KTM Komuter Northern Sector

KTM Komuter Northern Sector
KTM Class 83 for KTM Komuter Northern Sector.
Overview
Native name	KTM Komuter Sektor Utara
Type	Commuter Rail
System	KTM Komuter
Status	Operational
Locale	Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis
Termini	Butterworth Bukit Mertajam Padang Besar Padang Rengas
Stations	20
Services	1  Bukit Mertajam-Padang Rengas  2  Butterworth-Padang Besar
Website	www.ktmb.com.my
Operation
Opened	11 September 2015
Owner	Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Operator(s)	Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Komuter Division)
Depot(s)	Bukit Tengah
Rolling stock	KTM Class 83 3-car formation
Technical
Line length	1  Butterworth-Padang Rengas:113.8 km (70.7 mi)  2  Butterworth-Padang Besar:157.8 km (98.1 mi)
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ^3⁄8 in)
Electrification	Overhead
Operating speed	Up to 120 km/h (75 mph)
Route map KTM Komuter Northern Sector Route Map Source: KTMB with effective 1 September 2016

KTM Komuter
Legend
Northern Sector network  to Hat Yai Thailand Malaysia international border Padang Besar Bukit Ketri Arau Perlis Kedah state border Kodiang Anak Bukit Alor Setar Kobah Gurun Sungai Petani Kedah Penang state border Tasek Gelugor Butterworth Perai River Swing Bridge Bukit Tengah Bukit Mertajam Bukit Mertajam junction Simpang Ampat Nibong Tebal Penang Perak state border Parit Buntar Bagan Serai Kamunting Taiping Padang Rengas to Ipoh

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Malay: KTM Komuter Sektor Utara) is one of the four KTM Komuter services run by Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu. The service was introduced on 11 September 2015 following the completion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project in December 2014.

Currently, the KTM Komuter Northern Sector consists of two lines, namely the Butterworth-Padang Besar line and the Bukit Mertajam-Padang Rengas line. The Bukit Mertajam station acts as the interchange station between the two lines.

Lines, stations and rolling stock

The KTM Komuter Northern Section consists of two routes:

•  1  Bukit Mertajam-Kamunting
•  2  Butterworth-Padang Besar

The two route network became effective 1 September 2016 when the route between Bukit Mertajam - Padang Rengas replaced the earlier Butterworth-Kamunting route. The Bukit Mertajam Station become the sole interchange station between the two lines.^[1]

Station Name	Platform type	2  Stops	1  Stops	Interchange station/Notes
Padang Besar	2 Island	●		Terminus of the Padang Besar section (northern terminus).
Bukit Ketri	2 Island	●
Arau	2 Island	●
Kodiang	2 Side	●
Anak Bukit	2 Side	●
Alor Setar	2 Side	●
Kobah	2 Side	●
Gurun	2 Island	●
Sungai Petani	2 Side	●
Tasek Gelugor	1 Island 1 Side	●
Bukit Mertajam	2 Island	●	●	Interchange station
Bukit Tengah	2 Island	●
Butterworth	2 Island	●		Access to George Town by Penang Ferry Service.
Bagan Serai	2 Side		●
Parit Buntar	2 Side		●
Nibong Tebal	2 Side		●
Simpang Ampat	2 Side		●
Kamunting	2 Island		●	Old terminus of the blue line (southern terminus).
Taiping	2 Side		●
Padang Rengas	2 Island		●	New terminus of the blue line (southern terminus).

The train that used to run on this track were the only Class 83 while the other sets were used to operate on other sector. Some of the train sets were scrapped and abadoned, mostly Class 82 due to closure of company and lack of spare parts.

The (modified—with additional handle bars) interior of a Class 83 EMU train.

History

The KTM Komuter Northern Service was introduced on 11 September 2015. The initial service ran between Gurun in Kedah, Butterworth in Penang and Kamunting in Perak.^[2][3][4][5] On 1 January 2016, a service between Butterworth and Padang Besar in Perlis was introduced. With the introduction of KTM Komuter services on this section, the KTM ETS that ran between these stations was scrapped.^[6][7]

On 17 January 2016, the original Gurun-Butterworth-Kamunting route was replaced with two separate routes: Butterworth-Gurun and Butterworth-Kamunting. These two lines together with the Butterworth-Padang Besar line operated until 1 July 2016, when the Butterworth-Gurun route was scrapped.^[8]

A further revamp of routes on 1 September 2016 saw the Butterworth-Kamunting line being modified, with the northern terminus moving from Butterworth to Bukit Mertajam, and the southern terminus being extended by two additional stations from Kamunting to include Taiping and ending at Padang Rengas.

See also

• Keretapi Tanah Melayu
  • KTM Intercity
    • KTM West Coast Line
    • KTM East Coast Line
    • KTM ETS
  • KTM Komuter
    • Seremban Line
    • Port Klang Line
    • Northern Sector
    • Southern Sector
• Malaysian Railway System

References

1. New route for KTM Komuter effective 1 September 2016
2. "Northern KTM Komuter service pending SPAD approval". The Star. 24 August 2015.
3. "Commuter rail to service north soon". The Star. 25 August 2015.
4. "Northern folks to enjoy new mode of transportation". The Star. 11 September 2015.
5. "KTM Commuter service connecting Kamunting and Gurun launched". The Star. 11 September 2015.
6. "KTM Komuter service from Butterworth to Padang Besar launched". The Star. 1 January 2016.
7. "PENAMATAN PERKHIDMATAN TREN ETS BUTTERWORTH – PADANG BESAR – BUTTERWORTH EG9501 DAN EG9502, BERMULA 01 JANUARI 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 1 January 2016.
8. "Penambahbaikan Perkhidmatan Tren Shuttle KTM Komuter di Sektor Utara" (PDF). Retrieved 28 January 2016.

External links

• Keretapi Tanah Melayu official website
• Keretapi.com – Railway Fan website
• Keretapi Tanah Melayu Railway Fan Club website
• KTMB Media Release – KTM Komuter Shuttle Northern Sector