Malaysia’s upgraded ETS promises faster, greener JB–KL travel, but can it rival HSR?
The long-delayed electrified double-tracking project (EDTP) in southern Malaysia is nearing completion, promising a faster, greener electric train service between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. While the vision of a Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) remains uncertain, the Electric Train Service (ETS) could redefine travel along the peninsula’s west coast.
ETS Promises Faster Journeys
By the end of 2025, the ETS extension to Johor Bahru is expected to cut travel time to Kuala Lumpur to just 3.5–4.5 hours, about half the duration of current diesel services. With trains running at speeds of up to 160 km/h and 22 trips daily, the RM9.5 billion (US$2.25 billion) project represents a major leap for Malaysia’s rail network.
RTS Link as a Game-Changer
The ETS gains further significance when combined with the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link, slated for completion in 2026. A seamless transfer from Woodlands North in Singapore to JB Sentral will allow passengers to reach Kuala Lumpur in around four hours—competitive with budget flights once waiting, transfers, and airport travel times are factored in.
Cheaper, Greener, and More Comfortable
Experts such as Rosli Azad Khan highlight the ETS as a practical, cost-effective alternative to road or air travel. A one-way ETS fare from Segamat to Penang costs about RM90, significantly less than flights from Senai to Penang which often exceed RM200. Commuters also benefit from reclining seats, air-conditioning, and reduced carbon emissions compared to cars and planes.
Delays Raise Questions of Trust
Originally planned for 2021, the ETS extension has faced setbacks from land acquisition, power supply issues, and pandemic-related pauses. Transport Minister Anthony Loke insists the line will be ready by end-2025, but analysts like Wan Agyl Wan Hassan remain skeptical. Critics warn that repeated delays without transparency risk eroding public confidence.
Complement or Substitute to HSR?
While Malaysia’s government now frames the ETS as a viable substitute to the HSR, analysts disagree. The HSR would have linked Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in just 90 minutes, directly targeting the business travel market. The ETS, in contrast, runs inland, serving domestic towns such as Segamat and Kluang. KTM’s acting CEO Ahmad Nizam emphasized that the ETS focuses on affordability and domestic mobility rather than competing with aviation.
Economic Ripple Effects
The new line is also expected to boost smaller towns along its route, spurring investment and tourism. In Johor Bahru, integration with future projects like the ART system could further improve connectivity. Analysts stress that seamless transit between RTS, ETS, and local transport is crucial to avoid bottlenecks at JB Sentral.
The ETS may not match the speed or prestige of the proposed HSR, but it represents a transformative shift for Malaysia’s rail system. For Malaysians, Singaporeans, and even Indonesians eyeing cross-border connectivity, the new service offers a greener, cheaper, and more practical alternative that could reshape how people and businesses move across the region.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Free Malaysia Today (2025)
Keywords: Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Electric Train Service, Double Tracking Project, High Speed Rail, Cross Border Travel
