TheKTM West Coast railway line is a main railway line in Malaysia. It runs fromPadang Besar close to theMalaysia–Thailand border inPerlis (where it connects with theState Railway of Thailand) to theWoodlands Train Checkpoint inSingapore. Running near parallel to the West Coast and serving the West Coast states ofPeninsular Malaysia. The line is owned and used entirely byKeretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). PastPadang Besar, the line continues on to become the ThaiSouthern Line, which continues up towardsHat Yai andBangkok.
The 1,151-kilometre line is busier than its east coast counterpart, theEast Coast railway line since it is double tracked and electrified for most of its route and has more services. The line handles a variety of passenger train services such asKTM ETS services,KTM Intercity services,State Railway of ThailandInternational Express services,KTM Komuter services within theKlang Valley and theGeorge Town Conurbation, and freight trains. Of this total length, more than 759km is double-tracked and electrified, with the entire line except theSingapore section to be fully double-tracked and electrified by end 2025.[1]
Major stations on the line includeKL Sentral inKuala Lumpur,Butterworth inPenang,Johor Bahru Sentral in the south inJohor andWoodlands Train Checkpoint inSingapore.
The West Coast railway line was developed in stretches on June 1, 1885, with the opening of the Taiping–Port Weld Line, and 1932 when the line opened up toTanjung Pagar, thus spanning the entire west coast of Peninsular Malaysia fromPadang Besar on theMalaysia–Thai border to Singapore. The line began with the construction of branches linking coastal ports with inland tin mining areas before they were gradually linked up by the main truck line running through the interior of the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.
The latest new lines to be built were the branch lines toWest Port, North Port,Tanjung Pelepas,Pasir Gudang and the North Butterworth Container Terminal at thePort of Penang. The trunk line had also seen sections becoming disused, abandoned or even removed, with the latest being the closure and subsequent removal of the southernmost stretch of track between theWoodlands Train Checkpoint andTanjong Pagar in 2011.
Source:[2]
The West Coast railway line is served by a variety of train services:[3][4][5]
After many years of announcements about the intention to upgrade the final stretch of single track of the West Coast Line, the Government began the public display exercise for the Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking project (EDTP) on 27 October 2015. The public display exercise, required for all development of new railways under Section 84 of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Act 2010, ran until 27 January 2016. Chinese companyChina Railway Construction Company (CRCC) has been awarded to build the Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking project.
The length of the line to be electrified and double-tracked is 197km between Chainage 563.040 atGemas to Chainage 754.180 atJohor Bahru. The project includes the construction of 11 stations atSegamat,Genuang,Labis,Bekok,Paloh,Kluang,Mengkibol,Rengam,Layang-Layang,Kulai andKempas Baru, and 3 future stations atTenang,Chamek andSenai. The upgraded line is supposed to cater for at least 22 services daily involvingKTM ETS,KTM Intercity and shuttle train services. Electrification for the stretch will have the same specifications as that of the Seremban-Gemas stretch, name at 25 kV AC 50Hz single phase and supplied via an overhead catenary. Train operations for this stretch will be integrated with the Train Control centres at KL Sentral and Gemas. The design speed for the tracks is 160km/h.
Construction began in 2016 and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.[7][8][9]
On 15 March 2025,Segamat became the first station on the EDTP to be served by theKTM ETS service, replacingGemas as the southern terminal of the ETS service.[10]
The project was implemented byKeretapi Tanah Melayu began in 2016 and phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2021.[11] The project entails the rehabilitation of 42 km of tracks betweenRawang andSalak Selatan as well asSentul and Simpang Batu. This will focus on enhancing 16 stations along these routes and upgrade the existing signalling and electrification system.[12] This will be reduced to just seven-and-a-half minutes once the KVDT is completed.[13]
The 42km rehabilitation under Phase I includes:
Phase II is from Simpang Bangsar – Pelabuhan Klang and Salak Selatan – Seremban.
On May 9, 2025, the cargo-only Pasir Gudang–Kempas Baru railway line will soon be upgraded to accommodate passenger services and will be operational in between 6 to 12 months.[14]
The West Coast main trunk line stretches fromPadang Besar on theMalaysia–Thailand border to theWoodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore.
The main trunk line is double-tracked andelectrified from Padang Besar toSegamat. From Segamat toJohor Bahru Sentral, the line is single-tracked and not electrified in some parts. Loops at stations allow trains to pass. Double tracking and electrification works are nearing completion. The line between Johor Bahru Sentral and theWoodlands Train Checkpoint will remain single-tracked and not electrified.
The West Coast railway line connects with the State Railway of Thailand at Padang Besar, while theEast Coast Line branches off atGemas.
The West Coast railway line includes several branch lines from the main trunk line, namely:
The Bukit Mertajam Junction toButterworth, Batu Junction toBatu Caves, Port Klang Junction toPort Klang station, as well as the branch line toTerminal Skypark is double tracked and electrified.
The line fromPort Klang to Westport and its shipping terminals, as well as the branch lines between Skudai Junction and thePort of Tanjung Pelepas and theKempas Baru andPasir Gudang are single lines and not electrified.
