KTM Ekspres Selatan (Defunct)
Ekspres Selatan was a collection of daily train services between JB Sentral and Gemas since 9 May 2016, originally travelling along the unelectrified, single track line in the south to connect to and from ETS services running at higher speeds on the double track sectors to other central and northern destinations with the termination of through KTM Intercity services from JB Sentral to stations north of Gemas. With the progress of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP), the Ekspres Selatan operates as a relay for ETS services gradually being extended in stages. The Ekspres Selatan mainly serves the southern state of Johor. The last day of Ekspres Selatan operations was on 31 December 2025.
Ekspres Selatan adalah koleksi perkhidmatan keretapi harian antara JB Sentral dan Gemas sejak 9 Mei 2016, yang pada asalnya beroperasi di atas landasan tunggal tanpa elektrik di selatan untuk menyambung ke dan dari perkhidmatan ETS yang bergerak dengan kelajuan lebih tinggi di landasan berkembar menuju ke destinasi di bahagian tengah dan utara selepas penamatan perkhidmatan terus KTM Intercity dari JB Sentral ke stesen-stesen di utara Gemas. Dengan kemajuan Projek Landasan Berkembar Elektrifikasi Gemas–Johor Bahru (EDTP), Ekspres Selatan berfungsi sebagai perkhidmatan penghubung bagi ETS yang secara berperingkat dilanjutkan dalam beberapa fasa. Ekspres Selatan terutamanya berkhidmat untuk negeri selatan Johor. Ekspres Selatan akan ditamat beroperasi pada 31 Disember 2025. Hari terakhir operasi Ekspres Selatan ialah pada 31 Disember 2025.
From 1 February 2017 till 2 June 2018, the Ekspres Selatan was known as Shuttle.
On 11 November 2025, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke announced that the Transport Ministry plans to introduce a dedicated commuter train service on the Kulai–Johor Bahru route from the first quarter of 2026, using existing rolling stock that previously operated on the Ekspres Selatan while waiting for new train sets. The journey between Kulai and JB Sentral was announced to take around 20 minutes. There will be 16 northbound trains and 16 southbound trains per day, with a frequency of almost every half an hour. Bernama
The last day of Ekspres Selatan operations was on 31 December 2025.
Ekspres Selatan will not operate from 1 January 2026.
KTM Komuter Southern Sector (KTM Komuter Selatan) JB Sentral-Kulai
Ekspres Selatan Final Route Map
Peta Laluan Terakhir Ekspres Selatan
Ekspres Selatan Stopping Stations
Stesen Perhentian Ekspres Selatan
- Gemas Railway Station
- Segamat Railway Station
- Labis Railway Station
- Bekok Railway Station
- Paloh Railway Station
- Kluang Railway Station
- Rengam Railway Station
- Layang-Layang Railway Station
- Kulai Railway Station
- Kempas Baru Railway Station
- Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral)
History of KTM Ekspres Selatan
Ekspres Selatan was created out of necessity due to the split of ETS services on the newer electrified double track sectors and KTM Intercity services on the older non-electrified single track sectors, forcing commuters to change trains at Gemas to travel between southern destinations and the cities on the electrified double track sectors including Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and Padang Besar.
The 42up and 43dn Ekspres Selatan commenced service on 9 May 2016, and the 40up, 41dn, 44up and 45dn Ekspres Selatan commenced service on 19 May 2016.
At inception, 1 pair of Ekspres Selatan trains plied between JB Sentral and Pulau Sebang (Tampin), which uses a part of the electrified double track sectors, instead of terminating at Gemas, offering a less hectic option for those heading to and from Batang Melaka and Pulau Sebang (Tampin), and also somewhat providing a cheaper KTM Komuter alternative to train travel as opposed to paying for an ETS ticket.
Ekspres Selatan were initially made up of the typical ASC coaches of varying types.
From 1 September 2016, however, the 40up and 41dn Ekspres Selatan operated with refurbished BSC coaches which were stranded and damaged during the Kelantan floods in 2014. The train was formed of 7 Japanese-donated Blue Train coaches consisting of 5 BSC coaches and 2 BDNS coaches as a power generator, hauled by Hitachi-made 23 Class locomotive 23109 Ikhlas with much grandeur, forming a full Japanese consist.
