A new rail alternative is set to transform the daily grind of thousands of commuters in the industrial heart of Johor.
A recent trial run of the upcoming KTM Komuter service linking Kempas Baru and Pasir Gudang clocked a travel time of just 35 to 40 minutes.
It is a duration Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ) says beats the equivalent road journey.
In a social media post, PAJ said the rail service offered a more consistent and reliable alternative to the unpredictable congestion faced by motorists on the road.
State public works, transport, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh joined PAJ chief executive officer Mohd Fa’iz Salehon and the KTM Bhd team for the assessment.
The southern sector service is expected to begin operations later this year.
It is positioned as a strategic lifeline for industrial workers in Pasir Gudang and those commuting to Johor Baru city centre.
“The service is also one of the main modes identified in the state’s traffic dispersal strategy,” PAJ said.
The service is designed to integrate with the public bus network and park-and-ride facilities at selected stations to ensure smoother first- and last-mile connectivity.
The initiative aligns with the state’s broader goal of strengthening public transport in Greater Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang, particularly as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) continues to develop.
The 40km line was originally built for cargo transport from the port, but its conversion to a passenger service is a key part of modernising the state’s infrastructure.
Earlier, Mohamad Fazli proposed the addition of new stations in Taman Daya, Bandar Seri Alam and Pasir Putih to further expand the reach of the network.
