TLDR: The double tracking projects which entails signaling to allow the electric trains to ply between Segamat and JB Sentral have been delayed repeatedly over the years. It is expected to cut travel times between Kuala Lumpur and Woodlands, Singapore to 4.5 hours, with only a singular transfer at JB Sentral. Currently, it takes 11 hours to travel the same 371-km route and it requires changing at JB Sentral and Gemas, causing most to choose either flying or taking coaches between the 2 capitals.
Initially, the ETS (Electric Train Service) is slated to reach JB Sentral by this month. However, it was just announced by YB Tuan Chew Chong Sin that the service will be delayed to around end of this year. This is due to electrification and signaling works yet to be done between Kluang and JB Sentral, with contact wires and other key components of the overhead line equipment (OHLE) not being installed in this stretch.
As of March 2025, to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train, one need to get to Woodlands Train Checkpoint to take the Shuttle Tebrau to JB Sentral (5 minutes plus waiting time). From JB Sentral, one need to transfer to the KTM Intercity Ekspres Selatan train, which is the old school diesel train taking you to Gemas (taking 4h 36 min plus again waiting time). At Gemas, then one can finally transfer to the sleek ETS train directly to KL sentral (taking 2h 34 min).
Comparing to 100 years ago where one can directly take an overnight train to KL Station from Singapore's Tank Road station without any transfers, the abovementioned is the situation now which is a lot more complicated and time-consuming. If 'modernization' meant progress, yea that really is progress.
By doing this, it can take around 11 hours to complete the entire journey. This made this option unpopular except for hardcore train fanatics, as most would opt to fly or take the long distance coach services.
However, the drawbacks of flying between KL and Singapore includes the time taken from Central KL to KLIA/Subang, security clearances and the check-in timings. Also, taking the bus isn't any better as this option may include uncomfortable seats for more low cost options as well as traffic, especially along the Causeway or Second Link.
Also, adding insult to injury, the now scrapped High Speed Rail linking the two cities will not be revived anytime soon, as there is a lack of funding. The project is slated to cut travelling time to 90 minutes between the 350-km distance. Below is an infographic by The Star comparing the travelling times between the two cities.
Instead, currently, if everything goes according to plans, the long overdue ETS will be extended by 192km to JB Sentral from Gemas. Currently, ETS services plies along the 755km stretch between Padang Besar on the Thai border and Gemas.
With the ETS's opening between KL Sentral and JB Sentral, one can expect to take just 4.5 hours to go from Woodlands to KL Sentral with JB Sentral transfer and waiting times excluded, which is a huge reduction of the initial 11 hours between the two metropolises.
About the Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP)
The EDTP project to electrify the West Coast Line was initially started back in 17 July 2000 with the first phase involving the Rawang-Ipoh stretch. The first phase completed on 17 January 2008 and ETS launched on 12 August 2010 linking KL Sentral and Ipoh. As for the second phase between Ipoh and Padang Besar, it was first proposed in 2002 as a continuation of the first phase. Works on the second phase started on 8 July 2008 and was completed in October 2014 on the stretch, with ETS services extended to Butterworth and Padang Besar on 11 July 2015. Subsequently, the third phase involves the section between Seremban and Gemas, announced on 7 January 2008, with works starting on May 2008 and completion on on 30 October 2013. As a result of the completion of the 3rd phase, it saw the ETS service being extended to Gemas on 10 October 2015, bringing back ETS services to Seremban once again after discontinued on 1 October 2012.
Overall, the EDTP involves building parallel railway tracks, including facilities like stations, depots, halts, yards, and bridges, as well as systems such as electrification, signaling, and communications.
Now, delving deeper into the 192-km stretch between Gemas and JB Sentral, which is the forth phase. This phase was initially proposed on 16 June 2008 as part of a mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan and involves realignment of the Pulau Sebang/Tampin - Gemas section. On 29 January 2011, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that double-tracking and electrification along that stretch was expected to start that year. However, no action had been taken until 27 October 2015 where is a public display exercise which runs until 27 January 2016. Finally, after another two years, on 3 April 2018, the groundbreaking ceremony was held by then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.
The EDTP between Gemas and JB Sentral was originally slated for an October 2021 completion date. However, it was delayed multiple times over the course until 25 February 2025, when it is said to be 99% completed and slated for Easter Monday (21 April 2025) completion with ETS services extending into JB Sentral by 12 August 2025, WHICH IS JUST 4 DAYS LATER!!!!!
Despite the progress of the EDTP, on 7 June 2025, delays were reported for the stretch because overhead electrification was still incomplete. The article, written by RailTravelStation, added that YB Tuan Chew Chong Sin posted on social media on 19 May that the ETS would not reach Kluang until August and JB Sentral until December 2025. In addition, it was reported on 05 Jun 2025 that ETS and Intercity Services general manager Nurul Azha Mokmin said that "We have procured 10 ETS train sets, which are expected to operate on the Gemas-Johor Bahru route, beginning next year. Subsequently, new routes from Johor Bahru to Butterworth and Padang Besar (Perlis) will also be introduced".
As for now, the ETS was extended to Segamat on 15 March 2025, with ticket sales beginning from 12 March 2025 at 10:00AM. This makes it the first station in Johor to be served by ETS.
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