There are also branch lines where the tracks exist but are not used for any service or closed are:
None of these disused branch lines are double tracked nor electrified.
Station names | Cities or Towns served | Territory | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Connects to Padang Besar branch line,Southern Line,Thailand) | |||||
Padang Besar | Padang Besar | ![]() | ETS 2 | Padang Besar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex | |
Bukit Ketri | Bukit Ketri | 2 | |||
Arau | Arau Pulau Langkawi | ETS 2 | |||
Kodiang | Kodiang | ![]() | 2 | ||
Megat Dewa | Closed and demolished | ||||
Tunjang | Closed and demolished | ||||
Anak Bukit | Anak Bukit | ETS 2 | |||
Alor Setar | Alor Star | ETS 2 | |||
Kobah | Pendang | 2 | |||
Ladang Jenun | Closed and demolished | ||||
Gurun | Gurun | ETS 2 | |||
Sungai Petani | Sungai Petani | ETS 2 | |||
Pinang Tunggal | ![]() | Closed and demolished | |||
Tasek Gelugor | Tasek Gelugor | ETS 2 | |||
Penanti | Closed and demolished | ||||
Simpang Ampat | Simpang Ampat | 1 | |||
Nibong Tebal | Nibong Tebal | ETS 1 | |||
Parit Buntar | Parit Buntar | ![]() | ETS 1 | ||
Bagan Serai | Bagan Serai | ETS 1 | |||
Bukit Merah | Bukit Merah | Bukit Merah Laketown Resort | Closed and demolished | ||
Pondok Tanjung | Closed and demolished | ||||
Kamunting | Kamunting | 1 | |||
Taiping | Taiping | ETS 1 | |||
Bukit Berapit | Closed and demolished | ||||
Padang Rengas | Padang Rengas | ETS 1 | |||
Kuala Kangsar | Kuala Kangsar | ETS 1 | |||
Salak Utara | Closed and demolished | ||||
Sungai Siput | Sungai Siput | ETS 1 | |||
Chemor | Closed and demolished. Freights only | ||||
Tanjung Rambutan | Tanjung Rambutan | Closed | |||
Tasek | Ipoh | Currently not in use | |||
Ipoh | Ipoh | ETS 1 | |||
Lahat | Lahat Simpang Pulai | Freights only | |||
Batu Gajah | Batu Gajah | ETS | |||
Kota Bharu | Gopeng | Freights only | |||
Malim Nawar | Malim Nawar | Closed and demolished | |||
Kampar | Kampar | ETS | Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | ||
Tapah Road | Tapah Cameron Highlands | ETS | |||
Sungkai | Sungkai | ETS | |||
Trolak | Trolak | Closed and demolished | |||
Slim River | Slim River | ETS | |||
Behrang | Behrang | Currently not in use | |||
Tanjung Malim | Tanjung Malim | ETS 2 | Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) | ||
Kalumpang | ![]() | Closed and demolished. | |||
Kerling | Closed and demolished. | ||||
Kuala Kubu Bharu | Kuala Kubu Bharu | ETS 2 | Replaced the nearby station formerlyKuala Kubu Road. | ||
Rasa | Rasa | 2 | |||
Batang Kali | Batang Kali | ETS 2 | Replaced the nearby station formerlyUlu Yam. | ||
Serendah | Serendah | 2 | |||
Rawang | Rawang | ETS 2 | |||
Kuang | Kuang | 2 | |||
Sungai Buloh | Sungai Buloh | ETS 2 Interchange: 12 | |||
Kepong Sentral | Kepong Bandar Sri Damansara | ETS 2 Interchange: 12 | |||
Kepong | Kepong | ![]() | 2 | ||
Segambut | Segambut | 2 | |||
Putra | Kuala Lumpur (city centre) | 12 Interchange: 34 | |||
Bank Negara | Kuala Lumpur (city centre) | 12 Interchange: 34 | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kuala Lumpur (city centre) | ETS 12 Interchange: 59 | |||
Kuala Lumpur Sentral | Kuala Lumpur (city centre) Brickfields | ETS 12 Interchange: 5678910 | Central interchange for intercity and commuter trains, rapid transit, monorail and airport rail links | ||
Mid Valley | Mid Valley City | 1 Interchange: 25 | |||
Seputeh | Seputeh | 1 | |||
Salak Selatan | Salak South | 1 | |||
Bandar Tasik Selatan | Bandar Tasik Selatan Bandar Tun Razak | ETS 1 Interchange: 47 | Southern Integrated Terminal (TBS) | ||
Serdang | Seri Kembangan | ![]() | 1 | ||
Kajang | Kajang | ETS 1 Interchange: 9 | |||
Kajang 2 | Kajang 2 Bandar Baru Bangi | 1 | |||
UKM | UKM Bangi Lama | 1 | National University of Malaysia (UKM) | ||
Bangi | Bangi Lama | 1 | |||
Batang Benar | Batang Benar | ![]() | 1 | ||
Nilai | Nilai | 1 | |||
Labu | Labu | 1 | |||
