The West Coast railway line runs from Padang Besar railway station close to the Malaysia–Thailand border in Perlis (where it connects with the State Railway of Thailand) to Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. It is called the West Coast railway line because it serves the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.
The 1,151-kilometre line is busier than the East Coast railway line because the West Coast railway line handles a variety of passenger train services such as the KTM ETS services, the KTM Intercity services, the International Express, the KTM Komuter in the Klang Valley and Greater Penang, and freight trains. Of this total length, 759 km is double-tracked and electrified.
The major stations on the line include KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth in Butterworth, Penang and JB Sentral in the south in Johor Bahru.
History
The West Coast railway line was developed in stretches on June 1, 1885, with the opening of the Taiping–Port Weld Line, and 1932 when the line opened up to Tanjung Pagar, thus spanning the entire west coast of Peninsular Malaysia from Padang Besar on the Malaysia–Thai border to Singapore. The line began with the construction of branches linking coastal ports with inland tin mining areas before they were gradually linked up by the main truck line running through the interior of the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.
The latest new lines to be built were the branch lines to West Port, North Port, Tanjung Pelepas, Pasir Gudang and the North Butterworth Container Terminal. The trunk line had also seen sections becoming disused, abandoned or even removed, with the latest being the closure and subsequent removal of the southernmost stretch of track between the Woodlands Train Checkpoint and Tanjong Pagar in 2011.
Services
The West Coast railway line is served by a variety of train services:[1][2][3]
KTM Intercity
- Ekspres Rakyat Timuran between Tumpat and JB Sentral.
- The route between Gemas and JB Sentral is part of the West Coast Line while the route between Gemas and Tumpat is on the East Coast Line)
- Ekspres Selatan between Gemas and JB Sentral.
- Shuttle Tebrau between JB Sentral and Woodlands Train Checkpoint
- Ekspres Rakyat Timuran between Tumpat and JB Sentral.
KTM ETS
- ETS Platinum (express service that only stops at a major stations, one of 6 coaches upgraded to business class with free wifi, charging sockets, on board dining & single seats)
- Between KL Sentral and Padang Besar
- Between KL Sentral and Butterworth
- ETS Gold (stops at all major stations a few minor stations)
- Between KL Sentral and Ipoh
- Between Gemas and Padang Besar
- Between Gemas and Butterworth
- ETS Silver (stops at all stations)
- Between KL Sentral and Ipoh
- ETS Platinum (express service that only stops at a major stations, one of 6 coaches upgraded to business class with free wifi, charging sockets, on board dining & single seats)
KTM Komuter
- 1 Seremban between Batu Caves and Pulau Sebang/Tampin.
- 2 Port Klang between Tanjung Malim and Port Klang.
10 Skypark between KL Sentral and Terminal Skypark.- 1 Ipoh between Butterworth and Ipoh.
- 2 Padang Besar between Padang Besar and Butterworth.
- International Express between Padang Besar and Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
Projects
Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking
After many years of announcements about the intention to upgrade the final stretch of single track of the West Coast Line, the Government began the public display exercise for the Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking project on 27 October 2015. The public display exercise, required for all development of new railways under Section 84 of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Act 2010, ran until 27 January 2016. Chinese company China Railway Construction Company (CRCC) has been awarded to build the Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking project.
The length of the line to be electrified and double-tracked is 197 km between Chainage 563.040 at Gemas to Chainage 754.180 at Johor Bahru. The project includes the construction of 11 stations at Segamat, Genuang, Labis, Bekok, Paloh, Kluang, Mengkibol, Rengam, Layang-Layang, Kulai and Kempas Baru, and 3 future stations at Tenang, Chamek and Senai. The upgraded line is supposed to cater for at least 22 services daily involving KTM ETS, KTM Intercity and shuttle train services. Electrification for the stretch will have the same specifications as that of the Seremban-Gemas stretch, name at 25 kV AC 50 Hz single phase and supplied via an overhead catenary. Train operations for this stretch will be integrated with the Train Control Centres at KL Sentral and Gemas. The design speed for the tracks is 160 km/h.
Construction began in 2016 and is expected to be completed by April 2026.[4][5][6]
Klang Valley Double Track Project
The project was implemented by Keretapi Tanah Melayu began in 2016 and phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2021.[7] The project entails the rehabilitation of 42 km of tracks between Rawang and Salak Selatan as well as Sentul and Simpang Batu. This will focus on enhancing 16 stations along these routes and upgrade the existing signalling and electrification system.[8] This will be reduced to just seven-and-a-half minutes once the KVDT is completed.[9]
The 42km rehabilitation under Phase I, which are:
- Phase 1A (Rawang – Simpang Batu)
- Phase 1B (Kuala Lumpur – Simpang Bangsar)
- Phase 2 (Simpang Batu – Kuala Lumpur)
- Phase 3 (Sentul – Simpang Batu)
- Phase 4 (Simpang Bangsar – Salak Selatan)
Phase II is from Simpang Bangsar - Pelabuhan Klang and Salak Selatan - Seremban.