On 31 January 2017, services to Batang Melaka and Pulau Sebang (Tampin) terminated, and all Ekspres Selatan trains plying between JB Sentral and Gemas were renamed to “Shuttle“, matching the actual service provided by the “Ekspres” Selatan, which actually makes stops at all stations in service and has no in-train catering service. However, the express fares remained.
From 3 June 2018, Shuttle was renamed to Ekspres Selatan again, and all 3 pairs of trains were extended to Pulau Sebang (Tampin).
From 1 July 2022, the final Ekspres Selatan timetable was introduced, shortening all trains back to Gemas once again. The final timetable allowed the same timetable to be used regardless of the progress of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP). This was due to the running times needing to be constantly changed throughout the single-track line as the EDTP progressed, but the final timetable kept crossing points constant. Upon completion of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP), this timetable was still used as tickets for all existing timings were already sold earlier. However, with the extra time on brand new tracks, trains usually arrived early at all stations.
The last day of operations for the Ekspres Selatan was on 31 December 2025.
Ekspres Selatan ceased to operate on 1 January 2026.
Ekspres Selatan ETS Relay (JB Sentral – KL Sentral) (Defunct)
Ekspres SELATAN: Southern ETS Link Alternative Train until Accomplishing Network
Train operations involving the term “relay” are services that function as connectors or shuttle trains on a main line that “relay” passengers between different rail sections or modes when direct through-service on a main line is unavailable due to construction, maintenance, or operational constraints. They facilitate smoother transfers, minimising disruption for passengers.
Ekspres Selatan times indicated are departure times of the respective trains. ETS times indicated are departure or arrival times of the respective trains, depending on the logical direction of travel. You may transfer to or from a connecting ETS service at stations before the overtaking station for northbound trains (JB Sentral to KL Sentral), or before or at the overtaking station for southbound trains (KL Sentral to JB Sentral). Same stopping stations but not applicable for relay are indicated as strikethrough due to ETS overtaking.
Stations between JB Sentral and Rengam are KTM Intercity-only stations without ETS services. ETS trains are available between Kluang and Butterworth/Padang Besar.
Through ticketing is not available. Passengers must check-out of the Automated Control Gate (ACG) at the transfer station with the first ticket and check-in through the Automated Control Gate (ACG) again with the second ticket.
The “ETS Relay” is a term and suggestion coined by RailTravel Station and not an official ticketing practice. RailTravel Station is not responsible in any way from any delays, disruptions, or inconveniences caused by any train or any connecting procedure.
Ekspres Selatan ETS Relay (KL Sentral to JB Sentral)
Ekspres Selatan 41dn (Relay from ETS Gold 9425dn)
- Gemas 02:00 (Connection from ETS Gold 9425dn 00:03)
- Segamat 02:36 (Connection from ETS Gold 9425dn 00:20)
- Labis 03:15
- Bekok 03:36
- Paloh 03:57
- Kluang 04:34
- Rengam 05:00
- Layang-Layang 05:15
- Kulai 05:42
- Kempas Baru 06:09
- JB Sentral 06:25
Ekspres Selatan 43dn (Relay from ETS Platinum 9511dn)
Gemas 09:30Segamat 10:06Labis 10:45(ETS Platinum 9511dn overtakes Ekspres Selatan 43dn here but passenger connection to Ekspres Selatan 43dn not possible due to ACG mismatch at exit station)- Bekok 11:06 (Connection from ETS Platinum 9511dn 10:52)
- Paloh 11:45 (Connection from ETS Platinum 9511dn 11:03)
- Kluang 12:22 (Connection from ETS Platinum 9511dn 11:18)
- Rengam 12:48
- Layang-Layang 13:03
- Kulai 13:30
- Kempas Baru 13:57
- JB Sentral 14:15
Ekspres Selatan 45dn (Relay from ETS Gold 9321dn)
- Gemas 15:20 (Connection from ETS Gold 9321dn 14:40)
- Segamat 15:56 (Connection from ETS Gold 9321dn 14:57)
- Labis 16:35
- Bekok 16:56
- Paloh 17:17
- Kluang 17:54
- Rengam 18:20
- Layang-Layang 18:35
- Kulai 19:02
- Kempas Baru 19:29
- JB Sentral 19:45
Ekspres Selatan ETS Relay (KL Sentral to JB Sentral)
