KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2018up: Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to KL Sentral by Train

KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2018up is the third train of the day departing from Pulau Sebang (Tampin). The 136-minutes-delayed 44up Ekspres Selatan from JB Sentral which I had just disembarked from did not allow me to get the first train out of Tampin despite my overnight journey, snowballing into a delay of my arrival at KL Sentral as well. Sigh, one of the rare times I’m taking KTM to KL and this happens.

Heading back to the station building after a failed attempt at finding breakfast.

The missing “TAMPIN” on the station sign along the driveway. So I guess Tampin will no longer be mentioned in future?

About half an hour before the train’s departure, the ticket counters opened for passengers to purchase a Komuter Link card or to reload their existing Komuter Link card. Pulau Sebang (Tampin) does not have any reload facilities for Touch ‘n Go. Cash purchase (token) is only allowed for children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities only.

The closed ticket line before the train’s departure.

About 15 minutes before the train’s departure, the ticket line was open with station staff calling for passengers to KL.

As I was using Touch ‘n Go, I headed for the Touch ‘n Go open lane.

Tapping my Touch ‘n Go card on the entry machine. Thankfully, I had more than enough credit for the journey to KL Sentral.

Some Malaccan arts and crafts on display after the ticket gates.

Heading to the platform.

Goodbye Melaka.

The KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector trains for Seremban, KL Sentral and Batu Caves depart from Platforms 1 and 2.

Heading down the stairs to the platform.

Hmm, this train and platform looks similar?

The destination sign of “KL Sentral” as stated around the train. Due to the KVDT upgrading works, most trains from Pulau Sebang (Tampin) do not continue on to Batu Caves but terminate at KL Sentral instead.

Yup, the same SCS05 which operated on the delayed 44up Ekspres Selatan and got me from Gemas to here is now operating on my train to KL Sentral.

Push the button to open doors.

The interior of the first coach of the SCS 92 Class, which I’m definitely not sitting here in this fully longitudinal seating for the long journey to KL Sentral.

The lit-up buttons for the doors as it is manually operated and automatically closed at terminals to keep the air-conditioning in the train.

The route information on board SCS05 for the journey to KL Sentral.

The dymanic route maps light up until KL Sentral only.

Seems like there are lights already prepared for Pulau Sebang (Tampin) and Rembau, but KTM still has not replaced the plastic covering of the old route map.

The interior of the 4 middle coaches of the SCS 92 Class, which I’m choosing to sit in.

Definitely getting a transverse seat for this 2-hour journey.

The legroom on board the 92 Class EMU. This is so much more comfortable than the KTM Intercity ASC I was in.

Departing from Pulau Sebang (Tampin) on time at 7.00am with the sun starting to rise.

Exiting from Melaka.

Deforestation right in front of my eyes.

Flying on the viaducts at Sungai Kadut.

Passing by the end of the Seremban EMU Depot with the line curving towards the former Port Dickson line.

Passing by the Seremban EMU Depot.

Making a brief stop at Seremban with more passengers boarding.

Some stray chickens outside Labu station.

Passing by Kajang 2.

Passing through the future Kajang 2 Railway Station.

Making a brief stop at Kajang Railway Station where half the train alighted. Is everyone going to transfer to the MRT?

Maintenance of way vehicles parked outside Kajang Railway Station.

Hello ERL.

Getting overtaken by a KLIA Ekspres train set.

Heading past the new MRT Sungai Buloh–Serdang–Putrajaya Line viaducts.

This might be a nice railway criss-cross in future.

If I had taken a midnight bus from Singapore instead of heading to JB Sentral to catch the 10.40pm 44up Ekspres Selatan, I might have arrived here 4 hours ago. Thanks KTM.

Making a brief stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan where more passengers boarded.

Never have I felt so much want to use TBS.

Making a brief stop at an empty Mid Valley station since it was still not shopping time yet.

Surprisingly crossing over to the down line immediately after departing from Mid Valley to head up to KL Sentral.

Passing by the wye to head directly towards Pelabuhan Klang.

Approaching Simpang Pelabuhan Klang.

Overtaking a KTM Komuter train from Pelabuhan Klang which entered Simpang Pelabuhan Klang together with my train. However, as my train is scheduled to enter KL Sentral first, the train from Pelabuhan Klang has to wait first before my train enters the Komuter line to split off into Platform 4 first.

Entering KL Sentral.

My KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2018up arrived at KL Sentral at 9.05am – 6 minutes delayed.

This makes my train journey from JB Sentral to KL Sentral a whopping 10 hours and 25 minutes long, excluding the time I took to actually start my journey from Singapore.

Heading up the escalator to exit the station.

Heading to the ticket gates, which are now segregated according to the type of ticket used.

Heading to the Touch ‘n Go lane with my Touch ‘n Go card.

Touching my Touch ‘n Go card on the reader.

My Touch ‘n Go fare from Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to KL Sentral is RM12.20 (~S$3.99), making the total cost of my journey from JB Sentral to KL Sentral as RM25 + RM12.20 = RM37.20 (~S$12.18).

From here, you can change to plenty of other rail lines to get around KL. Hmm, I wonder if the Land Transport Authority of Singapore has approved the use of the MRT logo in KL Sentral?

Overall, another crappy ride with KTM thanks to the regular long delays. Including the time I started my journey from Singapore, it’s very safe to say that my journey from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur took more than half a day. On top of that, the cost to travel with KTM from JB to KL is actually higher at RM37.20 requiring a change of a minimum of 2 trains (or 3 if you struck jackpot like me) with the initial one being a 2+2 seat and the next being a Komuter train, while for just RM34, you can get a Super VIP 2+1 seat express bus from Larkin to TBS, taking at least half the time needed by train.

The choice is obvious. Take the bus.