8.30 Travel from JB Sentral, arriving Gemas at 1.05pm. Next train departs at 3.50pm. After spending time admiring the museum, it’s time to go back to Gemas Station again. Gate clearance starts 30 minutes before departure. If you haven’t had lunch, there is a kiosk outside the station with packed food. Coffee shop across the station too, which I did not get a chance to explore. Anyhow food is also available in the train – pasta, nasi lemak, cup noodles and plenty of snacks and drinks.
ETS
Just be at the station about half an hour before departure time, and wait for the officers to call for your turn to board. This station serves two train services – one northbound to Butterworth, and the other back South to JB Sentral, where I started the journey. Boarding using QR code, very easy. Down the platform, again look out for the direction you are heading. Again it’s cars A-F or F-A. A fellow solo traveller, a local student, advised that I just wait at the front to minimise running up and down the platform, since the train can arrive “tail first”.
This train is so crowded, unlike the first! The ETS is much newer than the Intercity too, but I do like the charm of the old trains. Seemingly more scenic too. From Gemas, we can also take the jungle line towards the East Coast and ending at Tumpat, border between Malaysia and Thailand. However, there is no train into Thailand from here. The Malaysia-Thailand train is from Padang Besar, into Hat Yai, which I hope to try some time.
As this is a busy train and my booking only happened two days before the trip, there were only 2 seats left. Back facing, and a space shared by 4 with a table in the middle. The table makes the space a little too tight for my liking, though it would be perfect for group of 4!
6.20pm arrived in KL. It’s already turning dark as we pulled into the station! I made a few enquiries, and made a last minute decision to continue the journey, instead of putting up a night in KL. Somehow the crowd here intimidates me. I much prefer a quieter and rustic town. Some cancellation, more bookings and all set! By now my devices are almost dead, photos became lesser, and now looking for places to charge – the nice guy at the telco was the kind soul who saved the day!
The next ride is via the Platinum train in business class, so we had the privilege to use the Ruby Lounge, about an hour before departure. Thereafter direct to the platform without joining the queue. By now, my energy has gone down some what, and being dark outside, not much photo opportunity. Good thing though, the seats come complete with charging ports, so many of them – side of seat, back of front seat too. Besides it being more spacious, other perks are the meals, and adjustable headrest and TV entertainment. Great experience – my first business class ride!
Departed KL at 8pm, and finally arriving in Taiping at 11.30pm! Am I glad to have a bed to rest for the rest of the night! It’s nice to step out seeing “Taiping” everywhere on the platform, station and the Spritzer water advertisement from afar! Here’s the clip of these 2 train rides
Today’s Journey
8.30 to 1pm – JB to Gemas (RM21)
3.50 to 6.20pm – Gemas to KL (RM35)
8 to 11.30pm – KL to Taiping (RM148)
Leave a Reply