Ekspres Selatan 42up (Relay to ETS Gold 9322up)
- JB Sentral 08:30
- Kempas Baru 08:50
- Layang-Layang 09:43
- Rengam 10:00
- Kluang 10:44
- Paloh 11:14
- Bekok 11:34
- Labis 11:59
- Segamat 12:40 (Connection to ETS Gold 9322up 15:35)
- Gemas 13:14 (Connection to ETS Gold 9322up 15:52)
Ekspres Selatan 44up (Relay to ETS Platinum 9514up)
- JB Sentral 14:40
- Kempas Baru 15:00
- Kulai 15:28
- Layang-Layang 15:53
- Rengam 16:10
- Kluang 16:46 (Connection to ETS Platinum 9514up 17:13)
- Paloh 17:06 (Connection to ETS Platinum 9514up 17:28)
- Bekok 17:27 (Connection to ETS Platinum 9514up 17:38)
Labis 17:51(ETS Platinum 9514up overtakes Ekspres Selatan 44up here but passenger connection to ETS Platinum 9514up not possible due to ACG mismatch at exit station)Segamat 18:32Gemas 19:06
Ekspres Selatan 46up (Overnight in Segamat/Gemas to ETS Gold 9420up the next day)
- JB Sentral 18:05
- Kempas Baru 18:25
- Kulai 19:08
- Layang-Layang 19:33
- Rengam 19:50
- Kluang 20:16
- Paloh 20:47
- Bekok 21:02
- Labis 21:27
- Segamat 22:13 (Overnight then to ETS Gold 9420up 07:55 +1 day)
- Gemas 22:47 (Overnight then to ETS Gold 9420up 08:12 +1 day)
Interior of Ekspres Selatan
Dalaman Ekspres Selatan
Superior Class (ASC Hyundai-Padu Sedia)
Trains 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 & 46
JB Sentral – Gemas
Superior Class (ASC ICF-Padu Sedia)
Trains 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 & 46
JB Sentral – Gemas
Ekspres Selatan Seating Plans
Pelan Tempat Duduk Ekspres Selatan
Not available till further notice.
Superior Class (ASC Hyundai-Padu Sedia)
Click on the image to enlarge.
Not available till further notice.
Superior Class (ASC ICF-Padu Sedia)
Click on the image to enlarge.
Ekspres Selatan Fares from KTM’s website
Tambang Ekspres Selatan dari laman web KTM
Unavailable.
Tidak ada.
Ekspres Selatan Journey Experiences
Pengalaman Perjalanan Ekspres Selatan
- Day 40: Ekspres Selatan from Gemas to Johor Bahru
- Ekspres Selatan: Johor Bahru to Gemas (and Kuala Lumpur) by Night Train
- Ekspres Selatan: (Kuala Lumpur and) Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to JB Sentral by Train
- Ekspres Selatan x ETS Gold: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur via Pulau Sebang (Tampin) by Train
- ETS Gold x Ekspres Selatan x Shuttle Tebrau: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by “Night Train”
- Goodbye Ekspres Selatan
- Ekspres Selatan – Last Run to Pulau Sebang (Tampin)
- Ekspres Selatan 43dn: Gemas to JB Sentral by Afternoon Train
- Ekspres Selatan 44up: JB Sentral to Pulau Sebang (Tampin) by Night Train – Truncated and Replaced with SCS 92 Class EMU
- Ekspres Selatan 42up: Johor Bahru Sentral to Kluang by Afternoon Train
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn: Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to Gemas by Night Train
- Ekspres Selatan 41dn: Gemas to Johor Bahru Sentral by Morning Train – Goodbye Paloh Railway Station
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to Kempas Baru by Train [ASC (Air-Conditioned Second Class)]
- Ekspres Selatan 43dn from Kluang to Kempas Baru by Train [ASC (Air-Conditioned Second Class)]
- Ekspres Selatan 41dn from Gemas to JB Sentral by Train
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral by Train
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral by Train (Connection from Kuala Lipis DMU)
- KTM Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral by Train (Connection from Butterworth (ETS Gold 9321dn))
- KTM Ekspres Selatan 42up from JB Sentral to Gemas by Train
- KTM Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral by Train (Connection from Bahau DMU)
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Kaedah Tempahan Tiket Keretapi KTM
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There is a few things that I don’t get. Previously, the Rakyat Express 2 from JB sentral to Kluang (ex.) takes around 2 hours cause it moves at a standard time of every morning at 0840 and reaches at 1044. The Express Selatan in comparison takes only about 1 hr 20 mins. What is surprising here is that Rakyat Express was a North-southern Express train calling only at major stations but Express Selatan is Shuttle calling at all halts and is much more faster to reach destination.
