PETALING JAYA: Remember the popular overnight train services in the past that provided comforting journeys from north to south?
The Ekspres Senandung Malam with sleeper coaches was phased out a decade ago, as KTM Bhd (KTMB) restructured its operations following the electrification and double-tracking of the rail network.
Train travellers are calling for the re-introduction of night services over the intercity Electric Train Service (ETS) network, which connects major cities and states across the peninsula.
A rehabilitation worker, who asked to be identified only as Deepu and travels weekly between Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur to meet patients, said an overnight ETS service departing around midnight would be ideal, as it would eliminate the need to find accommodation.
He said arriving from either end between 4am and 5am would enable passengers travelling for work purposes to continue their journeys seamlessly, by road or rail.
“Passengers can catch the first LRT or KTM trains in Kuala Lumpur after arriving and head on to where they need to be at first thing in the morning, like it used to be in the past.
“At the moment, the last ETS service from JB arrives in KL in the evening and one will have to look for lodging,” he said.
A check on the KTMB website showed that from June 1, the last ETS departing KL Sentral is at 8pm, arriving in Johor Baru after midnight, while the final service from JB Sentral to KL departs at about 4.20pm to arrive just past 8.30pm.
Deepu said rail travel was a safer and less stressful alternative compared with driving or taking overnight buses.
“Many people from Johor Baru travel to KL or Seremban for work. An overnight ETS would reduce both physical and mental stress of driving,” he said, adding that long-distance driving often involved multiple stops and fatigue.
Johor Baru-based accountant Syazurin Aziz, 35, said she frequently used the ETS to travel to Kuala Lumpur to visit her parents.
“I prefer the ETS because it is more convenient and cheaper than flights.”
Syazurin said an overnight ETS service would let passengers maximise their weekends with family.
“If there is a night train service from KL to Johor Baru, I can spend more time with my family over the weekend and then take a train back early Monday,” she said.
University student Amira Syakira, 22, in Selangor also called for overnight ETS services.
“Travellers can rest and sleep during the night journey between Johor Baru and the Klang Valley,” she said.
When contacted, KTMB said it currently operates eight daily ETS services on the KL Sentral-JB Sentral route, with four departures in each direction.
It said late-night rail operations were limited by ongoing infrastructure upgrades under the Klang Valley Double Tracking Project Phase 2 (KVDT2).
“These works require dedicated track access, including a full track closure between 9.30pm and 5.30am daily, with no train movements permitted on affected stretches,” it said.
As such, KTMB said the operational constraint currently limited the feasibility of introducing overnight ETS services.
“Upon completion of the KVDT2 project, KTMB will have greater operational flexibility to further refine its timetable and align service offerings more closely with evolving passenger travel needs.”
