Electric Train Service (ETS Train) Malaysia

This was one of the many things which I totally did out of curiosity during the Chinese New Year holidays here in Malaysia.

Usually, I would travel to Ipoh City via car every year but this time around, I opted to try the ETS train service instead.

Having not much knowledge apart from the fact that a train will be a train, it totally gave me a different impression of our improving rail system here.

On the first day of Chinese New Year, I made my way to the KL Sentral Station at 1.00 pm to get my ticket.

Arriving here, I found it relatively easy to find the ETS counter which was located at the main entrance of the building.

This is the entrance which faces the KL Hilton and Le Meridian Hotel. If you walk in the entrance, it is located all the way to your right. 

Asking the ticket counter girl there were to board the train, she simply told me as I exit this place and turn right, take the first turn right at the hallway.

From there, you will see an escalator and elevator that goes down two floors. I should wait around there till the boarding call. 

I had much time to kill so I took a walk around the station and got back at 1.40 pm. By then a large group of travellers had been waiting there and once the barrier was opened, everyone made their way down to the train platform to the awaiting train.

Upon getting into the coach, I was most impressed with the cleanliness and spacious layout. Seats looked very comfortable even before sitting on them. As for the timing, the train did not wait long and left in five minutes after two.

ETS Train Toilet

The toilets were very modern with auto doors on touching the panel while the insides were well thought off. Everything looked like the interior of an aeroplane bathroom except more spacious.

After doing my rounds and taking my seat, I noticed the LCD TV display in the front of the train. A sleek 21-inch panel was showing some cartoons as part of the entertainment on board the ETS train.

Train speed information was integrated into the system, informing passengers of the next station and also the speed of the train at that current moment.

I had doubts that the ETS could make it pass 130 km/h therefore I sat and looked at the monitor constantly and to my surprise, at one stage, it managed to hit 150 km/h!

That was indeed quite fast comparing the normal trains. But again, the Shanghai commuter trains were easily hitting 230 km/h so this was a good start for the rail industry here in Malaysia.

At that speed, the train was smooth and not bumpy. Satisfied with the top speed, I made my way to the cafeteria coach to see what was available.

A simple layout with an area to sit and view the passing scenery while they served a limited selection of pastries and buns. Hot and cold drinks were available at a reasonable price here.

They also have train stewardesses moving around the coaches selling snacks and drinks for those who prefer to sit put. 

There is only a single class while there have been plans to add on business class seats. All coaches come with socket points for laptops and other electrical item usages.

It would be fun to just take this train there for some good local food and some original Ipoh White Coffee and then head back to KL. Just for the fun of it.

Here is also a list of places to visit in Ipoh for anyone heading here. While for travellers and backpackers, this would be one of the methods to travel up north on route to Penang Island.

Conclusion

My conclusion to this ride – For RM30.00, it is a very good deal, which provides a safe and fast journey using the Electric Train Service or ETS Train in Malaysia to move around.