah Melayu and provides KTM ETS services. At one end of this station, there is a freight yard. It was made prior to the Rawang-Ipoh Electrified Double Tracking Project.
The Taiping railway station is a Malaysian train station located at and named after the town of Taiping, Perak.
The Bukit Mertajam railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at Bukit Mertajam, Central Seberang Perai District, Penang.
The Butterworth railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at and named after the town of Butterworth, Penang.
The Sungai Petani railway station is a Malaysian train station located at and named after the city of Sungai Petani. The station is on Keretapi Tanah Melayu's West Coast Line and is served by the KTM ETS and the KTM Komuter Northern Sector services. It was also previously served by the International Express.
The Gurun railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at and named after the town of Gurun, Kedah. KTM ETS trains serve this station. Gurun was also the northern terminus of the KTM Komuter Northern Sector before it was moved to Padang Besar in July 2016.
The Padang Besar railway station is a railway station located at and named after the town of Padang Besar, Perlis in Malaysia which is located at the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Railway electrification in Malaysia is a relatively recent development of rail transport in Malaysia. While the first railway in the country dates back to 1885, it was not until 3 August 1995 that the first electrified railway service, KTM Komuter, began operations.
The KTM ETS, commercially known as ETS, is an inter-city higher-speed rail service in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The KTM ETS is the second electric train service to be operated by the Malaysian railway company after KTM Komuter, and the second inter-city rail service after KTM Intercity.
The KTM Batu Caves–Pulau Sebang Line, formerly known as the Seremban Line is one of the three KTM Komuter Central Sector lines provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu. Its electric trains run between Batu Caves and Pulau Sebang/Tampin. Prior to 15 December 2015, the northern terminus of this line was Rawang.
The Kamunting railway station is a Malaysian train station located at and named after the town of Kamunting, Perak. Kamunting was also the southern terminus of the KTM Komuter Northern Sector before it was moved to Padang Rengas in July 2016 and subsequently Ipoh in 2023.
The Kobah railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at and named after the town of Kobah, Pendang, Kedah, Malaysia.