JOHOR BARU: The upcoming Electric Train Service (ETS) connecting Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur is expected to power up tourism along its route, particularly in smaller towns, says Malaysian Tourist Guides Council (MTGC) president Jimmy Leong.
Leong, who met with officials from KTM Bhd last week, said ETS services in other locations are already seeing an 85% occupancy rate, with about 15% of passengers hopping on or off at smaller districts and towns.
“Based on the data shared during the meeting, the JB-KL ETS service is likely to see an even higher occupancy rate, given the route’s popularity among both local and foreign travellers,” he said when contacted.
Leong said the introduction of ETS service to Kluang earlier this year had significantly increased the district’s appeal to domestic tourists, highlighting the potential for smaller towns along the JB-KL route to benefit as well.
He noted that during the meeting, KTMB also reported that ETS has been maintaining a 99% punctuality rate, offering travellers a reliable option to reach their destinations.
Leong urged local councils to improve accessibility through enhanced local transportation, logistics and promotional efforts.
“The ETS service is not just about connecting Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur, but it is about opening opportunities for tourism growth and economic benefits across multiple districts.
“This will be crucial in attracting tourists to explore smaller towns along the ETS route,” he added.
Leong also said the new service can help attract Singaporeans and other foreign tourists to use the train, providing them an alternative to driving or flying northwards.
KTMB marked Monday as the launch of its ETS services to JB Sentral, with a special 30% discount for tickets on the KL Sentral-JB Sentral-KL Sentral route.
The promotion will run from Dec 12 to Jan 11, 2026, with 5,000 promo codes available for travellers who use the code JBBEST, subject to terms and conditions.
KTMB chief technical officer Ahmad Nizam Mohamed Amin said the initiative not only improves daily mobility, but also supports Johor’s tourism industry and economy by attracting more visitors, including Singaporeans.
Tickets can be purchased via the KITS Style application, KTMB’s official website at www.ktmb.com.my or at KTMB kiosk machines.
For more information, travellers can contact the KTMB Call Centre at 03-9779 1200.
