Starting 8th August, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will extend its Southern Shuttle service on the Paloh-JB Sentral-Paloh route.
According to a statement released by KTMB on 3rd August 2026, the extended service will serve seven stations: Kluang, Renggam, Layang-Layang, Kulai, Kempas Baru, and JB Sentral. The trip from Paloh to JB Sentral will take roughly 120 minutes and vice versa.
According to KTMB, the extension is a calculated move by the Transport Ministry (MOT) to create a direct rail link between suburban areas and the main commercial hubs of Kulai and JB Sentral.
“The expansion, implemented less than three months after the initial phase, will traverse the central Johor corridor by utilising part of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Project (PLBEGJB) alignment.”
“This initiative reflects the Government’s and KTMB’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public mobility through wider access to rail services,” the statement said.
The new service will run ten trips per day, five from Paloh to JB Sentral and five in the opposite direction, with each train accommodating up to 400 passengers.
The first train from Paloh departs at 3.55 a.m. and arrives at JB Sentral at 5.52 a.m., while the last train leaves at 8.30 p.m. and arrives at Paloh at 10.27 p.m.
“The early morning and evening schedules are designed to support the needs of daily commuters, including workers who continue their journey to Singapore via the Johor Bahru border crossing,” the statement stated.
According to KTMB, connecting services will also be offered at Kempas Baru Station, enabling travellers to change to the Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang-Kempas Baru route. This will improve connectivity between the Pasir Gudang industrial area and the Paloh-Kluang-Kulai-Johor Bahru corridor.
The Paloh-JB Sentral fare was lowered from RM15.30 to a promotional one-way fare of RM7.70, and promotional fares for the Southern Shuttle service will continue until new electric trains are delivered.
Additionally, KTMB announced that, subject to terms and conditions, the MyRailLife Pass will be expanded to include the Southern Shuttle service from 8th August to 31st December 2026. This will provide free travel for children ages four to six, students in Year One through Form Six, and people with disabilities (PwDs).
The Southern Shuttle service has seen 3,209 passengers on its two original routes since it launched, demonstrating the positive public reaction to a more practical and comfortable rail transport option.
