[KUALA LUMPUR] The Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru Electric Train Service (ETS) has yet to begin operations, but demand is already overwhelming, with most northbound tickets snapped up ahead of the first departure on Friday (Dec 12).
Tickets went on sale at midnight on Tuesday. Within 24 hours, seats for the inaugural services had sold out, as Malaysians and Singapore-based travellers rushed to secure spots on the faster electrified route.
One-way fares begin at RM82 (S$27), with tickets available through May 2026 via Malaysia’s national railway operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) kiosk, website and the Kits Style app.
KTM’s 30 per cent launch promotion discount, for travel from Friday to Jan 11, was fully redeemed on the first day.
Checks on KTM’s ticketing system showed only a few seats for persons with disabilities remaining on the two northbound services scheduled for launch day. Saturday morning’s service has sold out, while seats for Christmas Day and the eve of Chinese New Year are running low.
KTM said the first 8.40 am departure from JB Sentral on Friday has 409 passengers booked. Of these, 115 are non-Malaysians, The Straits Times reported, signalling strong cross-border interest.
Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke said the KL-JB ETS frequency will be increased to four trips a day from January 2026, up from the current two.
Currently, KTM operates two daily KL-JB ETS services in each direction: southbound from KL Sentral at 7.55 am and 5.35 pm, and northbound from JB Sentral at 8.04 am and 4.20 pm.
“We will increase the train frequencies to four trips next month, with further increases in the following months,” said Loke at the launch of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) at Kempas Baru station on Thursday.