JOHOR BARU: As the festive break ends, travellers are relieved to be able to avoid gridlock by using the recently launched Johor Baru-Kuala Lumpur Electric Train Service (ETS).
Among those heading back for work or school was Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) student Ang June Sen, 21, who was thrilled he managed to secure train tickets and avoid the expected hours-long traffic congestion back to campus in Kampar, Perak.
“I normally take the bus but this time I decided to try the train since it is available and more affordable with the student discount,” Ang said.
The journey between his hometown in Pontian and Kampar, usually takes about eight hours, but can be much longer during festive seasons.
Ang said he boarded the train to KL Sentral before taking another train to Kampar.
Also excited to try the ETS for the first time was 19-year-old Han Yee Thian, who was returning to campus in Sepang.
“This is the first time I am taking the train. I only started my studies a few months ago, and this was the first time I returned home from campus for Chinese New Year.”
The Xiamen University Malaysia student said she will most likely be taking the ETS for future journeys.
Businesswoman Soh Yann Peng, 36, said she was relieved to be able to get her hands on the train tickets to travel between Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur.
She spent over six hours stuck in heavy traffic while travelling back for Chinese New Year last year.
“This year, I was able to get to Johor Baru in about four hours, and I believe my journey back to Kuala Lumpur will be just as smooth,” she said.
