The Southern Express (ES) train service, set to end on January 1, has been a vital transportation link for residents in southern Johor and the Iskandar region, carrying 2.6 million passengers since its launch in 2016.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) chief operating officer Afzar Zakariya said the ES service has been well-received, averaging 800 to 1,000 passengers daily across six trips—three outbound and three return journeys.
“The ES has had a significant impact by connecting key towns along the southern route, including Segamat, Kluang, Labis, Kulai, and Johor Bahru,” he told Bernama. “It provides affordable and reliable mobility, especially for students, daily wage workers, senior citizens, and families who rely on the train as their main mode of transport.”
Afzar added that the service indirectly supported economic growth along the southern line, facilitating work, tourism, and business travel. This contributed to increased activity in hospitality, public transport, small businesses, and the development of new tourist destinations.
KTMB announced that the Southern Express, formerly known as the Southern Shuttle and operating on the Gemas–JB Sentral–Gemas route, will cease operations after nine years. The termination is part of the optimisation of southern line services and aligns with the progress of the Gemas–Johor Bahru Electric Double Track Project.
The ES also provided direct access to Johor Bahru and connections to other train services in northern Peninsular Malaysia, while helping ease traffic on congested highways. “For Johor Bahru and the Iskandar region, ES reduced reliance on highway travel and offered a comfortable, fast, and reliable option for commuters between Johor Bahru, Kluang, Segamat, and central Peninsular areas,” Afzar said.
To ensure a smooth transition, KTMB coordinated ES schedules with the ETS3 service, which now extends from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru. Starting next year, KTMB will operate 12 ETS services to and from Johor: eight between KL Sentral and JB Sentral, two on the JB Sentral–Butterworth route, and two on the JB Sentral–Padang Besar route.
Afzar said the expanded ETS services will meet the travel needs of local residents while benefiting the tourism sector, including visitors from Singapore and international tourists transiting via Changi Airport, who can use ETS services to Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, or Padang Besar.