Tiroi | Tiroi | 1 | |||
Seremban | Seremban Kuala Pilah Port Dickson | ETS 1 | |||
Senawang | Senawang | 1 | |||
Sungai Gadut | Sungai Gadut | 1 | |||
Rembau | Rembau | 1 | |||
Pulau Sebang/Tampin | Pulau Sebang Malacca City Alor Gajah Tampin | ![]() | ETS 1 | Melaka Heritage City | Main station serving Malacca |
Batang Melaka | Batang Melaka Jasin | ETS | Nearest Station to Jasin | ||
Air Kuning Selatan | ![]() | Closed and demolished | |||
Gemas | Gemas | ETS ![]() | Interchange withEast Coast railway line | ||
Batu Anam | ![]() | ![]() | Closed | ||
Segamat | Segamat Muar Tangkak | ETS ![]() | |||
Genuang | Genuang | ![]() | Freights only | ||
Tenang | Tenang | ![]() | Closed | ||
Labis | Labis | ![]() | |||
Bekok | Bekok | ![]() | |||
Beradin | Closed and demolished | ||||
Jagoh | Closed and demolished | ||||
Paloh | Paloh | ![]() | |||
Batang Ridan | Closed and demolished | ||||
Chamek | Chamek | ![]() | Closed | ||
Niyor | Closed and demolished | ||||
Kluang | Kluang Batu Pahat Mersing | ![]() | |||
Mengkibol | Mengkibol | ![]() | Freights only | ||
Renggam | Renggam | ![]() | |||
Layang-Layang | Layang-Layang | ![]() | |||
Sedenak | Closed and demolished | ||||
Kulai | Kulai Pontian | ![]() | Senai International Airport | ||
Skudai | Skudai | Freights only | |||
Tanjung Pelepas | Iskandar Puteri | Port of Tanjung Pelepas | Freights only | ||
Kempas Baru | Kempas | ![]() | |||
Danga City Mall | Johor Bahru | Danga City Mall | Closed | ||
Johor Bahru Sentral | Johor Bahru Kota Tinggi Pontian | ![]() | Southern Integrated Gateway | Interchange with Shuttle Tebrau to Singapore | |
Woodlands Train Checkpoint | Woodlands | ![]() | Shuttle Tebrau services only | ||
Bukit Timah | Bukit Timah | Closed | |||
Tanjong Pagar | Tanjong Pagar | Closed |
Station names | Cities or Towns served | Territory | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batu Junction between Segambut and Putra stations (Continue to main West Coast Line) | |||||
Sentul | Sentul | ![]() | 1 | ||
Batu Kentonmen | Batu Kentonmen Jalan Ipoh | 1 | |||
Kampung Batu | Bandar Baru Selayang Kampung Batu | 1 Interchange: 12 | |||
Taman Wahyu | Taman Wahyu | 1 | |||
Batu Caves | Batu Caves | ![]() | 1 |
Station names | Cities or Towns served | Territory | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Port Klang (Bangsar) Junction between KL Sentral and Mid Valley stations (Continue to main West Coast Line) | |||||
Abdullah Hukum | Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum Bangsar KL Eco City Mid Valley City | ![]() | 2 Interchange: 15 | ||
Angkasapuri | Angkasapuri | 2 | |||
Pantai Dalam | Pantai Dalam | 2 | |||
Petaling | Kampung Pasir Jalan Klang Lama Taman OUG | 2 | |||
Jalan Templer | Jalan Templer andPetaling Jaya | ![]() | 2 | ||
Kampung Dato Harun | Kampung Dato Harun | 2 | |||
Seri Setia | Seri Setia Sungai Way | 2 | |||
Setia Jaya | Sungai Way Bandar Sunway | 2 Interchange: B1 | |||
Subang Jaya | Subang Jaya | 210 Interchange: 5 | |||
Terminal Skypark | Subang | 10 | Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport | ||
Batu Tiga | Batu Tiga | 2 | |||
Shah Alam | Shah Alam | 2 | |||
Padang Jawa | Padang Jawa i-City UiTM | 2 | |||
Bukit Badak | Jalan Bukit Badak,Klang | 2 | |||
Klang | Klang (city centre) | 2 | |||
Teluk Pulai | Teluk Pulai | 2 | |||
Teluk Gadong | Teluk Gadong | 2 | |||
Kampung Raja Uda | Kampung Raja Uda | 2 | |||
Jalan Kastam | Jalan Kastam,Port Klang | 2 | |||
Port Klang | Port Klang | 2 | |||
(Continue toWest Port) |
Station names | Cities or Towns served | Territory | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bukit Mertajam Junction between Simpang Ampat and Tasek Gelugor stations (Continue to main West Coast Line) | |||||
Bukit Mertajam | Bukit Mertajam Kulim | ![]() | ETS 1 2 | ||
Bukit Tengah | Bukit Tengah | 1 2 | |||
Perai | Perai | Freights only | |||
Butterworth | Butterworth | ETS 1 2 | Penang Bridge Penang Sentral Port of Penang |