KTM ETS KTM Electric Train Service
AKTM Class 93 (Platinum service) arriving atKampar
Overview
Native name	Perkhidmatan Tren Elektrik (Malay) 电动列车服务 (Chinese) மின்சார ரயில் சேவை (Tamil)
Owner	Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)
Locale	Padang Besar–Butterworth–Ipoh–Kuala Lumpur–Segamat–Kluang
Stations	39 (as of 31 August 2025)[1]
Website	www.ktmb.com.my
Service
Type	Inter-city rail -Higher-speed rail
Operator(s)	KTM Intercity Division
Rolling stock	5 six-car trainsets ofKTM Class 91 19 six-car trainsets ofKTM Class 93 10 six-car trainsets ofKTM Class 94
Ridership	4.13 million (2024)[2][3]
History
Opened	12 August 2010; 15 years ago (2010-08-12)
Technical
Line length	Current: 816.6 km (507.4 mi) (Padang Besar–Kluang) Under testing: 86.4 km (53.7 mi) (Renggam–Johor Bahru Sentral)
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)metre gauge
Electrification	25 kV 50 Hz ACcatenary
Conduction system	With driver
Operating speed	145 to 160 km/h (90 to 100 mph)
Route map Legend toBangkok viaInternational Express Hat Yai Junction Khlong Ngae Padang Besar (Thai) Thailand Malaysia international border Padang Besar  2  Arau  2  Perlis Kedah state border Kedah River Bridge Anak Bukit  2  Alor Setar  2  Gurun  2  Sungai Petani  2  Sungai Muda bridge Kedah Penang state border Tasek Gelugor  2  Butterworth  2  MTL  Perai Riverswing bridge Bukit Mertajam  1  2  Bukit Mertajam junction North-South Expressway Nibong Tebal  1  Kerian River bridge Penang Perak state border Parit Buntar  1  Bagan Serai  1  North-South Expressway Bukit Merah Lake Railway Bridge Taiping  1  Larut Tunnel Bukit Berapit Tunnel Padang Rengas  1  Kuala Kangsar  1  Perak River bridge (Formerly Victoria Bridge) Sungai Siput  1  Ipoh  1  Batu Gajah Kampar Tapah Road Sungkai Slim River Tanjung Malim 2 Sungai Bernam bridge Perak Selangor state border Kuala Kubu Bharu 2 Batang Kali 2 Rawang 2 Sungai Buloh 212 Selangor Wilayah Persekutuan KL state border Kepong Sentral 212 toBatu Caves Kuala Lumpur 1259 Kuala Lumpur Sentral 125678910 toPort Klang Bandar Tasik Selatan 147 Wilayah Persekutuan KL Selangor state border Kajang 1914 Selangor Negeri Sembilan state border Seremban 1 Negeri Sembilan Malacca state border Pulau Sebang/Tampin 1 Batang Melaka Malacca Negeri Sembilan state border toTumpat viaKTM Intercity Gemas Gemas River bridge Negeri Sembilan Johor state border Sungai Muar bridge Segamat Labis Bekok Paloh Kluang extension by 2025   Mengkibol Renggam Layang-Layang Kulai Kempas Bahru Johor Bahru Sentral   RTS  BRT  Malaysia Singapore international border toWoodlands Train Checkpoint viaKTM Intercity This diagram: view talk edit

TheKTM ETS, commercially known asETS (Electric Train Service), is aninter-cityhigher-speed rail service inMalaysia. It is operated byKeretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). ETS followedKTM Komuter to be the second electric train service to be operated by KTM. ETS is Malaysia's second inter-city rail service afterKTM Intercity.

Launched in 2010, the ETS is Malaysia's fastest metre-gauge train service. It operates on the historicalKTM West Coast Line in westernPeninsular Malaysia. That line has since been electrified and double-tracked. Its maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) is among the world's fastestmetre-gauge train services.^[4]

The line runs betweenPadang Besar, near the border withThailand, toKluang inJohor. A southern extension fromKluang toJohor Bahru Sentral near the border withSingapore is planned to enter service in December 2025. That extension will complete therail electrification between Western Malaysia's northern and southern borders.

Odd-numbered train numbers denote southbound trains (trains bound for KL Sentral, Segamat and Kluang). 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, except for additional weekend-only trips.

The ETS covers the section of the West Coast Main Line betweenPadang Besar near theMalaysia-Thailand border andKluang inJohor, including the branch line betweenBukit Mertajam Junction andButterworth, and will extend toJohor Bahru Sentral by December 2025. The line from Kluang to Johor Bahru is currently undergoing double-tracking and electrification. Most routes originate fromKL Sentral, the main railway station ofKuala Lumpur, the capital city ofMalaysia.

