KTMB Unveils 186 Additional Trains for Festive Travel

Post by : Shakul

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has declared the addition of 186 train services to cater to the rising passenger demand during the Hari Raya Aidiladha festivities and the forthcoming school holidays throughout Malaysia. The new services will operate from May 22 to June 7, 2026, covering key routes nationally.

KTMB's expanded offerings will incorporate both Electric Train Service (ETS) and EMU Plus trains, providing an extra 58,380 seats for travelers during this peak travel season. Tickets for these additional services will be available from May 9 via the KITS Style mobile app, KTMB's official site, and select ticket kiosks at railway stations.

The railway operator indicated that routes with high demand linking Kuala Lumpur to the northern and southern parts of Malaysia will see substantial service enhancements. For instance, the route from KL Sentral to Padang Besar will witness over 15,700 additional tickets for specific dates in May and June. Key routes like KL Sentral to Butterworth and KL Sentral to Ipoh will also benefit from numerous extra seats.

KTMB has also scheduled enhancements for the KL Sentral to Johor Bahru route, known as one of the most trafficked intercity rail connections during festive times. An additional nearly 19,000 tickets will be made available for travel between May 22 and June 7. Selected EMU Plus services between Klang and Ipoh will also be in operation during specific holiday periods to facilitate passenger travel across western Peninsular Malaysia.

According to KTMB Group CEO Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri, the increase in train services is a response to previous festive seasons' positive public response, notably during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. He noted that there has been a consistent rise in passenger demand, particularly for routes involving Johor Bahru and northern Malaysia.

Furthermore, the firm underscored the beneficial effects of the Malaysian government’s “Road to Rail” initiative. This campaign promotes the use of public transport over private vehicles for long-distance journeys, significantly enhancing public trust in rail services as a safer, comfortable, and efficient travel alternative.

In addition to extra ETS and EMU services, KTMB noted positive ticket sales for the special Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha train service that connects the East Coast with Kuala Lumpur. The company reported that almost half of the tickets for this service were sold after its announcement in April.

KTMB is also providing promotional reductions on select East Coast train services. Passengers on the ELA 1029 route from Tumpat to KL Sentral will benefit from a 30% discount on Superior Seater tickets starting May 11. Discount fares will begin at RM56 compared to the regular RM80 pricing, with a limited number of seats available.

Transportation experts assert that enhancing train services will help alleviate highway congestion during the holiday season and ensure safer travel for numerous passengers. KTMB advises travelers to book their tickets early due to anticipated high demand during this holiday period.

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