There are three classes of train: 1. Deluxe or First Class (with upholstered seats) 2. Eksekutif or Second Class (with padded leather seats) 3. Ekonomi or Third Class (with cushioned plastic seats).
The fast daytime Express Rakyat runs from Singapore to Butterworth, and continues on to Thailand. Express trains are modern, and some have sleeping berths and buffet cars. Some trains are air conditioned.
East Malaysia has one railway line, known by travellers as the Jungle Railway, which is the main overland route for the Taman Negara National Park; it runs along the coast from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), then inland up a steep jungle valley to the small town of Tenom.
There are two other main lines operated for a passenger service.
One runs along the west coast and from Singapore which runs northwards to Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth, meeting the Thai railways at the border.
The other line separates from the west coast line at the town of Gemas and takes a northeastern route to Kota Bharu and Tenom. There is also a passenger service to two of Malaysia’s seaports - Penang and Padang Besar on the west coast. The KTM Komuter, a commuter service, runs from Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang (west), Rawang (north) and Seremban (south).
There are no rail services in Sarawak.
Cheap fares Children under 4 travel free; children aged 4 to 11 pay half fare.
For further information on discount fares available to passengers, contact Malayan Railway (see contact details above). Malaysian Railway
Special tickets The Malayan Railway Pass is available in 10- and 30-day tickets, giving unlimited travel on all trains through peninsular Malaysia and Singapore and can be purchased from train stations in Butterworth, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Padang Besar, Port Kelang, Rantau Panjang, Singapore and Wakaf Bharu. Reservations must be made in advance for seats in first-class, air-conditioned trains and a supplement is charged. Reservations may be made up to 3 months in advance from the Director of Commerce, Malayan Railway, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur. Enquire at Tourism Malaysia for further details.
Bus Local bus networks are extensive; there are almost 1000 routes, with regular services in and between all principal cities. 4-wheel-drive buses are used in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.
Trishaw Available in Penang and Malacca, these are inexpensive for short trips. Fares should be negotiated in advance.
City Centre Transport Parking in the centre of Kuala Lumpur and other towns is restricted to spaces for which a charge is made.
Public transport services in Kuala Lumpur are provided by conventional buses and by ’Bas Mini’ fixed-route minibuses, taxis and pedi-cabs (trishaws) licensed by the Government. Bus fares vary, but the ’Bas Mini’ has flat rates. These are used for short journeys, and tend to be crowded.
The PUTRA Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a quick way to get around the city and provides links to the eastern and western suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Routes and timetables are indicated in stations with an LRT logo.
Major Festivals and Public Transport During major festivals (especially Hari Raya Pusa, the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Haji), internal travel becomes extremely difficult unless tickets have been pre-booked long in advance. Domestic express bus tickets often go on sale up to two months before the festivals and sell out within one or two weeks. Even domestic flights tend to be packed during these periods. For festival dates contact Tourism Malaysia.
