KTMB finally switches on electric train

KUALA KANGSAR: The long awaited Electric Train Services (ETS) by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar will begin today.
Commuters travelling to the northern part of the country can book their tickets over the counter or online.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said KTMB had been asked to start the service twice daily in view of the coming Hari Raya celebration.
Currently the ETS operates on the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur route.
"We are expecting a larger number of commuters as travelling time will be reduced and they can travel in comfort," he told reporters after taking a 30-minute ride on the new ETS coaches from Batu Gajah to Kuala Kangsar.
Earlier, Liow visited the CRRC Rolling Stock Centre Malaysia (CRM) in Batu Gajah.
The centre provides rail transportation services like overhaul, refurbishment, testing assembly and production.
It is fully owned by CRRC Corporation of China.
Travelling time from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar is four hours and 45 minutes, while from Ipoh to Padang Besar it will be three hours and 10 minutes.
Tickets for the KL-Padang Besar route are priced at RM81.
There are 28 stations along the Kuala Lumpur- Padang Besar route. The train can carry 306 passengers on each service.
Meanwhile, Liow said a memorial service for MH17 victims will be held at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport at 10am on July 11.
He called on all Malaysians to observe a minute of silence as a sign of respect for those who perished on that day.
Flight MH17 was shot down in Ukraine on July 17 last year, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.