According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the Electric Train Service (ETS) between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur will formally start operating this Friday, 12th December 2025.
He also mentioned that on 11th December, the day before it is open to the public, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, will introduce the service in Johor Bahru.
Longer-distance routes, like as services to Padang Besar and Butterworth, are planned for later phases. Initially, the ETS trains would only connect to Kuala Lumpur.
The train can only make two daily trips—one up and one down—for longer routes. More frequent travel is possible in shorter sectors, such as Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, he said, after officiating the Kluang Rail Festival on 22nd November 2025, at Mahkota Rail Park.
“Anyone who wanted to use the ETS to travel from Johor Bahru to northern areas are urged to take public transportation,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, chairman of the Johor Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communication Committee, the long-awaited Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Rail Project (EDTP) is now 99.94% complete, with final completion by end November.
According to him, the RM8.9 billion project spans 192 km over Segamat, Kluang, Kulai, and Johor Bahru and started actual construction on 1st December 2016.
Before the line is completely operating, he continued, last-minute works are being completed.
“A total of 12 ETS trips will be offered daily under the full-service schedule – eight trips on the Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru route, two on the Johor Baru-Padang Besar route, and two on the Johor Baru-Butterworth route,” he stated.
