Riding the rails
Allure of train travel rediscovered in Southeast Asia
Trend of revival
Neglected for some time in favor of planes and cars, Malaysia's trains are enjoying a quiet resurgence — drawing not only commuters heading to work, but also adventurers and nostalgia seekers who believe that the best part about travel is the journey on the open track.
Today, there is a sense that the country is seeing a rail revival. Among the recent rail efforts are KTM's express ETS, which drastically shortens the travel time between stations. The service currently runs from Padang Besar, near the Thai border, to Kluang town in Johor Bahru.
By the end of 2025, the ETS will expand southward into Johor Bahru, cutting travel time between Johor state's capital city and Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, to around three and a half hours. This is half the current time taken on a KTM diesel train and comparable to a road journey via car or tour coach, but without the traffic congestion.
While riding the train to work is the best option for many commuters, KTM services also draw train buffs who enjoy rail travel and tourists seeking adventure, especially on the longer interstate routes.
