Commuter rail to service north soon

PETALING JAYA: Kedah, Penang and Perak will be linked by a KTM Komuter train service which may be running by next month.

Believed to be known as Komuter Utara, the service will connect Gurun (Kedah) to Kamunting (Perak) with a detour towards Butterworth (Penang).

A total of 11 stations will be linked in this service, which first appeared on a route map in an image which spread on social media on Sunday.

The image was supposedly taken from the inside of a KTM Komuter train in the Klang Valley.

Stations such as Tasek Gelugor, Sungai Petani, Bukit Tengah and Nibong Tebal were included as stops on what would be Malaysia’s first northern commuter rail line.

KTMB chairman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad, who confirmed the service, said the track from Gurun to Kamunting was already finished.

“This is for Komuter Utara every hour.

“It hasn’t received SPAD (Land Public Transport Commission) approval. If approved, we will start it,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

He said the Komuter trains to be used on this track were not ready yet.

SPAD officials could not be reached for comment.