The ETS operates six routes, namely:

• KL Sentral -Ipoh
• KL Sentral -Butterworth
• KL Sentral -Padang Besar
• Segamat -Padang Besar viaKL Sentral andIpoh
• Segamat -Butterworth viaKL Sentral andIpoh
• Kluang -KL Sentral viaGemas

Currently, there are six return trips on theKL Sentral -Ipoh route, five return trips on theKL Sentral -Butterworth route, four return trips on theKL Sentral -Padang Besar route, and one return trip each on theSegamat -Padang Besar,Segamat -Butterworth andKL Sentral -Kluang routes daily. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, there is an additional return trip on the KL Sentral - Kluang route.

In 2020, due to traveling restrictions and efforts to curb theCOVID-19 pandemic, there were only two trips per day along the five routes that are currently albeit with fewer Gold service trains.

On 1 August 2024, KTM introduced ETS Express services, three new limited-stop, express train services on the KL Sentral - Ipoh, KL Sentral - Butterworth, and KL Sentral - Padang Besar routes, replacing former ETS Gold services on these routes. These new services offer faster travel, with trains only stopping at major stations along the West Coast Line. These new services came after the completion of Phase 1 of the Klang Valley Double Track and Electrification (KDVT) Project.^[6][7]

On 15 March 2025, the ETS was extended beyondGemas station to the newSegamat station, which was rebuilt as part of the almost-complete Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrification and Double-Tracking project. On 30 August 2025, the ETS line was extended toKluang station, with the introduction of a new ETS Platinum service betweenKL Sentral and Kluang. This marks the first time the electric train service served the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia.^[8][9] Starting 10 October 2025, KTM introduced an additional weekend-only (every Friday, Saturday and Sunday) service between KL Sentral and Kluang, providing 2 return trips for those 3 days.^[10]

The train services are operated in four categories:

• Express service with fewer limited stops (3 return trips), along with business class coach service
• Platinum service with limited stops (9 return trips, 10 on the weekends), along with business class coach service
• Gold service with selected stops (5 return trips)
• Silver service with stops at all stations (1 return trip)

⇄ =cross-platform interchange⇅ = connected interchange

Code	Name	Image	Cumulative distance (km)	Interchanges	Notes
PDR	Padang Besar		0.0	⇄ 2	Northern terminus. Connects to Thailand'sSouthern Line. Linkbridge access to the Padang Besarcustoms, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex. Northern terminus of theKTM KomuterPadang Besar-Butterworth Line.
ARU	Arau Royal Station		29.4	⇄ 2	ServesUniversiti Teknologi MARA's (UiTM) Arau Campus,Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) andUniversiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
ABT	Anak Bukit		60.0	⇄ 2
ALS	Alor Setar		68.2	⇄ 2
GRN	Gurun		103.1	⇄ 2
SPT	Sungai Petani		124.5	⇄ 2	Serves UiTM's Merbok Campus
TGL	Tasek Gelugor		142.5	⇄ 2
NTB	Nibong Tebal		179.1	⇄ 1	ServesUniversiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Engineering Campus
PBT	Parit Buntar		185.4	⇄ 1
BGS	Bagan Serai		195.8	⇄ 1
TPG	Taiping		239.4	⇄ 1
PRG	Padang Rengas		258.9	⇄ 1
KKS	Kuala Kangsar		267.6	⇄ 1
SGS	Sungai Siput		288.8	⇄ 1
IPH	Ipoh		326.1	⇄ 1	Southern terminus of theKTM KomuterButterworth-Ipoh Line.
BTG	Batu Gajah		340.1		Serves as the ETS depot, together with theCRRC rolling stock centre.
KMR	Kampar		363.1		ServesUniversiti Tunku Abdul Rahman's (UTAR) Kampar Campus.
TPH	Tapah Road		378.6
SUI	Sungkai		402.6
SLR	Slim River		426.8
KA15	Tanjung Malim		445.6	⇄2	Northern terminus of theKTM KomuterTanjung Malim–Port Klang Line. Serves theSultan Idris Education University (UPSI).
KA14	Kuala Kubu Bharu		467.7	⇄2
KA12	Batang Kali		480.8	⇄2
KA10	Rawang		500.6	⇄2
KA08	Sungai Buloh		514.9	⇄2 ⇅12
KA07	Kepong Sentral			⇄2 ⇅12
KA02	Kuala Lumpur		532.6	⇄12 ⇅59
KA01	KL Sentral		533.6	⇄1210 ⇅56789	Eastern terminus of theKTM Komuter.KL Sentral–Terminal Skypark Line
KB04	Bandar Tasik Selatan		542.8	⇄1 ⇅47	Connects toTerminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) Bus Hub.
KB06	Kajang		559.8	⇄1 ⇅9
KB14	Seremban		605.9	⇄1
KB18	Pulau Sebang/Tampin		655.1	⇄1	Southern terminus of theKTM KomuterBatu Caves–Pulau Sebang Line.
BML	Batang Melaka		680.6
GMS	Gemas		707.6	⇄	Interchange withEast Coast line towardsTumpat.
SGM	Segamat		733.6	⇄
LBS	Labis		763.1	⇄
BKK	Bekok		779.0	⇄
PLH	Paloh		792.9	⇄
KLG	Kluang		816.6	⇄	Temporary southern terminus. Railway services continue toJohor Bahru Sentral viaKTM Intercity.
RGM	Renggam		835.3	⇄
LAY	Layang-Layang		848.2	⇄
KLI	Kulai		871.5	⇄
KPB	Kempas Baru		892.4	⇄
JBS	Johor Bahru Sentral		903.0	⇄	Future southern terminus. Future connecting station to theJohor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS). Direct access to theSultan Iskandar Building'scustoms, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex.