Line network
Main trunk line
The West Coast main trunk line stretches from Padang Besar on the Malaysia–Thailand border to Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore.
The main trunk line is double-tracked and electrified from Padang Besar to Gemas. From Gemas to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, the line is single-tracked and not electrified. Loops at stations allow trains to pass. Double tracking and electrification works are currently being carried out.
The West Coast railway line connects with the State Railway of Thailand at Padang Besar, while the East Coast line branches off at Gemas.
Branch lines
The West Coast railway line includes several branch lines from the main trunk line, namely:
- Bukit Mertajam Junction to Butterworth
- Batu Junction to Batu Caves
- Port Klang/Bangsar Junction to Port Klang and Westport, with further branch lines:
- Subang Jaya to Terminal Skypark at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Subang) Airport
- Port Klang to Northport
- Pulau Indah to various Wesport shipping terminals
- Skudai Junction to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas
- Kempas Baru to Pasir Gudang
The Bukit Mertajam Junction to Butterworth, Batu Junction to Batu Caves, Port Klang Junction to Port Klang station, as well as the branch line to Terminal Skypark is double tracked and electrified.
The line from Port Klang to Westport and its shipping terminals, as well as the branch lines between Skudai Junction and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and the Kempas Baru and Pasir Gudang are single lines and not electrified.
There are also branch lines where the tracks exist but are not used for any service or closed are:
- Between Tapah Road and Teluk Intan (abandoned and not connected to the main line)
- Between Seremban and Port Dickson
- Between Tasek and Tanjung Rambutan To be removed as is a portion of the old main line that was abandoned after double tracking, and not connected to the new main line, never used and meant as branch line compared to Teluk Intan branch line
None of these disused branch lines are double tracked nor electrified.
Stations
Main Trunk Line
| Station names | Serving cities | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Connects to Padang Besar branch line, Southern Line) | ||||
| Padang Besar | Padang Besar, Perlis | ETS 2 | ||
| Bukit Ketri | Bukit Ketri, Perlis | 2 | ||
| Arau | Arau, Perlis Pulau Langkawi, Kedah |
ETS 2 | ||
| Kodiang | Kodiang, Kedah | 2 | ||
| Megat Dewa | Closed and demolished | |||
| Tunjang | Closed and demolished | |||
| Anak Bukit | Anak Bukit, Kedah | ETS 2 | ||
| Alor Setar | Alor Star, Kedah | ETS 2 | ||
| Kobah | Pendang, Kedah | 2 | ||
| Ladang Jenun | Closed and demolished | |||
| Gurun | Gurun, Kedah | ETS 2 | ||
| Sungai Petani | Sungai Petani, Kedah | ETS 2 | ||
| Pinang Tunggal | Closed and demolished | |||
| Tasek Gelugor | Tasek Gelugor, Penang | ETS 2 | ||
| Penanti | Closed and demolished | |||
| Simpang Ampat | Simpang Ampat, Penang | 1 | ||
| Nibong Tebal | Nibong Tebal, Penang | ETS 1 | ||
| Parit Buntar | Parit Buntar, Perak | ETS 1 | ||
| Bagan Serai | Bagan Serai, Perak | ETS 1 | ||
| Bukit Merah | Bukit Merah, Perak | Bukit Merah Laketown Resort | Closed and demolished | |
| Pondok Tanjung | Closed and demolished | |||
| Kamunting | Kamunting, Perak | 1 | ||
| Taiping | Taiping, Perak | ETS 1 | ||
| Bukit Berapit | Closed and demolished | |||
| Padang Rengas | Padang Rengas, Perak | ETS 1 | ||
| Kuala Kangsar | Kuala Kangsar, Perak | ETS | ||
| Salak Utara | Closed and demolished | |||
| Sungai Siput | Sungai Siput, Perak | ETS | ||
| Chemor | Closed and demolished. Freights only. | |||
| Tanjung Rambutan | Tanjung Rambutan, Perak | Closed. | ||
| Tasek | Ipoh, Perak | Currently not in use | ||
| Ipoh | Ipoh, Perak | ETS | ||
| Lahat | Lahat, Perak | Freights only | ||
| Batu Gajah | Batu Gajah, Perak | ETS | ||
| Kota Bharu | Batu Gajah, Perak | Freights only | ||
| Malim Nawar | Malim Nawar, Perak | Closed and demolished | ||
| Kampar | Kampar, Perak | ETS | ||
| Tapah Road | Tapah Road, Perak | ETS | ||
| Sungkai | Sungkai, Perak | ETS | ||
| Trolak | Trolak, Perak | Closed and demolished | ||
| Slim River | Slim River, Perak | ETS | ||
