KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up from Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar Train Review
The extension of the KTM Komuter Northern Sector to Ipoh has opened up new possibilities to travel through Perak by public transport. On a long transit in Ipoh, I decided to take KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up from Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar, a station that I have been wanting to visit the station since the completion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) to see the different unique architecture, but had not got a chance to do so yet, until now.
Ipoh Railway Station
I arrived at Ipoh Railway Station with the ETS Express 9006up non-stop train from KL Sentral. The KTM Komuter Northern Sector is a useful way to travel from Ipoh to the north of Malaysia with additional trains, as they do not require prior reservations, so while ETS tickets may be long sold out, there is always a ticket for the KTM Komuter Northern Sector.
The KTM Komuter Northern Sector has a dedicated gate on the left of the concourse at Ipoh Railway Station. Makeshift clip-on signs inform passengers when the KTM Komuter Northern Sector train is ready for ticket scanning and boarding.
Scanning through the Automated Control Gate (ACG) with my KTM Komuter Northern Sector ticket purchased on the KTMB Mobile app.
KTM Komuter Northern Sector trains generally depart from Platform 2 at Ipoh Railway Station.
Unfortunately, the escalator was out of order, so everyone had to climb up the stairs, or use the 1 lift behind.
My train can be seen from the overhead bridge within the platform area.
83 Class EMU40 is on duty for my KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up.
This was a smooth connection from my ETS Express 9006up to my next KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up.
The interior of 83 Class EMU40.
EMU40 features full longitudinal seating with blue seat covers. This is not ideal for seated comfort on a long-haul 2-hour journey, but allows for more standing passengers to add to capacity.
The new route map on board the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 83 Class EMUs featuring both the Butterworth-Padang Besar Line and Butterworth-Ipoh Line.
I will just be taking a ride fully within the 3 new stations of the KTM Komuter Utara Ipoh Extension.
My KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up departed from Ipoh at 12.56pm – 1 minute delayed due to the station and train staff guiding a blind man to be seated at the front of the train behind the driver’s cab and getting more information on where he was alighting, so all is forgiven.
Passing by a rather empty Ipoh yard.
Sungai Siput Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Sungai Siput Railway Station.
Kuala Kangsar Railway Station
My KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up arrived at Kuala Kangsar Railway Station on time at 1.29pm.
The KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2910up will continue on to Padang Rengas, Taiping, Kamunting, Bagan Serai, Parit Buntar, Nibong Tebal, Simpang Ampat, Bukit Mertajam, Bukit Tengah, and Butterworth, where it terminates.
The side platforms of Kuala Kangsar Railway Station.
Even though the driveway is just beside the platform, there is no thoroughfare for passengers, and everyone needs to climb up to the concourse to exit from the station.
Scanning through the Automated Control Gate (ACG) with my KTM Komuter Northern Sector ticket purchased on the KTMB Mobile app.
The unpaid area of Kuala Kangsar Railway Station is similar to other stations on the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) which has the concourse elevated above the tracks.
Kuala Kangsar Railway Station, being in the royal town of Perak, bears Islamic-inspired architecture in the new station.
The façade of Kuala Kangsar Railway Station.
The main gate to Kuala Kangsar Railway Station is just adjacent to the station building.
The station access road leads out to Jalan Raja Idris.
Unfortunately, onward connectivity is rather poor with no passing through bus services or waiting Kereta Sewa. e-Hailing Services such as Grab, airasia ride, or Maxim were active, but there were no drivers in Kuala Kangsar.
Kuala Kangsar Railway Station is also located 1.3km away from the main town and bus station.
As such, I couldn’t proceed with my original plan of going to Padang Rengas Railway Station to spot the Eastern & Oriental Express and then catch a train back to Ipoh, and also my secondary plan of simply going to Kuala Kangsar town to see the bus terminal as I wasn’t going to walk for 18 minutes under the blazing sun.
As such, I simply had lunch at the food court adjacent to the station, before returning back to Ipoh on the next train.