DEMAND for express bus services has remained largely unaffected by the introduction of the KTM Electric Train Service (ETS) between Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) and Johor Baru (JB Sentral).
Johor Bus Operators and Drivers Organisation chairman R. Thiagarajan said feedback from operators indicated that business has continued as usual since the ETS service began last December.
Passenger numbers during the Chinese New Year period in February were consistent with previous years, and operators expect a similar trend for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri travel season this month.
Thiagarajan said Malaysians typically showed strong interest in new public transport options, but the initial excitement tended to die down once commuters weigh convenience, cost and travel patterns.
“It is quite normal in Malaysia for new things to attract strong interest, but the hype does not last long,” he said.
He said express buses and the ETS were not competing directly, but complemented each other by offering travellers more than one choice.
Express buses, he said, have long formed the backbone of interstate travel across Peninsular Malaysia, connecting major cities, smaller towns and rural districts that rail services did not reach.
“The only real advantage for those choosing the ETS is during major festivities, when they can avoid highway congestion as vehicle numbers surge,” he said.
During non-festive periods, however, operators have observed a slight increase in weekday bus ridership since the ETS launch, suggesting that many commuters still prefer the flexibility and affordability of bus travel.
With regards to coverage gaps and price sensitivity, Thiagarajan said express buses remained essential for travel to the east coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, as well as the eastern parts of Johor, which are not served by the ETS network.
He added that price sensitivity continued to shape commuter decisions. Many travellers, including foreign workers, still preferred to pay RM30 to RM60 for a five- to six‑hour bus journey between Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur.
By comparison, ETS fares range from RM82 for standard class to RM150 and RM170 for higher‑tier seats, which may deter cost‑conscious passengers.
“Unless you have something urgent or an emergency, most people will not spend that much. The only faster alternative is to fly from Johor Baru to airports on the peninsula,” he said.