| Behrang | Behrang, Perak | ETS | Currently not in use | |
| Tanjung Malim | Tanjung Malim, Perak | ETS 2 | ||
| Kalumpang | Closed and demolished. | |||
| Kerling | Closed and demolished. | |||
| Kuala Kubu Bharu | Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor | ETS 2 | Replaced the nearby station formerly Kuala Kubu Road. | |
| Rasa | Rasa, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Batang Kali | Batang Kali, Selangor | ETS 2 | Replaced the nearby station formerly Ulu Yam. | |
| Serendah | Serendah, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Rawang | Rawang, Selangor | ETS 2 | ||
| Kuang | Kuang, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Sungai Buloh | Sungai Buloh, Selangor | ETS 2 Interchange: 12 |
||
| Kepong Sentral | Kepong, Kuala Lumpur | ETS 2 Interchange: 12 |
||
| Kepong | Kepong, Kuala Lumpur | 2 | ||
| Segambut | Segambut, Kuala Lumpur | 2 | ||
| Putra | Kuala Lumpur | 12 | ||
| Bank Negara | Kuala Lumpur | 12
|
||
| Kuala Lumpur | Kuala Lumpur | ETS 12 Interchange: 59 |
||
| Kuala Lumpur Sentral | Kuala Lumpur | ETS 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 | Central interchange with all intercity and commuter trains, rapid transit, monorail and airport rail link | |
| Mid Valley | Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur | 1
25 |
||
| Seputeh | Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur | 1 | ||
| Salak Selatan | Salak South, Kuala Lumpur | 1 | ||
| Bandar Tasik Selatan | Bandar Tasik Selatan and Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur | ETS 1 Interchange: 4 7 |
||
| Serdang | Seri Kembangan, Kuala Lumpur | 1 | ||
| Kajang | Kajang, Selangor | ETS 1 Interchange: 9 |
||
| UKM | UKM and Bangi, Selangor | 1 | ||
| Bangi | Bangi, Selangor | 1 | ||
| Batang Benar | Batang Benar, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Nilai | Nilai, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Labu | Labu, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Tiroi | Labu, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Seremban | Seremban, Kuala Pilah and Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan |
ETS 1 | ||
| Senawang | Senawang, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Sungai Gadut | Sungai Gadut, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Rembau | Rembau, Negeri Sembilan | 1 | ||
| Pulau Sebang/Tampin | Pulau Sebang, Melaka City and Alor Gajah, Malacca | ETS 1 | Melaka Heritage City | Main station serving Malacca |
| Batang Melaka | Batang Melaka and Jasin, Malacca | ETS | Nearest Station to Jasin | |
| Air Kuning Selatan | Closed and demolished | |||
| Gemas | Gemas, Negeri Sembilan | ETS  |
Interchange with East Coast railway line | |
| Batu Anam | |
Closed | ||
| Segamat | Segamat, Muar and Tangkak, Johor |
|
||
| Genuang | Genuang, Johor | |
Freights only | |
| Tenang | Tenang, Johor | |
Closed | |
| Labis | Labis, Johor | |
||
| Bekok | Bekok, Johor | |
||
| Beradin | Closed and demolished | |||
| Jagoh | Closed and demolished | |||
| Paloh | Paloh, Johor | |
||
| Batang Ridan | Closed and demolished | |||
| Chamek | Chamek, Johor | |
Closed | |
| Niyor | Closed and demolished | |||
| Kluang | Kluang, Batu Pahat and Mersing, Johor |
|
||
| Mengkibol | Mengkibol, Johor | |
Freights only | |
| Rengam | Renggam, Johor | |
||
| Layang-Layang | Layang-Layang, Johor | |
||
| Sedenak | Closed and demolished | |||
| Kulai | Kulai and Pontian, Johor | |
Senai International Airport | |
| Skudai | Skudai, Johor | Freights only | ||
| Tanjung Pelepas | Iskandar Puteri, Johor | Port of Tanjung Pelepas | Freights only | |
| Kempas Baru | Kempas, Johor. | |
||
| Danga City Mall | Johor Bahru, Johor | Danga City Mall | Closed | |
| Johor Bahru Sentral | Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi and Pontian, Johor | |
Southern Integrated Gateway | Interchange with Shuttle Tebrau to Singapore |
| Woodlands Train Checkpoint | Woodlands, Singapore | Shuttle Tebrau services only | ||
| Bukit Timah railway station | Bukit Timah, Singapore | Closed | ||
| Tanjong Pagar railway station | Tanjong Pagar, Singapore | Closed | ||
Batu Junction–Batu Caves Branch Line
| Station names | Serving cities | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batu Junction between Segambut and Putra stations (Continue to main West Coast Line) | ||||
