KTM Komuter Northern Sector
The KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Malay: KTM Komuter Utara) is one of the five KTM Komuter services run by Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The service was introduced on 11 September 2015 following the completion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project in December 2014, which also saw the extension of ETS services to Padang Besar from Ipoh.
Currently, the KTM Komuter Northern Sector consists of two routes, namely the Butterworth - Padang Besar route and the Ipoh - Butterworth route. The lines share tracks with KTM ETS services, though the Komuter services call at stations also not served by ETS.
Lines, stations and rolling stock
[edit]The KTM Komuter Northern Section consists of two routes:
- 1 Ipoh-Butterworth Line
- 2 Padang Besar-Butterworth Line
Since November 2021, the Butterworth-Padang Rengas route replaced the Bukit Mertajam–Kamunting route. The Bukit Mertajam, Bukit Tengah and Butterworth stations are common stations between the two lines.[1] On 16 September 2023, the Butterworth–Padang Rengas route was extended southwards to Ipoh.
⇄ = cross-platform interchange
Station Name | Platform type | 2 | 1 | Interchange station/Notes |
Padang Besar | 2 Island | ● | Northern terminus. ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Bukit Ketri | 2 Island | ● | ||
Arau | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kodiang | 2 Side | ● | ||
Anak Bukit | 2 Side | ● | Access to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport within 5 to 8 minutes by taxi. ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Alor Setar | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kobah | 2 Side | ● | ||
Gurun | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Sungai Petani | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Tasek Gelugor | 1 Island 1 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Bukit Mertajam | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station ⇄ KTM ETS |
Bukit Tengah | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station |
Butterworth | 2 Island | ● | ● | Access to George Town by Penang Ferry Service. Interchange and central terminus. ⇄ KTM ETS |
Bukit Tengah | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station |
Bukit Mertajam | 2 Island | ● | ● | Interchange station ⇄ KTM ETS |
Simpang Ampat | 2 Side | ● | ||
Nibong Tebal | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Parit Buntar | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Bagan Serai | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kamunting | 2 Island | ● | ||
Taiping | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Padang Rengas | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Kuala Kangsar | 2 Side | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Sungai Siput | 2 Island | ● | ⇄ KTM ETS | |
Ipoh | 2 Side | ● | Southern terminus. ⇄ KTM ETS |
The train that are used to run on this track were the Class 83 and Class 92 while the other sets are used to operate on the Central sector.
Schedule
[edit]KTM Komuter Northern Sector has 2 routes/lines, in which they have their own schedule.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/KTM_Komuter_%28Class_83_train_interior%29.jpg/220px-KTM_Komuter_%28Class_83_train_interior%29.jpg)
History
[edit]The KTM Komuter Northern Service was introduced on 11 September 2015. The initial service ran between Gurun in Kedah, Butterworth in Penang and Kamunting in Perak.[2][3][4][5] On 1 January 2016, a service between Butterworth and Padang Besar in Perlis was introduced. With the introduction of KTM Komuter services on this section, two KTM ETS services that ran between these stations have ceased, reducing the number of ETS services between the stations to make way for the new KTM Komuter service.[6][7]
On 17 January 2016, the original Gurun-Butterworth-Kamunting route was replaced with two separate routes: Butterworth-Gurun and Butterworth-Kamunting. These two lines together with the Butterworth-Padang Besar line operated until 1 July 2016, when the Butterworth-Gurun route was scrapped.[8]
A further revamp of routes on 1 September 2016 saw the Butterworth-Kamunting line being modified, with the northern terminus moving from Butterworth to Bukit Mertajam, and the southern terminus being extended by two additional stations from Kamunting to include Taiping and ending at Padang Rengas.
From November 4, 2021, trains from Padang Rengas and Padang Besar now terminate at Butterworth, making Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam the shared interchange stations between both lines.
An extension of the Padang Rengas line to Kuala Kangsar, Sungai Siput and Ipoh began running on 16 September 2023.[9][10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ KTM Timetable
- ^ "Northern KTM Komuter service pending SPAD approval". The Star. 24 August 2015.
- ^ "Commuter rail to service north soon". The Star. 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Northern folks to enjoy new mode of transportation". The Star. 11 September 2015.
- ^ "KTM Commuter service connecting Kamunting and Gurun launched". The Star. 11 September 2015.
- ^ "KTM Komuter service from Butterworth to Padang Besar launched". The Star. 1 January 2016.
- ^ "Penamatan Perkhidmatan Tren Ets Butterworth – Padang Besar – Butterworth EG9501 Dan EG9502, Bermula 01 Januari 2016" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ "Penambahbaikan Perkhidmatan Tren Shuttle KTM Komuter di Sektor Utara" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "KTM Komuter Utara Extension to Ipoh from 16 September 2023". railtravelstation.com. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "和丰火车站的铁道火车通勤服务 即将于9月16日开始往返北部". China Press. Retrieved 20 August 2023.