By schedule Express Selatan 40up still takes close to 2 hours (dep. JB Sentral 8.45am, arr. Kluang 10.37am).The difference is the previous Express Rakyat 2up had to cross with 2 trains, the Express Peninsular 20dn and Express Timuran 27dn. Now with both Rakyat and Peninsular gone, Express Selatan only has to cross with Express Timuran (at Kluang I presume).
That is the reason why the express rakyat it took about 2 hours cause it usually crosses with at least one train. I made a mistake. The express selatan from jb to kluang takes 2 hours but the reverse side which is from kluang to jb only takes about 1 hr and 15 minutes.
I have been using the KTM train day and night services since 1992.
The train coaches at that time were using electric fans as ventilation system beside the natural cool air from the opened windows.Great for sleeping at night as the cool air is really cold in the wee hours.
Then in 1994, the Korean coaches were introduced and marked as the first time air conditioning systems being introduced into KTM Senandung Malam and all the coaches services.
In somewhere 2015,the Senandung Sutera service from KL to JB and vice-versa with sleeping berths ceased.
Until January 2016, KTM train service ran coaches with seatings.As of April 19th 2016,the KTM Intercity services stopped totally replacing with Ekspres Selatan stopping at Gemas and passengers disembarked to change train service to ETS to continue journey to KL Sentral.
Some snobbish foreign passengers did not know that a train change was needed at Gemas to continue their journey south or north nearly missing boarding their train due to not asking when they are foolish.
The cleaning staff at ETS 92XX is a very hardworking man dedicated to his job.
The ETS 92XX service from Padang Besar to Gemas uses CSR Zhuzhou of China built coaches that are poorly designed.The space is cramped in 1A,1B,16A,16B seats facing the flat screen TV.The 2C,2D,15A,15B seats faced the glass sliding door and passage way. This where some passengers put their luggages due to luggage space constrained on the train.One passenger complained to me that my luggages were blocking the passage way.My luggage space was taken up by another passengers’luggages who put it there as they were not willing to put their luggages next to their seats.
The ETS 92XX train ticket for an adult costs RM31 (from Gemas-KL Sentral and vice-versa) nearing the price of a bus ticket from Larkin Bus Terminal Johor Bahru to Terminal Bandar Tasik Selatan at RM30-RM36.
The 43 & 44 SHUTTLE train coaches are using the same CSR Zhuzhou of China built coaches for the Gemas-JB Sentral and vice-versa routes.
The train passengers are grateful to KTM for allowing the passengers to sleep from JB Sentral to Gemas.However from Gemas-KL Sentral via ETS 92XX, the TV is on and so are the bright lights. This surely keeps everyone up from sleeping.
Many train passengers find the old Korean coaches were better in many ways than these coaches from CSR Zhuzhou of China even though the Korean coaches are in need of dire repairs and refurbishments.
There is actually one “not illogical but still illogical” way to get from JB to KL by train. I just tried this three days ago.
ES44
Dep JB Sentral 10:30pm
Arr Tampin 3:21am
– Layover –
Komuter 2008up
Dep Tampin 5:15am
Arr KL Sentral 7:31am (due to shit signalling. The train reaches Bandar Tasik Selatan much earlier at 7:05am)
The author is totally correct that using the bus is a better alternative due to the ever changing policy at the Malayan Railway Service.
I rode ES45 today after an ETS transfer and the ABC absolutely blew me away. The ladies served some real good Laksa, Lontong and Nasi Lemak (tak ayam tho), alongside some delicious looking snacks like hotdogs, cake, roti bakar, sandwiches and burgers.
The food and drinks were tons better than the catering offered on the ERT 😅 and ETS.