IPOH: Electric Train Service (ETS) passengers can now travel from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar in style, with the introduction launch of ETS2’s Business Class.
ETS2 was launched today by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who rode the Business Class coach to here Ipoh from the Kuala Lumpur Old Station. He was accompanied by his consort, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, for the two-and-a-half hour train journey.
Business Class passengers will enjoy special amenities, such as travel kits, Video-On-Demand, USB ports, onboard assistance button and on-board meals. The reclining seats onboard the 36-seater business coach also can be turned 360° degrees.
Earlier, Sultan Nazrin signed an official plaque as part of the soft launch of the ETS2 before boarding the train, which departed at about 2pm.
On board, Sultan Nazrin was also given a tour of the driver’s cockpit and the train’s facilities, such as its cafe, the audio-visual system and the facilities for those with special needs.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) chairman Datuk Rameli Musa also gave a briefing of the development of the Klang Valley Double Track (KBDT).
The service is available for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar-KL Sentral route twice a day starting today from a total of 38 trips daily.
In Ipoh, the Perak ruler launched the Ipoh Train Integrated Development at the Ipoh Railway Station.
Also Present was Transport Minister Anthony Loke, his deputy, Kamaruddin Jaafar, and Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
About 200 guests from the Transport Ministry, Railway Assets Corp (RAC), KTMB, non-government organisation Women In Rail, university students and the media were invited on the train ride. from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.
At the Ipoh Train Integrated Development’s launching ceremony, Loke said the Ipoh Train Integrated development involved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Perak’s Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) and the RAC in July 5.
Under the MoU, a 68ha plot of land will be developed in stages and integrated with the transportation hub.
The plan will follow the transit-based development concept of KL Eco City, which was launched last year by the RAC, followed by the opening of the Abdullah Hukum Station.
“Ipoh was chosen as it had the Ipoh Railway Station since 1917, which is a main transportation hub.”
He said the development would include housing areas, hotels, academic institutions, mixed development, a commercial area and an eco-friendly area.
“ETS is a popular mode of public transportation. In Perak, the train journey passes through 14 stations, from Tanjung Malim to Parit Buntar.
“I was told that around 627,444 passengers used the service from the Ipoh Railway Station last year. I am confident when there are affordable housing areas here, there will be a higher number of train passengers.
“This will create more demand for other modes of transportation, such as taxi, e-hailing and bus services,” he said.
Tickets for ETS2 are now now available for purchase.
To date, 1,428 Business Class tickets for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar-KL Sentral trips scheduled between Oct 11 and Oct 31 have been sold.
In conjunction with the introduction of the new coaches, KTMB also announced promotional tickets at RM50 for adults for a one-way trip between KL Sentral and Ipoh and RM112 for KL Sentral and Padang Besar, for the period between Oct 11 and Nov 30.
Senior citizens, government retirees and their spouses, as well as people with disabilities and children aged 4 to 12 are eligible for discounts, while children aged 3 and below (without a seat) will not be charged.
KTMB passengers recorded 3.91 million passengers last year.
For more information on the ETS2 visit KTMB’s official website www.ktmb.com.my or ktmberhad (Facebook), ktmbofficial (Instagram), @ktm_berhad (Twitter) or call its 24-hour call centre at 03-2266 1200.