The Peninsular Express is no longer in operation.
There are no more direct train services between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur or northern destinations. You must change trains at JB Sentral and Gemas.
- Woodlands CIQ – JB Sentral: Shuttle Tebrau
- JB Sentral – Gemas: Shuttle (JB Sentral – Gemas)
- Gemas – KL Sentral/Ipoh/Butterworth/Padang Besar: ETS Gold/ETS Platinum
The Peninsular Express is a rejuvenated service by KTM Intercity with an extension southwards to JB Sentral, a combination of the previous Senandung Langkawi and Ekspres Sinaran Selatan. The train takes 16 hours and 55 minutes to travel along the Malay Peninsular.
The train consists of Superior Class sleepers and seats.
Between Padang Besar and JB Sentral, Premier Class and Economy Class seats are also available.
A typical lower Superior Class berth, which I spent most of my time in.
The train makes a stop at Padang Besar for 1 hour for Thai and Malaysian immigration and customs clearance. During this time, if you are cleared early, you may also head upstairs to the station canteen to buy some hot food, bottled drinks and snacks for your journey.
A sampling of Nasi Goreng (fried rice) from the station canteen.
Cows grazing by the side of the railway tracks.
The Peninsular Express makes stops at major stations along the entire line from north to south.
Cargo trains will also have to give priority to passenger trains on the line.
On the rake that I was on, a buffet coach, or ABC, was not attached. But fret not, a caterer is still available on board which sells ready food, pre-packed meals and hot beverages.
The stations along the northern sector look pretty much alike now with the upgraded electrified double track. This is Sungai Petani station, another major station on the line.
The train takes the new Bukit Mertajam bypass and does not stop at Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth stations. From Butterworth, you may access Sungai Petani station by RapidPenang Intercity or Komuter Utara, or Parit Buntar station by Komuter Utara.
The train makes a stop at the old Kuala Lumpur station…
… before arriving at KL Sentral station.
The train makes a brief stop of 15 minutes before continuing the journey to JB Sentral.
On the new schedule from 10 October 2015, the Peninsular Express also makes a stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan, for convenient interchange to other destinations via Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, KLIA Transit or rapidKL Sri Petaling Line.
In the day time, if you know how to do it, you may also convert the Superior Class berths into seats.
This will provide more comfort during the day.
Breakfast can be purchased from the caterer on board.
From the electrified double track line from Padang Besar to Gemas, the train enters the single track between Gemas and JB Sentral for the final leg of the journey.
The train crosses with the Shuttle 62up to Gemas at Kluang station.
The train arrives at JB Sentral on time at 11.55am. You may continue your journey to Singapore by the Shuttle Tebrau to Woodlands CIQ or buses to other destinations.
Book your tickets at any KTM Intercity ticket counter, online, or the KTMB-MobTicket app on Google Play.
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