No, ETS from JB to KL will NOT launch in August 2025.
While many news outlets in Malaysia, Singapore, and some other parts of the world have recently jumped on the bandwagon to viral the launch of ETS (Electric Train Service) from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur in August 2025, you might have noticed that a certain railway travel site focusing on rail travel in Malaysia and Singapore has not mentioned this key event. Here’s why I believe the ETS from JB to KL will NOT launch in August 2025.
Cover image from YB Anthony Loke.
ETS from JB to KL & Padang Besar Will Launch in December 2025
A History of Various Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) Opening Dates
On 18 April 2019, then-Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was “slightly ahead of schedule” and was expected to be completed by October 2021. Malay Mail
On 12 July 2020, The Star announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was expected to be completed by October 2022. The Star
On 16 November 2022, then-Transport Minister YB Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was expected to be completed by mid-2023. The Star
On 28 March 2023, Johor Menteri Besar YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was expected to be completed by April 2026. Malay Mail
On 14 March 2024, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was scheduled to be fully completed on 21 April 2025, along with KTM Komuter Southern Sector (KTM Komuter Selatan) services on the Gemas – Paloh – Johor Bahru route. BH (Berita Harian)
On 5 November 2024, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced that all ETS3 trains are expected to be delivered by 12 August 2025. New Straits Times
On 7 January 2025, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was “on track for completion” by the third quarter of 2025. Bernama
On 25 February 2025, Media Digital Johor announced that the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) has reached 99% completion and is expected to be fully operational starting 21 April 2025. It will be followed by ETS services which is expected to operate from 12 August 2025, which is seen as capable of carrying between 300 to 500 passengers at a time, as well as being able to shorten the travel time from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur to 3 hours and 30 minutes. Media Digital Johor
As you can see, all announced opening dates from 2019 till now, except for the April 2026 launch announced by YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, have already been missed.
Chew Chong Sin at the Fourth Session of the 15th Johor State Assembly
At the Fourth Session of the 15th Johor State Assembly, YB Tuan Chew Chong Sin, Member of Johor State Legislative Assembly for Mengkibol, was briefed that the ETS will only be extended to Kluang in August 2025 and thereafter to JB Sentral in December 2025, and he posted this information onto his Facebook Page on 19 May 2025.
KTM’s Announcement at the Opening of Ruby Lounge at Butterworth Station
KTM announced at the opening of the Ruby Lounge at Butterworth Railway Station that they “have procured 10 ETS train sets, which are expected to operate on the Gemas-Johor Bahru route, beginning next year” (ie. 2026), as quoted by Malay Mail. While this may not mean entirely that the ETS extension to JB Sentral will not open until 2026 as older train sets can be used for the service instead, but with the heavy focus on the 94 Class ETS3 serving the JB-KL route, and combined with the above information by Chew Chong Sin, the new timeline, if it can be mentioned as such, seems to match up a bit, and there is no mention of an August 2025 launch at all.
Historical Announcement Delays
The Rawang-Ipoh Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) was completed in early 2008 but the first ETS service only ran on 12 August 2010 – more than 2 years later.
KTM announced a teaser for the ETS extension to Segamat to be launched on 1 July 2024, but the first train to Segamat only ran on 15 March 2025 – more than 7 months later.
No Overhead Lines (OHL) Installed at JB Sentral Yet
Beside Masjid Habib Hassan al-Attas (South of Danga City Mall)
Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) Platform 1
Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) Approach
I took these photos on 11 June 2025. The overhead lines (OHL) have not been installed at JB Sentral yet. Electric trains need electricity to run. With no OHL to provide electricity to the trains, electric trains cannot run.
There is less than 2 months to August 2025 from now. I think the historical precedence will continue. I will nevertheless be happy to be proved wrong.
Anthony Loke: ETS from JB to KL will launch in December 2025
ETS from JB to KL & Padang Besar Will Launch in December 2025
I was proved right.
On 29 July 2025, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced to The Straits Times (Singapore) that the Electric Train Service (ETS) is expected to begin operations from its northern terminus in Padang Besar to the southern terminus at JB Sentral from December 2025. The Straits Times
Anthony Loke: No delay to Segamat-JB stretch of electrified double track rail project
On 6 August 2025, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced at the Asean-China International Rail Transit Forum 2025 that is no delay to the work on the Segamat to Johor Baru stretch of the electrification and double tracking project (EDTP). The second phase of opening will be from Segamat to Kluang which is intended to open before 31 August 2025. The government is awaiting confirmation from a “very important person” who will be given the honour to drive the first ETS to Kluang. The Star
This is a rather intriguing statement to make about there being no delays as this is Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke’s fourth-recorded ETS launch date during his 2 tenures as Transport Minister, which had been on October 2021, 21 April 2025, and third quarter of 2025 previously. More launching dates have also been mentioned by other parties in the article above.
Thanks for this. I was looking at Coming over in August, but this may alter my plans.
So realistically, the best I can hope for is going from KL Sentral to Kluang by September 2025?
Personally I would just wait until tickets are actually being sold.
Hi
There is mention by YB Anthony Loke in Bangkok on 2 May that the direct Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok service will be resumed. Was there ever such a service in the past, other than the E&O? As I recall, all services to Bangkok began in Butterworth.
Not to my knowledge. I would also take that news with a massive pinch of salt as it was just a passing rhetorical question during a doorstop interview following the announcement of the Butterworth-Bangkok train service which sounds way more realistic.
For the matter, no overhead catenary systems were observed for the stretch of rail between Kulai and JB Sentral stations. These will need to be erected and tested with trial runs conducted with actual train sets before revenue service can commence. Doubtful all these activities will be completed by August.
Sohai keep delaying,
As expected its going to be delayed. So if anyone is planning on a seamless train ride by ETS from JB Sentral to KL Sentral, better think of alternatives. Or just travel from JB to Gemas and wait for 3 hours to board the afternoon ETS to KL.