KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn from Padang Besar to Butterworth by Train

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector is the local all-stop commuter train serving the northern sector of KTM’s network. To get from Padang Besar to Butterworth, I got KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn on the full route of the Butterworth – Padang Besar Line after a quick shopping session at Arked Niaga.

KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) Kiosk

New KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) Kiosks have been installed at KTM Komuter Northern Sector stations, and I purchased my ticket from it to try out something new.

Tickets for KTM Komuter Northern Sector, ETS, and KTM Intercity trains can be purchased from the KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) Kiosks at KTM Komuter Northern Sector stations.

Do note that KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) Kiosks do not accept cash. Payment is by cashless means with Visa & Mastercard Credit Cards, Visa & Mastercard Debit Cards, Boost e-Wallet, and Touch ‘n’ Go eWallet only.

Do note that while the American Express logo is pasted on the KITS Kiosk, the payment options later on do not reflect the logo.

The format on the KITS Kiosk screen is similar to the KITS Website. Here’s my ticket selection from Padang Besar to Butterworth.

You do not have to select the train departure time, but do note that tickets can only be purchased starting from and will only be valid from the day itself. No pre-purchase is possible for KTM Komuter Northern Sector.

A maximum of 6 tickets can be purchased in a single transaction.

I made my payment by Visa payWave. Notice that no American Express option is displayed.

Following the successful payment, my KTM Komuter Northern Sector ticket was printed.

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector thermal ticket from the KITS Kiosk was rather thin and flimsy, which won’t last for very long.

If you need the ticket for prolonged usage like a Weekly Pass, you should use the KTMB Mobile app on App Store and Google Play to be displayed on your phone, or KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) website and print it on a regular A4 sized paper so as to keep the QR code print clear.

A credit card transaction receipt was also issued for my payment.

Padang Besar Railway Station

I arrived at the KITS gates 30 minutes before departure, and it seems like all passengers have already went down to the platform to wait.

4 bi-directional KITS gates are installed at Padang Besar Railway Station.

Scanning my ticket at the KITS gate to enter the platform area.

Yup, and passengers for the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn are already waiting at Platform 2.

While waiting, I spotted the arrival of ETS Gold 9420up from Gemas.

This would have been my other option to travel from KL Sentral, but as you can see, if I took this train, I would not have time to go to Arked Niaga, although I would still be successful at travelling past all the stations.

After alighting passengers, the empty ETS Gold 9420up headed away from the platform to be shunted to the depot.

At 4.29pm, the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2958up from Butterworth arrived at 4.29pm – 3 minutes delayed from schedule.

KTM 92 Class EMU • CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd.

This train set, SCS36, will u-turn to form my the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn train back to Butterworth.

I went straight to Coach B and found myself a nice forward-facing seat for the almost 2-hour journey. Thanks KTM for restarting the SCS service for the long commuter journey.

Social distancing stickers are pasted on the floor around the longitudinal seats area.

My KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn departed on schedule from Padang Besar Railway Station at 4.35pm.

Passing over the underpass road shortcut to Padang Besar town.

Passing by Bukit Chabang.

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 more passengers boarded.

Kodiang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kodiang Railway Station.

Passing by the old railway bridge north of Anak Bukit Railway Station over the Kedah River.

Anak Bukit Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Anak Bukit Railway Station.

Approaching Alor Setar Railway Station with the Alor Setar Tower in the background.

Alor Setar Railway Station

The old Alor Setar Railway Station still stands, operating as the Tavern Railway Restaurant & Bar.

Making a brief stop at Alor Setar Railway Station.

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.

Passing by vast fields, a typical scenery of the north.

Tasek Gelugor Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Tasek Gelugor Railway Station.

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.

Bukit Tengah Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bukit Tengah Railway Station.

Some more passengers alighted at Bukit Tengah Railway Station.

Passing by Mydin Bukit Mertajam.

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

Crossing over the Prai Swing Bridge.

Looking down at the Prai River.

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

Butterworth Railway Station

My KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn arrived at Butterworth Railway Station at 6.28pm – 2 minutes delayed.

Heading up the staircase to exit.

Queuing up to scan my ticket at the KITS gates.

A simple thank you message is displayed on the KITS gate upon successful scanning of the KITS ticket.

Looking at Penang Sentral from Butterworth Railway Station. I wonder what new improvements there would be now that I’ve not visited for 2 years.

The façade of Butterworth Railway Station.

From here, I headed on to Penang Sentral to catch the Penang Fast Ferry to Penang Island.

But wait – why am I still seeing this zinc shelter?

Conclusion

Overall, a pretty comfortable journey on the KTM Komuter Northern Sector with a SCS 92 Class, forward facing seat, and a power socket, with no broken windows where I’m sitting.

I hope all KTM Komuter Northern Sector trains can operate with SCS 92 Class trains for better comfort on these longer commuter journeys, but I’m not sure if there are sufficient sets to share around the KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector and KTM Komuter Northern Sector.