⇄ =cross-platform interchange

Code	Name	Image	Cumulative distance (km)	Interchanges	Notes
BTW	Butterworth		(145.1)	⇄ 1  2	Penang branch terminus. Connects toPenang Sentral and thePenang Ferry terminal. Future connecting station toLRT Mutiara Line. Western terminus ofKTM KomuterPadang Besar-Butterworth Line andButterworth-Ipoh Line.
BMT	Bukit Mertajam		(155.3)	⇄ 1  2
continues southbound viaNibong Tebal

The service was introduced byKeretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) on 12 August 2010 betweenIpoh andSeremban following the completion of the electrification and double-tracking of the Rawang to Ipoh stretch of theWest Coast Line. Its inaugural run was celebrated with an opening ceremony atKuala Lumpur railway station. Initially, services stretched southwards to Seremban, but theKL Sentral-Seremban sector was taken out of service in October 2012.^[14] 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 5Class 91 electric trains.

The service was extended fromIpoh toPadang Besar viaButterworth, the mainland town oppositeGeorge 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 theETS Transit.

On the following day, 11 July 2015, a new service called theETS Ekspres betweenKL Sentral andPadang Besar, viaButterworth was introduced, which only stops at 15 stations. Again, only one service for both directions was introduced.^[15] Subsequently, on 1 September 2015, an additional service betweenKL Sentral andButterworth was introduced.^[16] New rolling stock, theClass 93 trains, were introduced in conjunction with the extended service.

On 10 October 2015, the ETS service was extended southwards fromKL Sentral toGemas with the introduction of a new service betweenPadang Besar andGemas.^[17] The extension of the KTM ETS service toGemas utilizes the electrified double-track betweenSeremban andGemas which was completed in 2014. This extension of service also saw the ETS service returning toSeremban after being discontinued in 2012.

On the same date, 10 October 2015, a new service was launched betweenButterworth andPadang Besar in addition to existing services. However, this service was subsequently reduced in frequency and ultimately terminated with the introduction of the newKTM Komuter Northern Sector.^[18]

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 no longer used.

Class	Image	Cars per Set	In service	On order	Manufacturer
KTM Class 91		6	4	-	Hyundai Rotem
KTM Class 93		6	19	-	CSR Zhuzhou
KTM Class 94		6	3	7	CRRC Zhuzhou

Five KTM Class 91 train sets, each comprising six cars, were purchased by KTM for $67 million (USD). The train sets were designed by theMarubeni Corporation and jointly built byHyundai Rotem ofSouth Korea andMitsubishi Electric ofJapan.^[19] The maximum operational speed of the ETS fleet is 140 km/h (87 mph), but the trains are designed to travel up to 160 km/h (99 mph).^[20] 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.^[21] Each train set has a passenger seating capacity of 350 and includes on-board facilities such as toilets, abuffet 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.^[22] 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).^[23] The tender was awarded toCRRC 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 toKluang.

The ETS trains currently operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h (99 mph) on theelectrifiedmetre gauge rail network.^[4] As the tracks are metre gauge, the service is classified as ahigher-speed rail (HrSR) limited express rather than true high-speed rail. Comparable services can be found on1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)narrow gauge lines in other countries, such as theKuroshio,Shirasagi,Sonic andThunderbird services in Japan, theTaroko andPuyuma Express in Taiwan as well as theElectric andDiesel Tilt Train services inAustralia.

On metre gauge specifically, the closest comparable rail service is theRenfe Feve which operates underCercanías Asturias andEuskotren Trena, most notably on theBilbao toDonostia intercity line in northernSpain. That system provides an inter-state style service similar to theKTM Komuter Northern Sector regional commuter trains. This places the ETS among the fastest1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)metre gauge services in active operation worldwide.

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.

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.

