The KTM ETS, commercially known as ETS (Electric Train Service), is an
inter-city
Inter-city rail services are Express train, express trains that run services that connect cities over longer distances than Commuter rail, commuter or Regional rail, regional trains. They include rail services that are neither short-distance co ...
higher-speed rail service in
Malaysia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
operated by
Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (; Jawi: ) or 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. ...
(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
KTM Intercity () are diesel-hauled intercity train services in Peninsular Malaysia, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). Services operate along the East Coast Line between Tumpat and Gemas and on towards JB Sentral on the Wes ...
.
Having begun operations in 2010, the ETS is the fastest
metre-gauge
Metre-gauge railways ( US: meter-gauge railways) are narrow-gauge railways with track gauge of or 1 metre.
Metre gauge is used in around of tracks around the world. It was used by several European colonial powers including France, Britain and ...
train service in Malaysia and operates along the historical
KTM West Coast Line in western
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia, historically known as Malaya and also known as West Malaysia or the Malaysian Peninsula, is the western part of Malaysia that comprises the southern part of the Malay Peninsula on Mainland Southeast Asia and the list of isla ...
, which has since been electrified and double-tracked. The line runs from the north at , near the border with
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
, to in
Johor
Johor, also spelled Johore,'' is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. It borders with Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the north. Johor has maritime borders with Singapore ...
. A southern extension from to , near the border with
Singapore
Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
, is expected to begin operations in 2025, completing the rail electrification between the northern and southern borders.
The rail service is currently operated by the KTM Intercity Division. It was previously operated by ETS Sendirian Berhad, a fully owned subsidiary of
Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (; Jawi: ) or 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. ...
.
Train services
Routes
Odd-numbered train numbers denote southbound trains (trains bound for KL Sentral and Segamat). Even-numbered train numbers denote northbound trains (trains bound for Padang Besar, Butterworth, and Ipoh).
The ETS covers the section of the West Coast Main Line between near the
Malaysia-Thailand border and in
Johor
Johor, also spelled Johore,'' is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. It borders with Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the north. Johor has maritime borders with Singapore ...
, including the branch line between Junction and . The line from Segamat to Johor Bahru is currently undergoing double-tracking and electrification. Most routes originate from , the main railway station of
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur (KL), officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the capital city and a Federal Territories of Malaysia, federal territory of Malaysia. It is the largest city in the country, covering an area of with a census population ...
, the capital city of
Malaysia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
.
The ETS operates five routes, namely:
* -
* -
* -
* - via and
* - via and
Currently, there are five return trips on the - route, five return trips on the - route, four return trips on the - route, and one return trip each on the - and - routes daily. As of 2020, due to traveling restrictions and efforts to curb the pandemic, there were only two trips per day along the five routes that are currently under operation. As of 2022, all services have resumed 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.
On 15 March 2025, the ETS service was extended beyond station to the new station, which was rebuilt as part of the almost-complete Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrification and Double-Tracking project.
Services
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 (7 return trips), along with business class coach service
* Gold service with selected stops (5 return trips)
* Silver service with stops at all stations (1 return trip)
List of Stations
- via and KL Sentral
⇄ =
cross-platform interchange
A cross-platform interchange is a type of Interchange station, interchange between different lines at a metro (or other railway) station. The term originates with the London Underground; such layouts exist in other networks but are not commonly ...
- via and
⇄ =
cross-platform interchange
A cross-platform interchange is a type of Interchange station, interchange between different lines at a metro (or other railway) station. The term originates with the London Underground; such layouts exist in other networks but are not commonly ...
Ridership
History
First phase

The service was introduced by
Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (; Jawi: ) or 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. ...
(KTM) on 12 August 2010 between
Ipoh
Ipoh (, ) is the capital city of the Malaysian States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Perak. Located on the Kinta River, it is nearly north of Kuala Lumpur and southeast of George Town, Penang, George Town in neighbouring Penang ...
and
Seremban
Seremban (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Somban'') is a city in the Seremban District and the capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia. The city's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council, Seremban City Council. ...
following the completion of the electrification and double-tracking of the Rawang to Ipoh stretch of the
West Coast Line. Its inaugural run was celebrated with an opening ceremony at
Kuala Lumpur railway station. Initially, services stretched southwards to Seremban, but the
KL Sentral-
Seremban
Seremban (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Somban'') is a city in the Seremban District and the capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia. The city's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council, Seremban City Council. ...
sector was taken out of service in October 2012. 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 5
Class 91 electric trains.
Second phase

The service was extended from
Ipoh
Ipoh (, ) is the capital city of the Malaysian States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Perak. Located on the Kinta River, it is nearly north of Kuala Lumpur and southeast of George Town, Penang, George Town in neighbouring Penang ...
to
Padang Besar via
Butterworth, the mainland town opposite
George 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 the ''ETS Transit''.
On the following day, 11 July 2015, a new service called the ''ETS Ekspres'' between
KL Sentral and
Padang Besar, via
Butterworth was introduced, which only stops at 15 stations. Again, only one service for both directions was introduced. Subsequently, on 1 September 2015, an additional service between
KL Sentral and was introduced. New rolling stock, the
Class 93 trains, were introduced in conjunction with the extended service.
