ETS Gold 9321dn is the only daytime train to proceed further down south from KL Sentral, and is the last train of the day from KL Sentral to Gemas departing at 12.08pm. For passengers who are still interested to use the train down south to the state of Johor, ETS Gold 9321dn is just one of two daily choices, now that the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector no longer connects properly with Ekspres Selatan services at Pulau Sebang (Tampin).
As it has been almost 2 years that I have not taken the train from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru or vice versa for that matter, I decided to take this trip just for the sake of it, for the sole purpose of taking the train rather than to get back to JB quickly.
My ticket for the ETS Gold 9321dn from KL Sentral to Gemas.
My onward ticket for the Ekspres Selatan 43dn from Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to JB Sentral. I had booked an overlapping portion between Pulau Sebang (Tampin) and Gemas for both trains so that I could decide on the spot where I felt like alighting later on.
About 10 minutes prior to departure, boarding calls were made in the form of shouting “Tampin Gemas JB! Tampin Gemas JB!”. Tickets are checked randomly by staff before entering the platform area.
Heading down to Platform 2, the southbound platform for my train to Gemas.
The coach locations on the platform.
Strangely, the information screens at Platform 2 showed only SkyPark Link departures.
Instead, the ETS Gold 9321dn information was displayed at Platform 1, which didn’t seem right.
True to my gut feeling, the ETS Gold 9321dn arrived at Platform 2. The train did something strangely redundant where it alighted passengers before the platform area where passengers to Gemas were all waiting, and then closed the doors, and moved up front to where we were actually waiting. For such a tight stop at KL Sentral, this seems like a redundant move.
Boarding the ETS Gold 9321dn at KL Sentral.
My seat for the 2.5-hour ride to Gemas.
The interior of the 93 Class ETS train.
The train was surprisingly early and there was a bit of time before departure.
Departing from KL Sentral right on time at 12.08pm.
Passing by Simpang Pelabuhan Klang.
The route map of the ETS Gold 9321dn from Butterworth to Gemas.
Saying goodbye to KL city as quickly as I arrived, and also goodbye to Bandar Malaysia and the Singapore-KL HSR as quickly as it was announced.
As the departure from KL Sentral was during lunch, I went over to the Bistro at Coach C to buy lunch.
A Surau is located beside the Bistro.
Personally, I’ve avoided riding on Coach C since the start of ETS services precisely because the Bistro is located there. It’s like sitting in a canteen throughout the journey since there’s no partition to the food part of the coach.
Making a brief stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan where as usual, Komuter passengers confuse this train for the Komuter.
The toilet available on board the 93 Class ETS train.
After departure from Bandar Tasik Selatan, the TC comes around to check for tickets.
Passing by the KLIA Ekspres heading back to KL Sentral.
Making a brief stop at Kajang.
I picked up my food from the Bistro at Kajang and brought it back to my seat to eat.
The friendly ETS Bistro staff drew me a thank you message for my order on the paper bag.
I got a Chicken Lasagna combo with Mineral Water for RM9 (~S$2.98).
Despite being a microwaved meal, the Chicken Lasagna actually turned out pretty tasty, both moist and cheesy enough for a Lasagna, which tends to dry out in a microwave. Not the most traditional meal to eat in Malaysia, but it works.
Passing by the future Kajang 2 Railway Station.
Entering the Seremban Tunnel.
Passing by the Seremban Yard with YDM4s still inside.
Making a brief stop at Seremban.
The remains of SCS06 from the Tanjung Malim crash are now at Seremban EMU Depot.
Making a brief stop at Pulau Sebang (Tampin). I opted to continue on to Gemas as it’s been a few years since I’ve last stepped foot into the town.
Departing from Pulau Sebang (Tampin).
Approaching Batang Melaka.
ETS services now stop at Batang Melaka with the new schedule.
The shortcut wye towards the East Coast Line to Tumpat before Gemas.
The Gemas Depot seen from the ETS train.
Approaching the junction to the }East Coast Line at Gemas.
The former Gemas Railway Station in the background.
Pulling into Gemas.
The ETS Gold 9321dn arrived at Gemas 6 minutes early.
The emptied-out interior of the 93 Class ETS train.
The ETS Gold 9321dn at Platform 5 of Gemas.
Exiting the platform to wait for my next Ekspres Selatan 43dn train as it was about an hour away.
Heading over to the main town side of the station.
Crossing the bridge over to the main station building on the town side.
Heading down out to the town as I had an hour to wait.
From here, I walked to the town to look for dinner for my next Ekspres Selatan 43dn train ride back down to JB.
Overall, the ETS itself is a good product but the timetable for the lines south of KL is a wreck, with this unbelievably being the last train of the day and requiring an hour’s transit at Gemas to continue the journey down south. Should I have gotten a bus instead, I may be already at the middle point of the journey south at Yong Peng. But oh well, the journey with KTM down to the southern state of Johor is now really just for the experience of riding the train rather than getting to the destination efficiently.
KTM Train Ticket Booking Methods
Kaedah Tempahan Tiket Keretapi KTM
- KTM Intercity counters
- Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
- Online from Baolau
- Online from BusOnlineTicket
- Online from Easybook
Online from the KTM E-Ticket System (additional RM2 surcharge)UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.
Tickets are open for sale in set periods about 60 days before departure except for the Shuttle Tebrau which opens 30 days before departure.
Hotel Booking
Tempahan Hotel
Attractions Booking
Tempahan Tarikan
- Klook (Get FREE $4.30/RM12.90 voucher for your first purchase when you sign up here! *subject to exchange rate)
How do I book tickets online?
Bagaimanakah saya menempah tiket dalam talian?
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for 12Go Asia.
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for Easybook.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to the KTM E-Ticket System.UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.
Links to the KTM E-Ticket System are strikethroughed due to KTM’s own admission of the instability of their system here after former Prime Minister Najib Razak personally posted on Facebook that there is such an issue here. Proceed using the KTM E-Ticket System at your own risk.