| Sentul | Sentul, Kuala Lumpur | 1 | ||
| Batu Kentonmen | Batu Kentonmen and Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur | 1 | ||
| Kampung Batu | Bandar Baru Selayang and Kampung Batu, Kuala Lumpur | 1 Interchange:12 |
||
| Taman Wahyu | Taman Wahyu, Kuala Lumpur | 1 | ||
| Batu Caves | Batu Caves, Selangor | 1 | ||
Port Klang Junction–Port Klang Branch Line
| Station names | Serving cities | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Klang (Bangsar) Junction between KL Sentral and Mid Valley stations (Continue to main West Coast Line) | ||||
| Abdullah Hukum | Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum, Bangsar and Mid Valley City Kuala Lumpur |
2 Interchange:1 5 |
||
| Angkasapuri | Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur | 2 | ||
| Pantai Dalam | Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur | 2 | ||
| Petaling | Kampung Pasir, Old Klang Road and Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur |
2 | ||
| Jalan Templer | Jalan Templer and Petaling Jaya, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Kampung Dato Harun | Kampung Dato Harun, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Seri Setia | Seri Setia and Sungai Way, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Setia Jaya | Bandar Sunway, Selangor | 2 Interchange: B1 |
||
| Subang Jaya | Subang Jaya, Selangor | 210 Interchange: 5 |
||
| Terminal Skypark | Subang Airport, Selangor | 10 | Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport | |
| Batu Tiga | Batu Tiga, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Shah Alam | Seksyen 19, Shah Alam, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Padang Jawa | Padang Jawa, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Bukit Badak | Jalan Bukit Badak, Klang, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Klang | Klang, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Teluk Pulai | Teluk Pulai, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Teluk Gadong | Teluk Gadong, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Kampung Raja Uda | Kampung Raja Uda, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Jalan Kastam | Jalan Kastam, Port Klang, Selangor | 2 | ||
| Port Klang | Port Klang, Selangor | 2 | ||
| (Continue to Westport) | ||||
Bukit Mertajam Junction–Butterworth Branch Line
| Station names | Serving cities | Services | Major landmarks | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bukit Mertajam Junction between Simpang Ampat and Tasek Gelugor stations (Continue to main West Coast Line) | ||||
| Bukit Mertajam | Bukit Mertajam, Penang | ETS 1 2 | ||
| Bukit Tengah | Bukit Tengah, Penang | 2 | ||
| Perai | Perai, Penang | Freights only | ||
| Butterworth | Butterworth, Penang | ETS 2 | Penang Bridge, Port of Penang | |
See also
References
- ↑ "State Railway of Thailand".
- ↑ "Keretapi Tanah Melayu".
- ↑ Ong, Ryan (2019-09-29). "You Can Now Take a Single-Seater Business Class KTM Train from KL to Perlis! - WORLD OF BUZZ". worldofbuzz.com/. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
- ↑ Rizalman Hammim (21 June 2020). "Benefits and challenges of the Gemas-Johor Baru Railway Electrified Double-Tracking Project". New Straits Times.
- ↑ "Benefits and challenges of the Gemas-Johor Baru Railway Electrified Double-Tracking Project". The Star. 12 July 2020.
- ↑ "MOT, Johor agree to prioritise JB-Singapore RTS link, Gemas-JB double-tracking". MalayMail. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
- ↑ "The Klang Valley Double Track Project (KVDT) - Official Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (S.P.A.D.) Website". www.spad.gov.my.
- ↑ "The Klang Valley Double Track Project (KVDT) - Official Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (S.P.A.D.) Website". www.spad.gov.my. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ↑ "Phase 1 of KTM Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) Project is right on schedule for completion in 2019 - Barisan Nasional". www.barisannasional.org.my. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
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Stations and services in italics are planned or under construction | |||||
