ETS KL to JB Business Class : A huge step towards the future

I took the newly opened ETS (Electric Train Service) from KL to JB on the business class cabin this weekend. So how was my experience of ETS KL to JB Business Class ?

About ETS KL to JB

Operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), ETS is Malaysia’s fastest metre gauge intercity train, running on the electrified double track.

Malaysia’s Electric Train Service (ETS) between Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Johor Bahru (JB) is a newly launched inter-city electric rail link that dramatically shortens travel time along Malaysia’s west coast corridor. Running on the completed electrified double-track between Gemas and JB Sentral, the service connects KL Sentral to JB in about 4 to 4.5 hours, replacing the older 6 to 7-hour diesel-powered intercity journeys and offering a smoother, quieter ride.

The ETS trains can reach speeds of up to 140 km/h and typically stop at key southern towns such as Segamat, Kluang, and Kulai, improving regional connectivity and supporting tourism and business travel between central Malaysia, Johor, and onward to Singapore via JB.

The route forms the final southern piece of Malaysia’s West Coast Rail Electrification Programme, significantly strengthening rail as an alternative to long-distance driving and express buses for both leisure and daily commuters.

Buying ETS KL to JB Business Class tickets

I did NOT use any app to purchase the tickets but simply use the KTMB official web site at https://online.ktmb.com.my to do so.

I did created an account on the web site to start the process and add two family members. We had to give our passport numbers etc.

I bought the tickets on the day it was launched at 12:15am. I was able to purchase the tickets for myself and my family members in the same ONE account. I bought the EP9515 train on 13th Dec which leaves KL at 5:35pm and arrive JB at 09:55pm.

I noticed that the morning train was pretty quickly sold out (probably the timing is good) and the evening train was not so. Also I noticed in both cases, the business class (one cabin only) was quickly sold out too.

I simply printed out the tickets to use for the trip. Both to enter the Ruby Lounge and for the trip itself. No issues. But do keep the tickets for both the ENTRY (ie at KL) and the EXIT (ie at JB). You need the tickets to ENTER the train station and EXIT the train station.

Finding the Platform to ETS in KL Sentral

When you arrive at KL Sentral (which is where the KLIA Express ends), you will search for the KTM Komuter section of the KL Sentral. To understand, KL Sentral has MANY train stations (much like Grand Central Terminal of New York). There is Rapid KL, there is KL MRT and KLIA Express and then KTM train station.

The train leaves KL Sentral at Platform 2

When you reach Platform 2, you will look up and see a Ruby Lounge. You are going there for your lounge visit 🙂

Ruby Lounge at KL Sentral

As a KTM ETS business class ticket holder, you can rest at their Ruby Lounge (situated one floor above the platform 2 where the gates to the trains are).

It has lots of seatings too.

It operates at specific hours depending on the train schedule (unlike those business lounges at airports).

Here’s the schedule as at 13 Dec 2025.

It is a simple lounge that serves coffee, tea and Milo with a clean toilet to use. No, you don’t get food like SQ Gold Lounges 🙂

It offers you a view of the Platform 2 waiting area

More importantly the lounge operates a private lift to take you down to the platform itself ! When it is time to board, the staff will announce and you just walk to the private lift that takes you down to the platform.

Hello ETS train !

As business class is in Coach A, you will walk to the FRONT of the train to get to your seat. There is only one coach (cabin) for business class per train.

The ETS Train

Of course, it is new now and all is working well and clean 🙂

The business class is in a 2-1 configuration. A sole traveller will probably want the window 1 seat.

Here’s my seat.. as you can see, I am wearing shorts. I will regret it later.

A window shade with “Business Class” is available. Probably useful for day trips.

There are spaces above the seats for carry on luggages.

Or you can use the Luggage stands at the end of the cabin for your larger luggages.

There is a tray for your food too.

Of course, everyone’s main concern. Can I charge my expensive iPhone etc. Yes you can.

And the personal entertainment system is pretty basic (there are some games apps, there is INTERNET browser and that’s it. No Movies etc. This is NO KrisWorld ok). I saw some passengers watching YouTube on this 🙂

And of course, I must find Patnotebook here 🙂

And yes you can apparently order food and drinks from the system !

There is actually a Dining area located at Coach C equipped with two table bar and four seats. Much like in those Japan trains etc.

But you don’t need to order or buy food. There is food served for Business Class passengers.

It is not earth shattering aka Book Your Cook but it is QUITE GOOD 🙂

There is also a snack box that strangely came with a FREE PAIR of Apple-look-alike AirPods earphones ! IKR 🙂

Later coffee and a Muffin were also served.

By the way, the toilet for business class is located at the front of the cabin and it is clean (although it did get a little wet towards the end of the trip).

Areas to Improve

There are couple of issues which makes the journey not so good.

The speed out of KL is so slow. This is no Shinkansen for sure. Once out of KL, I find the train just grilling along. I read somewhere that there is still a need to “upgrade” the rail tracks from KL to Seremban and that’s perhaps the reason. The highest speed I have seen on this train is about 137km/h. I could have, of course, missed out on some speed but that’s the photo I took. No.. no China train speed too.

But then I was just enjoying the views and the food 🙂

Secondly. there are simply too many stops in the journey. I think there is a need to reduce the number of stops or stations for a much faster ride from KL to JB (or JB to KL). I totally understand more stops = more passengers = more revenue to keep the fare low. But there should be (and probably will be soon) an express train that skips past most of the stops but that would probably cost more.

Finally the Air Con is ridiculously cold. Look at the temperature. At one point, it was 16 degrees. Later it was 20 degrees but still too cold for comfort.

My advice. Wear a long pants. Wear socks and shoes. And bring a sweater. This is definitely not those HOT and DIRTY train rides or bus rides to KL in the past where you survived with tees and shorts and slippers 🙂

What I enjoyed about the ETS

As someone who goes to KL often, and has lived through nightmare of “holding my urine” in bus rides from KL to Singapore or Singapore to KL, I have praise for this ETS KL to JB Business Class ride.

Of course, I love a quick flight too (e.g I personally love the cheaper Batik Air or the more expensive SQ from Singapore to KL) but this is still a good way to travel.

I feel that it is a great way to ride as it was clean, comfortable and honestly if you are not in a hurry, you can take your time to enjoy the food, your book (or music) and just the scenery along the way (which means you should probably take a day train).

With the number of trains to increase (in Jan, there will be four each way instead of the two in Dec 2025), there will be more flexibility in your timing.

[Update on 16th Dec 2025]. KTMB has just announced the four times daily schedule ! Here it is with effective from 1st Jan 2026.

KL Sentral → JB Sentral with effect from 1st Jan 26

JB Sentral → KL Sentral with effect from 1st Jan 26

The FUTURE of ETS and RTS

The last mile is pretty important too. When I finished my trip at JB Sentral, there is still the nightmare of trying to pass the customs in JB, the bus ride from JB to Singapore, the customs in Singapore and then the bus ride from Singapore Woodlands to home.

All these will change. The future of ETS is closely linked to the future RTS link. The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is an upcoming 4 km (2.5 mi) long, twin-track rapid transit system crossing the Strait of Johor between Malaysia and Singapore. It will link Johor Bahru, Malaysia, at Bukit Chagar station, with the Singapore MRT at Woodlands North station in Woodlands.

The line is planned to open in December 2026. When that happens, you get one single CIQ custom clearance and a much smoother move from KL to Singapore Home via ETS and then RTS.

The future is great for train travel between Singapore and Malaysia !