KTM Komuter Southern Sector

Former Seremban–Gemas Shuttle (2015–2016)

The Southern Shuttle brand was originally used for an interim shuttle service from Seremban to Gemas following the completion of electrification and double-tracking works on that specific stretch. This initial shuttle operation was terminated on 11 July 2016 when it was fully absorbed into the extended Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang Line.

Southern Shuttle reintroduction (2024–present)

On 14 March 2024, it was announced that a southern commuter service would be introduced along the Gemas–Johor Bahru corridor after the tracks were electrified and double-tracked.^[4] Before this, passenger services on the Gemas–Johor Bahru Sentral (JB Sentral) corridor of the West Coast Line were primarily operated using diesel-hauled trains.^[5][6]

Between October 2023 and May 2024, the Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang freight line received upgrades, including the replacement of its tracks and signalling system, raising maximum operational speeds from 30 km/h (19 mph) to 80 km/h (50 mph).^[7] On 22 July 2025, KTM announced plans to introduce passenger service on the line to serve the higher passenger traffic expected from the upcoming Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS Link).^[7] On 11 December 2025, Transport Minister Anthony Loke formally confirmed the launch of commuter services on the Kulai–JB Sentral line to complement the KTM ETS service.^[8] Trial runs for the passenger service on the Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang route began in March 2026.^[9]

On 13 June 2026, KTM formally announced that the Southern Shuttle would commence operations on 16 June. The network was officially inaugurated by Transport Minister Anthony Loke alongside Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.^{[10][11][12][13]} On 8 August that same year, the line was extended northwards from Kulai to Paloh, with intermediate stations at Kluang, Rengam, and Layang-Layang.^[14]

Routes

The Southern Shuttle operates along the West Coast Line in southern Peninsular Malaysia, consisting of two routes that intersect at Kempas Baru station:

•  1  Paloh–JB Sentral Line: Spans approximately 110.1 kilometres along the main electrified West Coast Line from Paloh to JB Sentral. At JB Sentral, passengers can connect to the Shuttle Tebrau service to Singapore.^{[citation needed]}
•  2  Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang Line: Spans 40 kilometres along a single-track, non-electrified branch line connecting the industrial city of Pasir Gudang to the main line network. This marks the first time regular passenger operations have been introduced on this corridor, which was previously exclusive to freight traffic serving Johor Port.

Stations

Legend

⇄ = cross-platform interchange

⇅ = out-of-station connecting transfer

Station name	1	2	Opening	Interchange station / Notes
Paloh	●		8 August 2026; 50 days ago (2026-08-08)	Northern terminus ⇄  ETS
Kluang	●			⇄  ETS
Rengam	●			⇄  ETS
Layang-Layang	●
Kulai	●		16 June 2026; 3 months ago (2026-06-16)	⇄  ETS
Kempas Baru	●	●		Interchange and central terminus ⇄  ETS
Taman Daya		●	TBA	Proposed stations
Bandar Seri Alam		●
Kampung Pasir Putih		●
Pasir Gudang		●	16 June 2026; 3 months ago (2026-06-16)	Eastern terminus
Johor Bahru Sentral (JB Sentral)	●			Southern terminus ⇄  ETS  ⇅  RTS  Bukit Chagar

Service pattern

The following table summarises the operating pattern of services on the KTM Komuter Southern Sector:

Fares and ticketing

The Southern Sector utilizes a distance-based fare system identical to the KTM Komuter Central and Northern sectors. Fares are determined by the number of stations travelled, with ticketing handled via station counters, automated ticket vending machines, and integrated stored-value smart cards.

However, the per-kilometer fare structure introduced for the Southern Sector has drawn public scrutiny for being relatively expensive compared to KTMB's older commuter services in northern and central Peninsular Malaysia. For example, a single-fare trip over a comparable ~30 to 40 minute journey timeframe costs RM4.00 in the Northern Sector (such as between Sungai Petani and Penang Sentral), whereas the base single-fare from Kulai to JB Sentral is set significantly higher at RM10.20.^[17] This variance has been attributed to the elevated operating expenses required for the region's localized rolling stock provisions, though the Ministry of Transport has cushioned regular users by distributing dedicated "Kad MADANI Shuttle Selatan" fare subsidies.^[17]

Current rolling stock formations

Service expansion

Along the Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang Line, three sites were formally proposed in January 2026 for intermediate passenger stations at Taman Daya, Bandar Seri Alam, and Kampung Pasir Putih to serve high-density suburban residential zones.^[23][24]

Permanent rolling stock procurement

To replace the temporary locomotive-hauled fleets, the Malaysian government approved an allocation exceeding RM200 million for the procurement of 10 brand-new Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trainsets, scheduled for delivery within two to three years.^[25][26] Because the regional infrastructure profile is divided, the long-term fleet deployment strategies differ completely by sector:^[27]

• Electrified sector (Paloh–JB Sentral): Once the 25 kV AC overhead lines stabilise, the route will transition to dedicated 3-car Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) drawn from the newly procured 10-trainset allocation.^[25] Shorter trainsets are being prioritised to build a high-frequency, agile timetable aimed at peak intervals of 15 minutes. The superior acceleration profile of native EMUs will make intermediate infill stations (such as Larkin, Saleng, Indahpura, and Senai) operationally viable.^[25]
• Non-electrified sector (Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang): Because the 40-kilometre Pasir Gudang branch line continues to function exclusively as a single-track, non-electrified freight corridor with no active federal plans for electrification or double-tracking, services are slated to run via diesel-propulsion hybrid sets until further notice.^[28] To facilitate passenger operations alongside cargo traffic, the sector utilizes an interim hybrid configuration where a conventional KTMB diesel locomotive mechanically hauls unpowered, repurposed KTM commuter carriages, supported by a separate wagon-mounted Power Generating Car (PGC) for onboard electrical auxiliary needs.^[29] Long-term service frequency expansions remain bound to localized passenger demand and state-level Phase 2 proposals targeting three minor mid-route passenger halts at Taman Daya, Bandar Seri Alam, and Kampung Pasir Putih.^[29]

Notes