KUALA KANGSAR, July 9 —Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong today announced that the Electric-Train-Set (ETS) Gold service for Kuala Lumpur-Padang Besar route would begin operations tomorrow.

He said the service would commute twice daily, namely Kuala Lumpur-Padang Besar trip and Padang Besar-Kuala Lumpur trip.

“The service will begin tomorrow in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration next week and we expect to receive positive public response for its faster and more comfortable,” he told reporters after the ETS test run from Batu Gajah to Kuala Kangsar.

He said the train would take only four hours and 45 minutes to reach its destination involving 28 stations.

“We have received the approval from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD). Its operating hours will be announced by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) soon.

“At the same time, we hope to provide commuter services to residents living near Kinta Valley for the Sungai Siput-Kuala Kangsar-Ipoh-Kampar route,” he said adding that one set of ETS train comprise six coaches and has a capacity of 312 passengers for each trip.

Meanwhile, commenting on the new ETS service linking Ipoh and Padang Besar, which was expected to begin operations in early July, he said he was seeking approval from the SPAD.

“For the new ETS (Ipoh-Padang Besar), it takes some time to commission, that’s why today we took a ride to test all the safety features. So we need SPAD’s permission, when we get the permission, we can use this train as well,” he said.

The country’s first ETS linking Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh began operations on Aug 12, 2010 and the South Korean made trains can travel at speeds of 160km per hour and take only two hours to reach the destination.— Bernama