Post by : Shakul

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has announced the introduction of 186 additional train services to accommodate increased passenger demand during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations and upcoming school holidays in Malaysia. The extra train operations will run from May 22 to June 7, 2026, covering several major routes across the country.

According to KTMB, the additional services involve both Electric Train Service (ETS) and EMU Plus trains. The move is expected to provide an additional 58,380 seats for travelers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Tickets for these special services will be available starting May 9 through the KITS Style mobile application, KTMB’s official website, and ticket kiosks at selected railway stations.

The railway operator stated that high-demand routes connecting Kuala Lumpur with northern and southern regions of Malaysia will receive the largest increase in services. The KL Sentral to Padang Besar route will offer more than 15,700 additional tickets for selected travel dates between May and June. Popular routes such as KL Sentral to Butterworth and KL Sentral to Ipoh will also receive thousands of additional seats.

KTMB also confirmed expanded services for the KL Sentral to Johor Bahru route, one of the country’s busiest intercity rail connections during festive periods. Nearly 19,000 extra tickets will be made available for travel between May 22 and June 7. Additional EMU Plus services between Klang and Ipoh will also operate during selected holiday dates to support passenger movement across the western region of Peninsular Malaysia.

KTMB Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri said the decision to increase train services was based on strong public response during previous festive seasons, including Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. He explained that passenger demand, especially for routes involving Johor Bahru and northern Malaysia, has continued to rise steadily.

The company also highlighted the positive impact of the Malaysian government’s “Road to Rail” initiative, which encourages citizens to use public transportation instead of private vehicles for long-distance travel. Officials believe the campaign has helped improve public confidence in railway services by promoting trains as a safer, more comfortable, and more efficient travel option.

In addition to the extra ETS and EMU services, KTMB reported encouraging ticket sales for the special Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha train service connecting the East Coast to Kuala Lumpur. The company stated that nearly half of the available tickets for the service have already been sold following its earlier announcement in April.

KTMB is also offering promotional discounts for selected East Coast train services. Passengers traveling on the ELA 1029 route from Tumpat to KL Sentral will receive a 30 percent discount on Superior Seater tickets starting May 11. Discounted ticket prices will begin at RM56 compared to the regular RM80 fare, with limited seats available.

Transportation experts believe the increase in train services will help reduce highway congestion during the festive season while supporting safer travel for thousands of passengers. KTMB officials encouraged travelers to book tickets early due to expected high demand throughout the holiday period.

#Asia News #Malaysia #Asia Travel #Travel & Wellness