TheMYR 8 billion contract was expected to be tendered by the end of 2008, pending a mid-term review of theNinth Malaysia Plan. The project included building over 200 km (120 mi) of parallel railway tracks, including stations, depots, halts, yards, and bridges, as well as systems such as electrification, signaling, and communications.^[24] This included a realignment of thePulau Sebang/Tampin–Gemas section.

In May 2009, Global Rail Sdn Bhd, a relatively small contractor, and its Chinese partner, China Infraglobe, submitted a proposal to theGovernment to build and upgrade tracks fromGemas toJohor Bahru at a cost ofMYR 5 billion. The project was proposed on aprivate finance initiative basis, and the plan submitted to theMinistry of Finance in June 2009 was conditional upon signing over mineral rights in the state ofJohor.^[25]

On 29 January 2011, then Transport MinisterDatuk SeriKong Cho Ha stated that the Gemas–Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was expected to start that year. He added that the Government hoped to appoint the contractor for the project within the year and that Malaysia was still in discussions withChina Railway Construction, though nothing was confirmed. Kong noted that two consultants, a design consultant and an independent checker, had been appointed to monitor the project. The construction of 192 km (119 mi) of tracks, estimated to cost betweenMYR 6 billion andMYR 7 billion, was projected to take three years.^[26]

On 27 October 2015, the public display exercise, required for all new railway developments under Section 84 of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Act 2010, for the Gemas - Johor Bahru Electrification and Double Tracking Project began and ran until 27 January 2016. The Chinese companyCRCC was awarded the contract to carry out the project. Construction began in January 2018.^[27] The project was expected to be completed by mid-2023,^[28] but on 23 March 2023, it was announced that the extension would be delayed until mid-2025.^[29]

The length of the line to be electrified and double-tracked is 192 km (119 mi) between Chainage 563.040 atGemas and Chainage 754.180 atJB Sentral. The project includes the construction of 11 stations atSegamat,Genuang,Labis,Bekok,Paloh,Kluang,Mengkibol,Rengam,Layang-Layang,Kulai andKempas Baru, with three future stations planned atTenang,Chamek and Senai. The upgraded line is expected to accommodate at least 22 daily services involving ETS,KTM Intercity, shuttle train services, andKTM Komuter.

The documents displayed also stated that the electrification for this stretch would have the same specifications as the Seremban–Gemas stretch, with 25 kV AC 50 Hz single-phase supplied via anoverhead catenary system. Train operations for this stretch will be integrated with the Train Control Centers at KL Sentral and Gemas. The designed maximum speed for the tracks is 160 km/h (99 mph).

On 25 February 2025, the EDTP was announced as 99% completed.^[30] It was also announced that at that time the EDTP was expected be completed by 21 April 2025.^[31][32][33] That was expected to be enhanced by the southern sector ETS service starting after 12 August 2025^[30] when all ETS third generation trainsets were scheduled to be delivered to Malaysia.^[34][35]

On 15 March 2025, ETS services were extended toSegamat station, making it the first station in the state ofJohor to be served by ETS. Two existing ETS Gold routes, namely the Padang Besar–Gemas route and Butterworth–Gemas route were extended toSegamat, with Segamat station becoming the new terminal station in the south instead ofGemas. Ticket sale for the newly extended ETS services began on 12 March 2025 at 10:00AM.^{[35][36][37][38]}

On 7 June 2025, it was reported that the EDTP was experiencing delays, especially with overhead electrification toJohor Bahru Sentral still incomplete. It was predicted that the ETS would not reachKluang until August 2025 and Johor Bahru Sentral until December 2025.^[39] Following a launch ceremony on 23 August 2025 by theKing of MalaysiaIbrahim Iskandar of Johor, the ETS was extended to Kluang on 30 August 2025.^[40][41][42]

• 
  Class 93 enteringKajang
• 
  Class 93 enteringPulau Sebang/Tampin
• 
  Class 93 atKL Sentral
• 
  Class 93 passingKampar, Perak heading North toBatu Gajah
• 
  Class 91 and 93 atBatu Gajah Railway Depot

• Keretapi Tanah Melayu
  • KTM Intercity andKTM ETS
    • KTM West Coast railway line
    • KTM East Coast railway line
  • KTM Komuter
    • Batu Caves–Pulau Sebang Line
    • Tanjung Malim–Port Klang Line
    • KL Sentral–Terminal Skypark Line
    • Padang Besar–Butterworth Line
    • Butterworth–Ipoh Line
• Rail transport in Malaysia
• Railway electrification in Malaysia
• Public transport in Kuala Lumpur

• ETS Ticket Online - Compare and Buy ETS Ticket Online

• 2010 establishments in Malaysia
• KTM ETS
• Passenger rail transport in Malaysia
• Railway services introduced in 2010
• Keretapi Tanah Melayu

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