IPOH: The Transport Ministry is considering rolling out daily express train services between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, and not just during festive seasons.
Minister Anthony Loke said he would discuss with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) on providing one or two express services a day for the route.
"Previously, the electric train service (ETS) provided such a service and it took about two hours (to travel) between Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.
"However, we have constraints in the Klang Valley because the double track is being upgraded. We are going to complete phase one by the end of the first quarter of this year.
"When phase one is completed, we can look at ways to improve efficiency and frequency (of trains)," he said.
Loke said this at a press conference after launching Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Open Payment System at KTMB Ipoh Station today.
Present was Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Loke said a daily KL-Ipoh express train would be helpful for Ipoh residents needing to work Kuala Lumpur or the Klang Valley.
"Most people prefer daily trips. I do a lot of daily trips also. I travel around the country.
"So, many people don't want to spend the night as they want to save cost and be with their family," he added.
Loke said that daily express travel was possible in the peninsula as states were not far apart.
"So if our public transport system can support this effort, it will help many people and encourage more people to travel," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Loke said KTMB would run four additional daily KL-Ipoh ETS services from Feb 7 until 13, including two express trains, in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
"This is a new initiative by KTMB that operates directly with a travel time of only two hours compared to the normal travel time of two hours and 40 minutes," said Loke, adding that all the tickets were already sold out.