KLIA Ekspres Combined Service: klia2 to KL Sentral by KLIA Transit Train Set

The KLIA Ekspres is my journey of choice into KL city as I have not taken it for 2 years. This time, the KLIA Ekspres operates a “combined service”, which is a nice and premium way of saying “no express only transit”.

However, after clearing Malaysia immigration and customs from my AirAsia VTL Flight AK710 from Singapore and Malaysia VTL On-Arrival RT-PCR Swab Test, it was 4.10pm. I had just missed the 4pm KLIA Ekspres Combined Service, and a long wait for the next train awaits me.

But no big issue, I’ll just see if I have any other transport options in to KL first.

Passing by the klia2 Express Rail Link (ERL) station with a 44 minute wait ahead of me.

klia2 Bus Terminal

I headed down to the bus terminal to see if there are any immediate departures, which would save me both money and time.

To my dismay, I was met with an empty bus berth and counter, with no buses ready for departure. The counter then informed me that the next available departures were at 5.30pm to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), and 6.00pm to KL Sentral. That’s a much longer waiting time than for the KLIA Ekspres Combined Service.

Back to the train I go.

The hoarded up side platforms of the klia2 Express Rail Link (ERL) station (or Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru High Speed Rail (HSR) station?) now have advertisements on it, although it would seriously look better with a proper wall instead with no HSR in sight.

10% Discount on KLIA Ekspres App

Heading back to the station to get my ticket.

However, instead of purchasing my return ticket from the ticket counter or kiosk for RM100, I used the KLIA Ekspres App instead for a 10% discount, which makes my return ticket RM90. Reasonable for the speed and scheduled departures and arrivals for this VTL trip I guess.

Download KLIA Ekspres App

 

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klia2

Scan the MySejahtera QR code to enter the station. All visitors to Malaysia must download and use MySejahtera. For locals who do not have MySejahtera, write your contact details in the book provided.

I scanned my phone on the QR code scanner to open the fare gate.

Welcome to Malaysia.

Heading down to Platform B. The KLIA Ekspres Combined Service uses the KLIA Transit Platform B at klia2 station.

With the hourly frequency on weekends, my train arrived 20 minutes departure at 4.40pm. As such, I could wait out the departure in air-conditioned comfort on board.

Looking towards JB or Singapore if Malaysia’s plan to use the ERL track for HSR ever gets under way.

Looking towards Bandar Malaysia if Malaysia’s plan to use the ERL track for HSR ever gets under way.

The interior of the KLIA Transit CRRC Changchun Equator EMU operating on the KLIA Ekspres Combined Service.

There are no luggage racks by the doors for KLIA Transit CRRC Changchun Equator EMUs. As such, I chose a bay seat of 4 to keep my luggage from rolling around.

The builder plate of CRRC Changchun above the gangway.

Power sockets are available at selected seats. This rescued my phone a little bit with no access to power sockets at the “world class designed lounge” while waiting for my negative PCR test result.

The route map of KLIA Transit as posted on board.

My train departed klia2 right on time at 5.00pm sharp.

KLIA

Arriving at KLIA after crossing over to the KLIA Ekspres tracks.

Understandably, there wasn’t a crowd waiting for the KLIA Ekspres Combined Service like pre-corona times.

At KLIA, the KLIA Ekspres Combined Service uses the KLIA Ekspres platforms when heading towards KL Sentral, and KLIA Transit platforms when heading towards klia2.

Passing by the former KLIA Transit platforms at KLIA.

Accelerating past the crossovers here since the train is in the right direction already.

Salak Tinggi

Making a brief stop at Salak Tinggi.

And the traditional trainspotting past the depot starts.

Seems like all the KLIA Ekspres Siemens Desiro ET 425 M train sets are not in operation on my travel date.

Other KLIA Transit train sets stabling in the depot.

Maintenance of way vehicles in the depot.

Putrajaya & Cyberjaya

The Putrajaya Sentral MRT Station is coming up quite nicely beside Putrajaya & Cyberjaya.

Making a brief stop at Putrajaya & Cyberjaya.

Putrajaya & Cyberjaya is also where the 2 train sets of the hourly KLIA Ekspres Combined Service meet as scheduled.

Some background music from the information screens.

Passing by Dewi Sri Maha Karumariamman Temple Serdang.

And this marks the meet with KTM tracks again.

Passing by Serdang Railway Station.

Passing by the Mines North Toll Plaza towards Sungai Besi on the Sungai Besi Expressway.

Sungai Besi MRT Station is coming along quite nicely too.

Bandar Tasik Selatan

Approaching Bandar Tasik Selatan with a Rapid KL Sri Petaling Line departing.

Making a brief stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan.

Departing from Bandar Tasik Selatan with a view of Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station.

The Rapid KL Sri Petaling Line splits off here heading towards Bandar Tun Razak, Chan Sow Lin, and Sentul Timur.

The Express Rail Link (ERL) provides the most welcoming view to KL when passing by the former Sempang Airport and future Bandar Malaysia.

A couple more interior shots of the KLIA Transit CRRC Changchun Equator EMU.

Passing by Mid Valley Megamall.

Passing above MidValley Railway Halt.

Passing by Simpang Pelabuhan Klang.

Passing by Bangsar LRT Station.

KL Sentral

My KLIA Ekspres Combined Service arrived at KL Sentral early at 5.38pm – 2 minutes ahead of schedule.

Platform 2 is now for arrival trains only. The empty train set proceeds on to the turnback siding, and then picks up passengers from Platform 3 later once ready.

An empty KLIA Transit Siemens Desiro ET 425 M train set stabling at the KLIA Ekspres departure platform.

Passengers for the KLIA Ekspres Combined Service and KLIA Transit board the train at Platform 3.

Heading up the escalator to the concourse.

Heading out of the ticket gates.

And hello once again, Kuala Lumpur. I’ve missed you.

Conclusion

Overall, despite the long wait of 44 minutes, the KLIA Ekspres Combined Service was still the fastest way to get from klia2 to Kuala Lumpur city due to a lack of overall public transport frequency from klia2.

The cost of RM90 for a return ticket was also way higher than the bus, but 1. there was no bus and 2. after paying more than S$1,000 in tickets, hotels, and COVID-19 tests already, another RM90 didn’t feel so bad.

I guess this fare is to target long-haul tourists pre-COVID who wouldn’t mind paying the premium as it would look low as compared to high air ticket prices.

It’s a bit of an unfair pricing since the inception of Express Rail Link (ERL) where KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit fares don’t match up. Now that passengers don’t actually get an express option any more, but still are paying the full Ekspres fare, it only just feels more unfair.

As an infrequent commute on a high cost trip, this is fine I guess? But for regular commuters, this is an unfair pricing and not very affordable.