KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Komuter Utara) Train from Padang Besar to Butterworth (Connection from Bangkok)

KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn is a daily train from Padang Besar to Butterworth during the 2-hour interval period. The train number 2963dn operates on the same timetable as the former 2955dn, departing at 12.35pm, with KTM Komuter Northern Sector train services now increased since 18 February 2023 during peak periods in the new KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Komuter Utara) timetable.

Connecting from my Special Express 45 International Express from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal which arrived at Padang Besar Railway Station at 11.15am Malaysia time, 25 minutes delayed, I had about an hour to wait for this connecting KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn train from Padang Besar to Butterworth once done with immigration and customs formalities.

Padang Besar Railway Station

I purchased my KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn train ticket from the KTMB Mobile app which was quick and easy, since I had money in my KTM Wallet and my ticket was almost instantly generated.

Click here for my KTM Komuter Northern Sector Online Ticket Booking Guide.

Heading through the Automated Control Gate (ACG) with my KTMB Mobile app ticket.

The screen on the Automated Control Gate (ACG) simply says “HAVE A NICE TRIP”. I guess my ticket details on my KTMB Mobile app ticket suffices for confirmation.

Heading down to the platform.

KTM Komuter Northern Sector trains depart from Platform 2.

Passengers for the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn were already waiting at Platform 2.

The new KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Komuter Utara) timetable from 18 February 2023 is displayed on Platform 2 too.

I guess the hardcopy timetable is useful, since the information screens are out of order. A QR code is available to scan for train information from MyRailtime.

With 3 SkyPark Link 83 Class EMU sets now sent to the KTM Komuter Northern Sector to beef up frequency, the chances to get an 83 Class EMU are now quite high. Thankfully, the incoming train was a 92 Class SCS, so I have a pleasant KTM Komuter Northern Sector journey ahead of me.

92 Class SCS28 would be sending me from Padang Besar to Butterworth.

The 92 Class SCS features longitudinal seating in the first and last coaches, which is not the most ideal for a long KTM Komuter Northern Sector journey.

My aim was for a forward-facing transverse seat for maximum comfort, which I managed to get. There are just 3 rows of forward-facing transverse seats in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th coaches of the 6-car set.

I’ve got a full window view for this almost-2-hour ride from Padang Besar to Butterworth. There is just 1 such row of forward-facing full-window transverse seats in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th coaches of the 6-car set.

A power socket is also available under the window seat.

The legroom available on board the 92 Class SCS transverse seat.

The doors closed and the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn departed from Padang Besar Railway Station right on time at 12.35pm.

Departing from Padang Besar Railway Station.

The view of limestone hills quickly appear.

Bukit Ketri Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bukit Ketri Railway Station.

Arau Royal Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Arau Royal Railway Station where a lot more passengers boarded.

Kodiang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kodiang Railway Station.

Crossing the Kedah River.

Anak Bukit Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Anak Bukit Railway Station.

Alor Setar Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Alor Setar Railway Station where even more passengers boarded.

Crossing the Kedah River again.

Heading parallel with the North-South Expressway, or more affectionally known as the PLUS Highway.

Kobah Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kobah Railway Station.

Gurun Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Gurun Railway Station.

Sungai Petani Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Sungai Petani Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

Tasek Gelugor Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Tasek Gelugor Railway Station.

The platform tiles at Tasek Gelugor Railway Station don’t look to be in very good shape.

Splitting off the Bukit Mertajam Wye to enter the KTM Butterworth Line.

Passing by the multiple lines of Kompleks KTMB Wilayah Utara Bukit Mertajam.

Bukit Mertajam Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bukit Mertajam Railway Station where half of the passengers alighted.

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn allows for a 6-minute seamless connection here at Bukit Mertajam to the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2909dn onwards to Padang Rengas in the new 18 February 2023 KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Komuter Utara) timetable.

However, during this 6 minutes, connecting passengers must cross the footbridge to the opposite platform by stairs or a single elevator on each platform, and there is unlikely time to have a toilet break.

Bukit Tengah Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bukit Tengah Railway Station.

I spotted a SkyPark Link 83 Class EMU set here at Bukit Tengah EMU Depot, with the livery kept but the logo removed.

Passing by Multi Modal Freight Services, Prai (Old Yard).

Crossing over the Prai Swing Bridge.

Entering Butterworth Railway Station beside Butterworth Container Depot (BWCT).

Butterworth Railway Station

A lot of passengers were waiting at Butterworth for the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2968up train to Padang Besar which will be formed immediately from my KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn train.

My KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn arrived at Butterworth Railway Station right on time at 2.26pm.

The buffer stop at the end of the line at Platform 4.

Heading up to the concourse by the staircase.

Joining the crowd to scan out of the Automated Control Gate (ACG) with my KTMB Mobile app ticket. This queue to scan a ticket is not okay for a rapid transit system.

The screen on the Automated Control Gate (ACG) simply says “THANKS FOR USING KTMB SERVICES.”. I guess my ticket details on my KTMB Mobile app ticket suffices for confirmation.

On this arrival, I was surprised to see that the direction to the Penang Fast Ferry have changed. Could this finally be a new link?

New Link Bridge from Butterworth Railway Station to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) 

YES, FINALLY! The bridge to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) is finally ready!

A new set of escalators lead down to the ground level.

Following the path to the old junction where the old bridge across the railway tracks meet the slope up to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH).

This new path also offers a great view of the end of Platform 4.

The slope bridge is just a refurbishment of the previous open-air bridge. I can’t believe this took years to complete.

This is definitely a much more pleasant and faster walk than the temporary route in hoardings and across roads and back building corridors.

Turn left for Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) for the Penang Fast Ferry.

Turn right for Penang Sentral. Do note that if you are accessing Penang Sentral, this new walking route is actually longer than the previous temporary route which is no longer in use.

Conclusion

Overall, it was a pretty comfortable journey on board the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn from Padang Besar to Butterworth with a 92 Class SCS set, forward-facing seat, a power socket, and no broken window at my seat.

I was quite surprised that the 92 Class SCS sets are still running in the KTM Komuter Northern Sector as I was worried that the 3 SkyPark Link 83 Class EMU sets would replace them and the 92 Class SCS sets would be sent back to the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector.

The 92 Class SCS sets are best used for such 2-hour KTM Komuter Northern Sector journeys for better passenger comfort.

New 2023 Bangkok to Singapore Train Journey

• Special Express 45 International Express from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Padang Besar (Malaysia)
• KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn from Padang Besar to Butterworth
• ETS Gold 9321dn from Butterworth to Gemas
• Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral
• Shuttle Tebrau 91dn from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