Malaysia’s Electric Train Service (ETS) is an intercity rail service that runs from Padang Besar in the north to Gemas in the south.
A medium high-speed train, the ETS replaced the overnight train that used to take this route and can whizz passengers from Penang to Kuala Lumpur in just four hours, a far cry from the nine long hours it used to take before.
Late last year, KTM launched the business class on the ETS, making the experience of rail travel all the more pleasant.
Before boarding, business class passengers can wait in comfort for the train at a lounge area reserved for them. The fully carpeted lounge is simple with comfortable sofas and restrooms.
There is also a dedicated lift from the lounge direct to the platform, making boarding the train that much more convenient.
ETS business class train
The ETS business class coach shares the train’s bistro and restrooms with passengers of the standard coaches. However, the business class coach is worlds apart from its standard counterpart in terms of the features.
- Larger leg room
As compared to standard ETS coaches, the business class coach has larger leg room, making the five-hour journey from KL Sentral to Padang Besar an extremely comfortable one.
- In-train entertainment and internet connectivity
The business class also comes with in-train entertainment. Apart from the usual info-screen which plays movies on repeat, there’s a personal entertainment system too.
Passengers can enjoy listening to music or watching a movie, although the choices are rather limited.
If you feel like a snack, you can place an order from the screen and browse the internet. However, don’t expect high-speed connectivity.
- Great food
Business class passengers need never go hungry as food and beverages are included in the ticket price and served not once, but three times during the journey.
A breakfast of local cakes, juice and cheese tarts is served as soon as the train leaves the station and before you know it, it’s lunch time and a lavish spread is placed on your tray.
Lunch is followed with a serving of either coffee or tea and a packet of peanuts.
- Perfect seating arrangements
While the standard ETS coaches have two plus two seating configurations, ETS business class has two plus one seating arrangements, thus leaving more room to move about.
Since the seats can change directions, you can choose which direction you’d like to face during your journey. For example, you can face north while travelling south and vice versa. Just inform the stewardess and she’ll help adjust your seat.
KTM’s ETS business class has enough frills to encourage travel by rail. Although the tickets are pricier, the extra services make it worth digging deeper into your pocket.
Khai and wife Amira are Malaysian travel bloggers who blog at Kaki Jalans. Their travels have taken them to almost all the countries in Asean and five countries in Europe. They are still actively travelling and adding to this list.