Third phase
On 10 October 2015, the ETS service was extended southwards from
KL Sentral to with the introduction of a new service between and . The extension of the KTM ETS service to utilizes the electrified double-track between and which was completed in 2014. This extension of service also saw the ETS service returning to after being discontinued in 2012.
On the same date, 10 October 2015, a new service was launched between and in addition to existing services. However, this service was subsequently reduced in frequency and ultimately terminated with the introduction of the new
KTM Komuter Northern Sector.
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.
Rolling stock
First Generation
Five KTM Class 91 train sets, each comprising six cars, were purchased by KTM for $67 million (USD). The train sets were designed by the
Marubeni
(, OSE: 8002, NSE: 8002) is a '' sōgō shōsha'' (general trading company) headquartered in Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the largest ''sogo shosha'' and has leading market shares in cereal and paper pulp trading as wel ...
Corporation and jointly built by
Hyundai Rotem
Hyundai Rotem Company, often referred to as Hyundai Rotem (), is a South Korean manufacturer of railway rolling stock, railway signalling, defense products and plant equipment. It is a member of Hyundai Motor Group and has presence in more than ...
of
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...
and
Mitsubishi Electric
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company was established in 1921 as a spin-off from the electrical machinery manufacturing d ...
of
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
. The maximum operational speed of the ETS fleet is , but the trains are designed to travel up to . 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. Each train set has a passenger seating capacity of 350 and includes on-board facilities such as toilets, a
buffet car
A buffet car (British English) or café car (American English) is a passenger railroad car, where food and Drink, beverages can be bought at a counter. , power sockets for every two seats, and two LED televisions per car.
Second Generation

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. 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.
Third Generation
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). The tender was awarded to
CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, with 8 out of 10 sets being manufactured in Malaysia. The first set was completed on 8 June 2024.
Longest and fastest metre-gauge trains in the world
The ETS trains currently travel up to on the
electrified metre gauge
Metre-gauge railways ( US: meter-gauge railways) are narrow-gauge railways with track gauge of or 1 metre.
Metre gauge is used in around of tracks around the world. It was used by several European colonial powers including France, Britain and ...
rail line. Due to the gauge, the service can be considered a
higher-speed rail (HrSR) limited-express service.
Similar services operate on
narrow gauge
A narrow-gauge railway (narrow-gauge railroad in the US) is a railway with a track gauge (distance between the rails) narrower than . Most narrow-gauge railways are between and .
Since narrow-gauge railways are usually built with Minimum railw ...
railways in other parts of the world: the ''
Kuroshio
The , also known as the Black Current or is a north-flowing, warm ocean current on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean basin. It was named for the deep blue appearance of its waters. Similar to the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, the Ku ...
,
Shirasagi,
Sonic
Sonic or Sonics may refer to:
Companies
*Sonic Drive-In, an American drive-in, fast-food restaurant chain
* Sonic (ISP), an Internet provider CLEC, serving more than 100 California communities
* Sonic Foundry, a computer software company whic ...
,'' and ''
Thunderbird'' limited express services in Japan, the
Taroko and
Puyuma Express in Taiwan, and the
Electric
Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter possessing an electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by Maxwel ...
and
Diesel Tilt Train services in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
.
The only similar metre gauge rail service currently operating is the
Renfe Feve on
Cercanías Asturias
Cercanías Asturias is a commuter rail service operating in Autonomous Community of Asturias, mainly in the central area of the region.
History
During the second half of the 20th century, Renfe operated several services on all the Iberian-ga ...
and
Euskotren Trena, specifically the
Bilbao
Bilbao is a city in northern Spain, the largest city in the Provinces of Spain, province of Biscay and in the Basque Country (greater region), Basque Country as a whole. It is also the largest city proper in northern Spain. Bilbao is the List o ...
-
Donostia inter-city rail line in northern
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
. This type of inter-state train service is quite similar to the
KTM Komuter Northern Sector regional commuter services.
Thus, the ETS stands as one of the fastest
metre gauge
Metre-gauge railways ( US: meter-gauge railways) are narrow-gauge railways with track gauge of or 1 metre.
Metre gauge is used in around of tracks around the world. It was used by several European colonial powers including France, Britain and ...
train services in the world, reaching a maximum speed of .
On-board service
Standard Class
The seats on the Class 93 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. The seats can be easily converted for wheelchair use if necessary. Each coach is equipped with LCD TV screens for entertainment, and toilets are available in every coach. The latest Class 93/2 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.
Business Class
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 trains and the future Class 94 trains.
Extension
Gemas – Johor Bahru Sentral
The
MYR
Million years ago, abbreviated as Mya, Myr (megayear) or Ma (megaannum), is a unit of time equal to (i.e. years), or approximately 31.6 teraseconds.
Usage
Myr is in common use in fields such as Earth science and cosmology. Myr is also used w ...
