PETALING JAYA: Many train commuters are taking advantage of a 30% discount on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) tickets by planning their journeys earlier instead of making last-minute bookings.
The initiative, announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke on April 14, applies to journeys from Mondays to Thursdays and covers all Electric Train Service (ETS) sectors as well as the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran (ERT) service along the JB Sentral-Tumpat route.
Train commuters have begun arranging their travel plans in advance to secure seats and enjoy the savings, especially ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations at the end of May.
Restaurant worker Mohamad Hafiz Khalid, 42, from Simpang Pulai, Perak, plans to get his ETS ticket a week earlier to return to his hometown in Sungai Petani, Kedah, for the festive season.
He said rising travel costs had made him worry about how much he needed to set aside for the trip, but that changed when the fare discount was introduced.
“A 30% discount is very meaningful for me because I can save some money for Raya expenses.
“I usually purchase tickets through the app at the very last minute, but now I can plan my trip home at least a week earlier to secure the seat and discount,” he said when contacted.
Mohamad Hafiz, who usually returns home once a month using ETS, said a one-way journey from Ipoh station to Sungai Petani normally costs more than RM30 and can be double the price during peak periods.
Contractor Farid Othman, 33, said he would use the ERT service from JB Sentral when travelling with his wife Izzah Hanafi, 29, and their children to her hometown in Kota Baru, Kelantan, a week before Hari Raya Aidiladha.
“The roads were terribly congested during Hari Raya Aidilfitri last month and the exhaustion from driving was beyond words.
“I definitely will not miss this opportunity because it helps reduce travel costs,” said Farid, who lives in Johor Baru.
Student Nur Alisha Najiha Muhammad Nasirruddin, 16, hopes similar promotions can be extended to school holiday periods in the future.
“My parents only allow me to travel with friends during school holidays, so I hope I can enjoy this promotion too one day,” said the teenager who lives in Putrajaya.
The promotional booking period runs from April 15 to April 30, with travel dates valid between April 15 and Oct 14 this year.
To enjoy the lower fares, passengers must purchase tickets using a promo code “MADANI30” that was announced by KTMB.
However, the 30% discount does not apply during school holidays or public holidays, and excludes ETS Business Class tickets, ERT First Class and Sleeper Class tickets, as well as existing concession ticket holders.
