Kuala lumpur: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) new Electric Train Service 3 (ETS3) southern route, launched today, is set to boost Johor tourism and ease local travel.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, passenger Siti Nornazfah Hasnan, 45, expressed that the service would increase visitor numbers to Johor, as previous travel options relied on slower conventional trains. "I'm excited to take the ETS3 because it now takes only about three hours to Kluang, compared to over five hours previously. I hope the future service to Johor Bahru will run on schedule as it will be a new attraction for the tourism sector," she said when met at Kluang Railway Station.

Khairunnisa Abu Seman, 19, a student at Politeknik Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, shared how the ETS3 has facilitated her commute home to Sri Lalang, Kluang. She noted, "I was surprised the trip only took two hours, compared with about three hours previously. Travelling by bus can take nearly four hours. This has modernised public transport and improved connectivity with Johor."

Meanwhile, rail enthusiast Lim Ren Jie, 19, boarded the train solely to experience KTMB's new service. Lim, from Rawang, Selangor, said, "I'm very satisfied with the ETS3 facilities, which are more modern and comfortable, including a dining car, toilets and reclining seats. The three-hour journey was truly exciting."

KTMB Southern Region senior manager Salim Misdi mentioned that the ETS3 operates a two-way service between KL Sentral and Kluang with six coaches. "For the record, this morning's 7.45 am trip from KL Sentral carried 280 passengers, while about 180 tickets for the 5 pm Kluang-KL Sentral service had already been sold by noon. With tomorrow being a public holiday, we expect ticket sales to rise," he said. Salim added that KTMB hopes the ETS3 will become the preferred choice for passengers along the southern ETS route.