Johoreans could expect more railway experience with the introduction of commuter service from Kulai to Johor Bahru this year.
The Transport Ministry foresees a dedicated commuter service for the Kulai-Johor Bahru route in the first quarter of 2026, as part of an effort to improve people’s mobility in Johor’s southern region.
Minister Anthony Loke stated that the service would be implemented with existing train sets and carriages that had previously operated as Gemas-Johor Bahru shuttle trains.
“In addition to the ETS (electric train) service, we would like to introduce a dedicated commuter train for the Kulai to Johor Bahru route. This is currently being designed, and while we wait for the new train sets, we will optimise the existing carriages. The coaches used between Gemas and Johor Bahru will be rearranged for the Kulai-Johor Bahru route,” he said at a press conference held at the Kempas Railway Station following the completion and operation ceremony of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electric Double Track (PLBEGJB).
Loke said the ministry expects a significant increase in train frequency with the commuter services on the Kulai-Johor Bahru route, considering the journey would take only about 20 minutes, and the concept would be similar to the Tebrau shuttle, where the journey is short and trips are plenty throughout the day
The commuter will come in the upcoming, new schedule, which would provide 16 services to Johor Bahru and another 16 services to Kulai daily, with operations occurring almost every half hour.
He said the move is expected to encourage Johoreans along the route and those who planned to visit Johor to use public transportation, whilst reducing congestion by relying less on motorcycles and personal cars.
“This (the commuter) would also encourage people to use the upcoming RTS and bring more travellers to Johor, while keeping the traffic in control,” he added, while saying that the use of the existing train sets is temporary while the government is getting commuter trains for the route.
When asked about the Automated Transit Flow System (ART) project in Johor, he answered that it has been discussed and that details on its implementation would be finalised in the near future.
“We will finalise the remaining details as soon as we can. I’m confident a decision will be made shortly,” he said by the end of his press conference.
