Keretapi Tanah Melayu

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Image:Normal KTMB.jpg

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or the Malayan Railway is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. Formerly as an agency which came under the Malayan Railway Administration, it became to known as Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM Bhd or KTMB) after the government-led corporatisation in 1992, however, remained wholly owned by the federal government. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was first built to transport tin. Fares are generally reasonable, but the low speed of the trains on the narrow-gauge tracks does not usually make them competitive with other modes of transportation.

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The railway network

The railway network in Peninsular Malaysia controlled by KTM consists of two main lines and several branch lines.

The West Coast line runs from Padang Besar on the Malaysian-Thai border in Perlis (where it connects with the State Railway of Thailand's network) to Singapore via Butterworth (for connections to Penang) and Kuala Lumpur. It is called the West Coast line because it serves the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.

The East Coast line runs between Gemas in Negeri Sembilan and Tumpat in Kelantan. Gemas is the rail junction between the West Coast and East Coast lines. Like the West Coast line, it is called the East Coast line because it serves two of Peninsular Malaysia's East Coast states, namely Pahang and Kelantan. In fact, it does not run along the coast at all and only meets the South China Sea when it terminates in Tumpat. It runs through the interior, often through deep jungle, thus earning the nickname "Jungle Railway". Terengganu is the only state in Peninsular Malaysia not served by the railway line.

There are several branch lines running from the two main lines. They are the Kuala Lumpur-Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur-Sentul, Seremban-Port Dickson, Kempas-Tanjung Pelepas, Kempas-Pasir Gudang and the Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang branch lines. Several other branch lines existed previously but have been removed. They include the Taiping-Port Weld branch line which was Malaysia's first railway line, Tapah Road-Teluk Intan and the Tampin-Malacca branch lines.

The total length of the network is 1,699 km.

There are several other railway lines not under the control of KTM (please see below).

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KTM Intercity

KTM operates several intercity train services under the brand name KTM Antarabandar (KTM Intercity). Most of the services operate from Kuala Lumpur Sentral station in Kuala Lumpur. However, there are several train services which operate solely along the East Coast line between Tumpat and Gemas and then followed on to Singapore. There is also one cross-border train service operating between Butterworth and Bangkok, Thailand.

There are two types of intercity train services: express and mail trains. Mail trains are also commonly referred to as local trains. All passenger trains along the West Coast line - except for one local train service between Singapore and Gemas - are express trains which only stop at major stations. The East Coast line still has mail trains which stop at all stations and halts.

KTM also operates a shuttle service between Johor Bahru and Singapore for the benefit of those commuting to the city-state for work.

The current services in operation are:

  • Ekonomi Siang - Daily second-class local train between Singapore and Gemas
  • Ekspres Rakyat - Daily express between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore
  • Ekspres Timuran - Daily night express between Singapore and Tumpat
  • Ekspres Wau - Daily night express between Kuala Lumpur and Tumpat
  • International Express - Daily express between Butterworth and Bangkok
  • Mail trains - Eight daily mail train services operate on various sections of the mainline between Tumpat and Singapore. The East Coast Line, where it serves passengers mainly, branches of at the once-very-busy Gemas station. Though it is called Mail Trains, not all of them carry Mail. Mail is only caried on the East Coast branchline (Gemas-Tumpat).
  • Senandung Langkawi - Daily night express between Kuala Lumpur and Hatyai via Butterworth
  • Senandung Malam - Daily night express between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore
  • Ekspres Sinaran Pagi - Daily morning express from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
  • Ekspres Sinaran Petang - Daily afternoon express from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
  • Shuttle service - One return trip daily between Johor Bahru and Singapore
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KTM Komuter

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KTM Komuter is an electrified commuter train service first introduced in 1995, catering especially to commuters in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding suburban areas. It is a popular mode of transportation for commuters working in Kuala Lumpur, as they can travel to the city without the hassle of traffic congestion. Coaches are modern and air-conditioned. For those who drive to the stations/halts, 'Park & Ride' facility is provided at a nominal charge.

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Using the KTM Komuter

KTM Komuter's 153 km network has 41 stations and consists of two lines, namely the Sentul-Port Klang and Rawang-Seremban lines.

Transfers between the two lines can be done at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur and Putra stations. Stair-climbing or escalator-use may be required at KL Sentral and Putra, while cross-platform transfers can be conveniently done at Kuala Lumpur.

KTM Komuter has made shopping complexes and recreational centres more accessible. The new Mid Valley KTM Komuter station, which opened in 2004 next to the Mid Valley Megamall, has proven particularly popular. Other shopping centres located near KTM Komuter stations are Subang Parade and Carrefour Subang Jaya (near Subang Jaya station),

Passengers bound for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport have the option of taking the KTM Komuter to Nilai KTM Komuter halt and board a bus from there to KLIA at RM2.50 per trip.

