KLUANG: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) new Electric Train Service 3 (ETS3) southern route, launched on Saturday (Aug 30), is set to boost Johor tourism and ease local travel.
Passenger Siti Nornazfah Hasnan, 45, said the service would boost visitor numbers to Johor as travel had previously relied on slower conventional trains.
"I'm excited to take the ETS3 because it now takes only about three hours to Kluang, compared to over five hours previously. I hope the future service to Johor Baru will run on schedule as it will be a new attraction for the tourism sector," she said when met at Kluang Railway Station.
For Khairunnisa Abu Seman, 19, a student at Politeknik Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, the ETS3 has made it easier to return home to Sri Lalang, Kluang.
"I was surprised the trip only took two hours, compared with about three hours previously. Travelling by bus can take nearly four hours. This has modernised public transport and improved connectivity with Johor," she said.
Meanwhile, rail enthusiast Lim Ren Jie, 19, said he boarded the train solely to experience KTMB's new service.
"I'm very satisfied with the ETS3 facilities, which are more modern and comfortable, including a dining car, toilets and reclining seats. The three-hour journey was truly exciting," said Lim, who hails from Rawang, Selangor.
KTMB Southern Region senior manager Salim Misdi said the ETS3 operates a two-way service between KL Sentral and Kluang with six coaches.
"For the record, this morning's 7.45am trip from KL Sentral carried 280 passengers, while about 180 tickets for the 5pm Kluang-KL Sentral service had already been sold by noon. With tomorrow being a public holiday, we expect ticket sales to rise," he said on Saturday.
He added that KTMB hopes the ETS3 will become the preferred choice for passengers along the southern ETS route. - Bernama
