At least 2,000 passengers expected to use Butterworth-Ipoh trains daily

IPOH: At least 2,000 passengers per day are expected to use the KTMB Komuter Utara service between Ipoh and Butterworth.

KTMB chief corporate officer Mohamed Suhaimi Yaacob said the number could be higher especially during peak hours.

“There will be 20 trips a day with an hour gap in between for peak hours. For normal hours, the train will come every two hours.

“The train will stop at 23 stations including Ipoh, Sungai Siput, Kuala Kangsar up until Butterworth, Penang,” he told reporters at the Ipoh Train Station on Saturday (Sept 16)

Mohamed Suhaimi said the north train route was previously from Padang Rengas – Butterworth – Padang Rengas.

“The train can take up to 450 passengers per trip. The targeted figure is excluding the passengers using the Electric Train Service (ETS),” he added.

Perak Tourism committee chairman Loh Sze Yee was also present, and said that several stations will be upgraded.

“I was informed that the Transport Ministry and the Railway Asset Corporation (RAC) are planning to upgrade several stations,” said Loh.

“However, we will focus on cleaning up and beautifying the area first. The newly extended route will certainly help boost our tourism sector and help in the upcoming Visit Perak Year preparations,” he added.

The northern Komuter route will stop at more than 10 stations now including Sungai Siput, Kuala Kangsar, Padang Rengas, Taiping, Kamunting, Bagan Serai, Parit Buntar, Nibong Tebal and Simpang Empat.

The ticket price from Ipoh to Butterworth for adults is RM12.80 one-way, and half price for children, senior citizens and the disabled.

Beginning Sept 16, the first Komuter train from Ipoh to Butterworth is at 4.40am while the service from Butterworth to Ipoh starts at 5.30am.

The last train from Ipoh to Butterworth is at 6.35pm while the one from Butterworth is at 7.10pm.