KTM Komuter tickets can be purchased at counters or by using Ticket Vending Machines which are available at all stations and halts.

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Extensions

  • A new KTM Komuter station to be called Kepong Sentral is being built between Kepong and Sungai Buloh stations on the Rawang-Seremban line. The new station will be located beside the Middle Ring Road Two in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Kepong. This new station that is being constructed next to the Desa Complex, Kepong and located at the north of the existing Kepong Station. It is expected to be completed in May 2006.
  • The Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking project will also allow the KTM Komuter service to be extended to Tanjung Malim on the Selangor-Perak border, nearly 100 km from Kuala Lumpur. The total length of this extension from Rawang to Ipoh is around 179 km and it will be able to handle maximum speed of 160 km/h. KTMB plan to introduce a rapid intercity service, between Ipoh – Sentral KL for 16 services a day and ultimately 32 services a day This project is expect to be completed by early 2008 and it will cut down the journey time of KL-Ipoh to 2.5 hours.
  • A 7.2 km, four-station extension from Sentul to Batu Caves has been approved. The project will electrify, double-track and refit the existing old track, as well as building new stations. Construction is expected to start in 2005 and to be completed in 2007-2008. The Sentul station is part of the Sentul Raya masterplan development under YTL.
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Railway development in Malaysia

  • Rehabilitation of 327 Kms. track (Mtr. Gauge) from PALOH to SINGAPORE & from SLIM RIVER to SEREMBAN MAIN LINE in MALAYSIA (1988-1994)- US$ 70 million
  • Double tracking of RAWANG SEREMBAN railway line in MALAYSIA (1990- 1994)- US$ 62 million
  • Double tracking of KL PORT KLANG railway line (including spur line to SUBANG and SENTUL) in MALAYSIA (1991-1994)- US$ 66 million
  • Widening of railway tunnel near SEREMBAN in MALAYSIA (1994-1995)- US$ 4 million
  • Track linking from PORT KLANG to PULAU INDAH in MALAYSIA (1997-1999)-US$ 4 million
  • Construction of railway bridges, road over bridges and underpasses on RAWANG KAJANG section in MALAYSIA (1991-1994)- US$ 6 million
  • Construction of railway bridges, road over bridges and underpasses on KAJANG SEREMBAN section in MALAYSIA (1991-1994)- US$ 16 million
  • Construction of railway culverts and box pushing on NILAI SEREMBAN section in MALAYSIA (1994- 1995)-US$ 4 million
  • Construction of PELABUHAN TANJUNG- PELEPAS- JOHOR rail link in MALAYSIA (1999- 2002)- US$ 121 million
  • Track works at KUALA LUMPUR Sentral station (1999-2001)-RM 14.3 million


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List of KTM Intercity stations

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North-South Line

(Continue to Thai Railway)

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East Coast Line

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Rantau Panjang Line

(Continue to Thai Railway)

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Other development

  • Upgrading of Tampin (2006) and Ipoh Station
  • Construction of JB Sentral train station that links to the CIQ complex under the project Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu. It is expected to be completed by Sept 2006.
  • Hopefully with the new JB Sentral, KTMB can offer frequent Kommuter services from Kulai-Senai-Kempas Baru-JB- Singapore. This arrangement will be popular since they can tap into the Singapore passenger taking Air Asia flight from Senai Airport, freight and also Johoreans working in Singapore. For this to become a reality, Kulai/Senai to JB need to be double tracked
  • Kempas Baru railway station will become as interchange between Kulai-Senai-Plentong-Pasir Gudang line and Kulai-Senai-Johor Bahru-Singapore line
  • Senai being a logistic, freight and passenger hub with PTP and Pasir Gudang can well be complemented by KTM ie air, sea and rail linkages
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Modernisation

Since corporatisation of KTMB, a programme of modernisation has been underway, but the ambitious project of electrifying and double-tracking the entire western line has been put on hold until further notice by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Work is still proceeding on double-tracking and upgrading the 180-km stretch from Rawang to Ipoh, but the project has been repeatedly delayed by contractual disputes and not expected to be ready before 2007. When complete, KTM expects to introduce frequent intercity service (16 trains/day) at 160 km/hour.

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Other Malaysian train services

There are several other railway lines in Malaysia which do not come under the control of KTM.

  • Malaysia's national petroleum company Petronas owns a railway line which links its oil refinery complex in Kerteh, Terengganu, with the petrochemical complex in Gebeng, Kuantan and Kuantan Port near Kuantan, Pahang. The line is exclusively used to transport petroleum products.
  • Many oil palm plantations operate small, narrow-gauge, light railways to transport oil palm fruits to mills. One such example is in United Plantations in Jenderata, Perak.
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See also

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External links

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