PUTRAJAYA: Train commuters are set to enjoy massive savings on travel fares, with the government announcing discounts of up to 90% on airport rail passes and 30% off intercity train tickets.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the multi-agency initiative, which covers Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), Express Rail Link (ERL) and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, is aimed at easing the public’s financial burden amid rising fuel costs.
Under the ERL’s targeted initiatives, Loke announced the introduction of the MyPutrajaya Monthly Travel Card for civil servants working or residing in Putrajaya and the MyKLIA Monthly Travel Card for Malaysians working at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2.
“Both programmes will offer unlimited travel during the promotion period, with users enjoying discounts of up to 90% compared to normal rates, depending on the travel sector,” he told a press conference yesterday.
For intercity travel, Loke said commuters travelling on weekdays will enjoy a 30% discount on KTMB tickets starting today.
The discount applies to all Electric Train Service (ETS) sectors, as well as the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran (ERT) service along the JB Sentral to Tumpat route.
“This initiative is offered for journeys from Monday to Thursday,” he said.
However, to ensure efficient train capacity management during peak periods, Loke said the 30% discount will not be applicable on school and public holidays.
The promotional booking period runs from today to April 30 this year and is valid for travel dates between today and Oct 14.
Passengers must purchase their tickets using a promotional code that will be announced by KTMB.
Loke added that the discounts do not apply to ETS Business Class tickets, ERT First Class and Sleeper Class tickets, or existing concession ticket holders.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing the RM50 My50 unlimited monthly travel pass for Prasarana rail and bus services, which is used by 40% of Klang Valley commuters.
“This initiative greatly benefits daily and regular commuters by ensuring continuous access to workplaces without additional financial burden while helping them plan their monthly expenses better following the rise in fuel costs,” he said.
Prasarana is also offering the Rapid Kota pass, priced at RM10 for one day and RM25 for three days for non-regular users.
For families, the Rapid Keluarga pass at RM30 offers unlimited one-day group travel for up to four people on weekends and public holidays.
“This pass aims to support families by offering a more affordable public transport option, enabling Malaysians to engage in family activities at a reduced cost in the Klang Valley,” Loke added.
Meanwhile, he said a RM50 discount will be given to Malaysians travelling between the peninsula and East Malaysia for the Gawai and Kaamatan festive celebration from May 15 to June 14.
Loke said this initiative by domestic airlines, such as Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Batik Air, will benefit 100,000 travellers.
“More details will be announced by the airlines,” he said, adding that the rebate involved a RM5mil allocation from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Loke said CAAM will extend the credit period for aviation fees and charges up to 60 days, effective May 1, to help sustain airline operations during this difficult period.
He said the ongoing crisis in the Middle East has significantly disrupted the aviation sector, especially affecting airlines operating in that region.
“This situation reached a critical level on March 1, when about 75% of daily scheduled flights to the region had to be cancelled,” Loke said.
He warned that if the geopolitical situation drags on, it could severely impact foreign tourists’ confidence in travelling.
“This could result in a loss of economic output ranging between RM15bil and RM150bil throughout 2026,” Loke said, adding that the ministry and CAAM had engaged with stakeholders to quickly roll out these relief measures.
Since the Middle East conflict began on Feb 28, the price of jet fuel has surged over 100% from about US$90 to US$197 (RM391 to RM857) as of April 10.
