KULAI - Johor will acquire 10 new commuter train sets for its Southern Shuttle service under a long-term expansion programme worth more than RM200 million, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.
The new Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains are expected to be procured within two to three years for the shuttle service, which is a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Transport (MOT), Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and the Railway Assets Corporation.
"This is an investment for the future to ensure rail public transportation services in Johor continue to be strengthened,” he told reporters after the launch of the Southern Shuttle service at Kulai Railway Station here.
Meanwhile, KTMB is using two existing train sets to operate the Southern Shuttle service linking Kulai with Johor Bahru Sentral and Pasir Gudang, with the latter route passing through Kempas Baru.
Loke said the shuttle service initiative was made possible following the completion of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Project, which has enabled Electric Train Service (ETS) operations to run directly to Johor Bahru Sentral.
He said the MOT would allocate between RM11 million and RM15 million annually to support operating costs, as fare revenue alone is not expected to cover expenses.
"These trains were previously used on the Johor Bahru-Gemas route, so no additional assets are required. However, there are operational expenses such as diesel, manpower and other costs,” he said.
The Kulai-Johor Bahru Sentral route has a journey time of about 30 minutes and operates 10 daily return trips, with the fare set at RM10.20 per trip.
A total of 3,000 MADANI Southern Shuttle cards, each with a value of RM50, were distributed at the launch, with free usage offered for the first six months.
Loke said service frequency and route coverage would be expanded if public response was encouraging.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, and Kulai Member of Parliament Teo Nie Ching. - BERNAMA
TAGS: Johor, KTMB, Southern Shuttle, rail transport, public transportation, EMU, Kulai, Johor Bahru Sentral, Pasir Gudang, Anthony Loke