JOHOR BARU: Two weeks ago, Nor Syuhadah Hani, 26, was involved in an accident that left her car badly damaged.
But it turned out to be blessing in disguise. She and her family are now going back to their kampung in Ipoh by train, an experience they are looking forward to.
The Electric Train Service (ETS) between Johor and Kuala Lumpur began on Dec 13.
After the accident, she and her husband, Muhammad Aliff Danial Nazaruddin, had been frantically looking for other last-minute travel options.
“Initially, we were more keen on taking the bus as it is much cheaper but we eventually decided on the new ETS because we wanted something more comfortable since we are travelling with our two-year-old son.
“The tickets were selling very fast, but thankfully we were still able to get them less than two weeks before Hari Raya,” she said.
The couple, who both work as hairstylists in Singapore, were among those who were able to travel to their hometown using the ETS for Hari Raya for the first time.
“We are travelling to Kuala Lumpur and later taking another train to Ipoh.
“It’s a good thing. We will be able avoid being stuck in heavy congestion, which could make the trip to Ipoh last for more than 10 hours,” she said.
“The train is now our family’s favourite mode of transport.”
Many agree. All ETS tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and Padang Besar have been sold out, and only limited seats remain for the southern route.
A total of 217,000 ETS tickets for the Hari Raya period have been sold as at 9am yesterday, out of 257,000 tickets offered, said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd chief operating officer Afzar Zakariya.
He said only about 35,000 tickets were still available, mainly for trips to Kuala Lumpur.
Teacher Jalilah Syazana, 32, is one person who is looking forward to a quicker trip home to Seremban, thank to the ETS.
“I have been travelling home by bus or car all this time, including during the festive season and it typically takes around four to five hours.
“This time, I chose the ETS so I could experience the new train,” said Jalilah, who will be travelling with her two daughters.
