KL-Ipoh trains reaches out to passengers
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Want to travel to Ipoh in two hours and, at the same time, save almost RM50 in transport cost? Simple. Take the ETS, the Electric Train Service.
Driving from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh will cost about RM50 in terms of fuel and RM26.50 in toll charges. On top of that, the travel time can stretch from 2-1/2 hours to three hours, or more during the festive or holiday season.
The ETS offers the alternative — faster and cheaper, at just RM30. Within the coaches, it is safer with the availability of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
The RM48-million ETS began operating between the two cities on Aug 12, and has been ferrying between 1,200 and 1,400 passengers daily since.
ETS Chief Operations Officer Azizullah Kinayapullah said passengers could enjoy a shorter travel time without being bothered by traffic congestion if they were driving.
“The ETC takes two hours for the journey from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur (or vice versa), “ he told Bernama.
He said the ETS was passenger friendly, especially for senior citizens and disabled people, and was equipped with a cafeteria with stewards and stewardesses at one’s beck and call.
Azizullah said some passengers had complained that the RM30 promotional one-way fare between the two cities was costly.
“However, since the service began over a month ago, we have received positive feedback because we provide excellent service,” he said.
ETS fare was most appropriate considering the fact that the toll charge on the Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur stretch of the North-South Expressway is RM26.50 either way and the cost of fuel exceeded RM100 for a return journey.
Since the operations began on Aug 12, the ETS management has increased the frequency of service from six trips to eight.
The Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur service begins at 4am and ends at 6.30pm while the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh service starts at 6.20am and ends at 9pm.
“We will recruit more employees to meet the demand of passengers for an excellent service because this will leave a lasting impression on them,” he said.
Passenger Nur Syuhada Abdul Hamid, 21, approached at the KL Sentral station, said the service was a boon for students like her.
“It is easier to travel with the availability of such a service. Furthermore, the fare is low for students like me who do not have a driving licence yet,” she said.
Murdin Ali, 58, summed it up when he said: “Comfortable and safe.” — Bernama
