Government plans to add 10 ETS trains next year - Liow

The Ministry of Transport and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) have agreed to add 10 more Electric Railway System (ETS) trains next year, to meet increasing passenger demands.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said in line with the rapid development of the transport system services, ETS was in high demand and preferred choice by the public.

He said KTMB had been informed about public complaints and grievances about the ETS, saying it was difficult to get tickets, that they had to be booked almost a month in advance.

"Currently, KTMB has 38 ETS trains, and serves the Gemas-Padang Besar route twice a day. Each train has six coaches that can accommodate up to 300 passengers at any one time, and this is still unable to meet the demand," he said.

He said this in his speech during the opening of the Arau Train Station, in conjunction with the 73rd birthday of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Also present were the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

At the ceremony, Liow, along with Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man, KTMB president Lt Col (Rtd) Datuk Sarbini Tijan and state executive council members accompanied the Raja of Perlis on the ETS from the Arau Station to Padang Besar.