8 billion contract was expected to be tendered by the end of 2008, pending a mid-term review of the
Ninth Malaysia Plan. The project included building over of parallel railway tracks, including stations, depots, halts, yards, and bridges, as well as systems such as electrification, signaling, and communications. This included a realignment of the
Pulau 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 the
Government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive (government), execu ...
to build and upgrade tracks from
Gemas to
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru, abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Johor. It is the core city of Johor Bahru District, Malaysia's second-largest district by population and the second-largest district economy. Covering an area of ...
at a cost of
MYR
Million years ago, abbreviated as Mya, Myr (megayear) or Ma (megaannum), is a unit of time equal to (i.e. years), or approximately 31.6 teraseconds.
Usage
Myr is in common use in fields such as Earth science and cosmology. Myr is also used w ...
5 billion. The project was proposed on a
private finance initiative
The private finance initiative (PFI) was a United Kingdom government procurement policy aimed at creating "public–private partnerships" (PPPs) where private firms are contracted to complete and manage public projects. Initially launched in 1992 ...
basis, and the plan submitted to the
Ministry of Finance
A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position .
A ministry of finance's portfoli ...
in June 2009 was conditional upon signing over mineral rights in the state of
Johor
Johor, also spelled Johore,'' is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. It borders with Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the north. Johor has maritime borders with Singapore ...
.
On 29 January 2011, then Transport Minister
Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha stated that the Gemas - Johor Bahru double-tracking and electrification project 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 with
China 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 of tracks, estimated to cost between
MYR
Million years ago, abbreviated as Mya, Myr (megayear) or Ma (megaannum), is a unit of time equal to (i.e. years), or approximately 31.6 teraseconds.
Usage
Myr is in common use in fields such as Earth science and cosmology. Myr is also used w ...
6 billion and
MYR
Million years ago, abbreviated as Mya, Myr (megayear) or Ma (megaannum), is a unit of time equal to (i.e. years), or approximately 31.6 teraseconds.
Usage
Myr is in common use in fields such as Earth science and cosmology. Myr is also used w ...
7 billion, was projected to take three years.
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 company
CRCC was awarded the contract to carry out the project. Construction began in January 2018. The project was expected to be completed by mid-2023, but on 23 March 2023, it was announced that the extension would be delayed until mid-2025.
The length of the line to be electrified and double-tracked is between Chainage 563.040 at
Gemas and Chainage 754.180 at
JB Sentral. The project includes the construction of 11 stations at , , , , , , , , , , and , with three future stations planned at , , and Senai. The upgraded line is expected to accommodate at least 22 daily services involving ETS,
KTM Intercity
KTM Intercity () are diesel-hauled intercity train services in Peninsular Malaysia, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). Services operate along the East Coast Line between Tumpat and Gemas and on towards JB Sentral on the Wes ...
, shuttle train services, and
KTM 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 an
overhead catenary
An overhead line or overhead wire is an electrical cable that is used to transmit electrical energy to electric locomotives, Electric multiple unit, electric multiple units, trolleybuses or trams. The generic term used by the International Union ...
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 .
On 15 March 2025, the ETS services was extended to , which became the first station in
Johor
Johor, also spelled Johore,'' is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. It borders with Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the north. Johor has maritime borders with Singapore ...
to be served by the ETS,
as the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrification and Double-Tracking project (EDTP) is nearing completion, achieving a 99% completion rate as of 25 February 2025.
Two existing ETS Gold routes, namely the Padang Besar-Gemas route and Butterworth-Gemas route were extended to Segamat, with Segamat station becoming the new southern terminal of the ETS Service, replacing . Ticket sales for the newly extended ETS routes began on 12 March 2025 at 10:00AM.
Gallery
File:ETS 91 Kajang.jpg, Class 93 entering
File:KTM Class 93 Pulau Sebang 015347.jpg, Class 93 entering Pulau Sebang/Tampin
File:KLS ETS Platform.jpg, Class 93 at KL Sentral
File:ETS main trunk line.jpg, Class 93 passing Kampar, Perak
Kampar (Perak Malay: ''Kampo'') is a town located in the state of Perak, Malaysia, and serves as the administrative centre of Kampar District in Perak. Founded in 1887, the town lies within the Kinta Valley, an area rich with tin reserves. It w ...
heading North to
File:ETS Depot 7.27 (3).jpg, Class 91 and 93 at Batu Gajah Railway Depot
See also
*
Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (; Jawi: ) or 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. ...
**
KTM Intercity
KTM Intercity () are diesel-hauled intercity train services in Peninsular Malaysia, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). Services operate along the East Coast Line between Tumpat and Gemas and on towards JB Sentral on the Wes ...
and KTM ETS
***
KTM West Coast Line
***
KTM East Coast Line
**
KTM Komuter
***
Seremban Line
***
Port Klang Line
***
Skypark Link
***
Northern Sector
*
Rail transport in Malaysia
*
Public transport in Kuala Lumpur
References
External links
ETS Ticket Online - Compare and Buy ETS Ticket Online
{{Higher-speed rail
2010 establishments in Malaysia
Passenger rail transport in Malaysia
Railway services introduced in 2010
Keretapi Tanah Melayu