After nine years of operation, KTMB says that it is ending the Southern Express train service. This will take effect on 1 January 2026, ending six currently operating services numbered 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 running the Gemas – JB Sentral – Gemas route. Once known as the Southern Shuttle, its role is effectively being taken over by the Electric Train Service (ETS).
Starting on 1 January also, this newer service will be operating in full, with eight services to JB Sentrail daily. In a statement posted on the KTMB Facebook page, the rail operator says that “with the completion of the ETS, passengers will now enjoy a more modern, user- and environmentally friendly journey, while offering more efficient travel times and a safer, more comfortable travel experience”.
While KTMB is ending the Southern Express service soon, the east coast equivalent will continue to run. In the same statement, rail operator clarifies that the Ekspress Rakyat Timuran (ERT) service for the JB Sentral – Tumpat – JB Sentral route will still operate as usual. There’s also the Shuttle Timuran as the alternative stop-to-stop journey for the Gemas – Tumpat route.
Earlier in the month, the ETS3 service started operations, offering limited discounts to the KL Sentral – JB Sentral – KL Sentral route. Said route involves stops at Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kajang, Seremban, Pulau Sebang, Batang Melaka, Gemas, Segamat, Labis, Bekok, and Paloh.
(Source: KTMB / Facebook)