Ipoh-Butterworth Line

KTM Komuter Northern Sector
 1   2 
Keretapi Tanah Melayu KTM Komuter
KTM Class 83 for KTM Komuter Northern Sector.
Overview
Native nameKTM Komuter Utara
StatusOperational
OwnerKeretapi Tanah Melayu
LocaleGreater Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis
Termini
Stations23
Websitewww.ktmb.com.my
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemKTM Komuter
Services 1  Ipoh–Butterworth
 2  Padang Besar–Butterworth
Route number 1   2 
Operator(s)Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Komuter Division)
Depot(s)Bukit Tengah
Rolling stockKTM Class 81 3-car formation
KTM Class 83 3-car formation
KTM Class 92 6-car formation
History
Opened11 September 2015 (2015-09-11)
Technical
Line lengthButterworth–Padang Rengas: 104 km (65 mi)
Butterworth–Padang Besar: 169.8 km (105.5 mi)
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
Operating speedUp to 120 km/h (75 mph)
Route map

Legend
Northern Sector network
to Hat Yai
Thailand
Malaysia
international
border
 Padang Besar KTM ETS
Bukit Ketri
Arau KTM ETS
Perlis
Kedah
state
border
 Kodiang
Anak Bukit KTM ETS Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
Alor Setar KTM ETS
Kobah
Gurun KTM ETS
Sungai Petani KTM ETS
Kedah
Penang
state
border
 Tasek Gelugor KTM ETS
Butterworth
KTM ETS Penang Ferry Service
Perai River Swing Bridge
 Bukit Tengah
Bukit Mertajam KTM ETS
Bukit Mertajam junction
 Simpang Ampat
Nibong Tebal KTM ETS
Penang
Perak
state
border
 Parit Buntar KTM ETS
Bagan Serai KTM ETS
Kamunting
Taiping KTM ETS
Padang Rengas KTM ETS
Kuala Kangsar KTM ETS
Sungai Siput KTM ETS
Ipoh KTM ETS
to Kuala Lumpur, Gemas and Johor Bahru Sentral

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 Komuter services call at stations not served by ETS.

Lines, stations and rolling stock

The KTM Komuter Northern Section consists of two routes:

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.

Station Name Platform type  2 
Stops 		 1 
Stops 		Interchange station/Notes
Padang Besar 2 Island ● Northern terminus.
Bukit Ketri 2 Island ●
Arau 2 Island ●
Kodiang 2 Side ●
Anak Bukit 2 Side ● Access to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport within 5 to 8 minutes by taxi.
Alor Setar 2 Side ●
Kobah 2 Side ●
Gurun 2 Island ●
Sungai Petani 2 Side ●
Tasek Gelugor 1 Island 1 Side ●
Bukit Mertajam 2 Island ● Interchange station
Bukit Tengah 2 Island ●
Butterworth 2 Island ● ● Access to George Town by Penang Ferry Service. Interchange and central terminus.
Bukit Tengah 2 Island ● ●
Bukit Mertajam 2 Island ● ● Interchange station
Simpang Ampat 2 Side ●
Nibong Tebal 2 Side ●
Parit Buntar 2 Side ●
Bagan Serai 2 Side ●
Kamunting 2 Island ●
Taiping 2 Side ●
Padang Rengas 2 Island ●
Kuala Kangsar 2 Side ●
Sungai Siput 2 Island ●
Ipoh 2 Side ● Southern terminus.

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

KTM Komuter Northern Sector has 2 routes/lines, in which they have their own schedule.

The (modified—with additional handle bars) interior of a Class 83 EMU train.

History

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, the KTM ETS services that ran between these stations have ceased.[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

References

  1. ^ KTM Timetable
  2. ^ "Northern KTM Komuter service pending SPAD approval". The Star. 24 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Commuter rail to service north soon". The Star. 25 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Northern folks to enjoy new mode of transportation". The Star. 11 September 2015.
  5. ^ "KTM Commuter service connecting Kamunting and Gurun launched". The Star. 11 September 2015.
  6. ^ "KTM Komuter service from Butterworth to Padang Besar launched". The Star. 1 January 2016.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Penambahbaikan Perkhidmatan Tren Shuttle KTM Komuter di Sektor Utara" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  9. ^ "KTM Komuter Utara Extension to Ipoh from 16 September 2023". railtravelstation.com. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  10. ^ "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.

External links