Nice. Just to explain why your Express Selatan train from JB to Gemas keeps stopping mid-journey & why it's slower than usual at the moment. 1) It's currently running on a single track system. So they have designated layovers at certain stops to allow trains coming from the other direction to pass by, depending on which train reaches the stop first. The first train that reaches that stop first will be on another track so that the later train can bypass. Only then, can the train be cleared to continue the journey. From your video, it seems you were on ES42. This train has scheduled stopovers at Mengkibol (near Kluang) to allow the Express Rakyat Timuran from Tumpat to pass. Only when the train has passed, then only could your train continue the journey. Simply put, your train had to stop because there is another train in its way. 2) certain sections had to run at slow speed. As you pointed out in the video, it's due to construction. This construction is the Gemas - Johor Bahru Electrification Double Track project. This is to turn the current single track system into the double track system you see on the ETS. So yes, this means ETS is coming to JB soon (by 2026). But while you are right to mention the workers on the tracks, it is actually more than that. The new stations under construction are also on the line, hence trains have been ordered to slow down at a minimal speed when going through these new stations for safety reasons. This also applies to sections where the new tracks or adjoining tracks are being installed, & areas where new flyovers over the new tracks (including the upcoming RTS) are under construction. That's why you can potentially reach Gemas early as these factors have already been factored into the train's travel time. So yep. Perhaps next time when ETS extends down to JB Sentral after the Double track project perhaps you guys might want to try again. Because by then there will be no need to wait 2hrs at Gemas. 🤣 And also, there will no longer be needing to stopover to let trains in the other direction to bypass as they would be using the other track instead.
@@aaronandchar_ no problem. Also to answer Char's question at 14:21 as to why the ETS train may be late, "like there's no traffic, right?" Well, actually there IS traffic. This is because KTMB do not just offer Intercity & ETS services, they also offer local Komuter rail & freight services. These share the same tracks with the Intercity & ETS. (You can see there was a freight rail in the background at 12:53). While those in the opposite direction generally do not affect the train service unless it cross into the same track at some point before, but there could be those ahead in the same direction. Hence as a safety precaution, the train driver have to look out for the traffic signals which will direct the train appropriately, whether he had to slow down, stop, or allowed to proceed beyond.
@@nick_1551 Didn't notice they share the tracks with local komuter rail freight services too! We don't really take trains, so thanks for pointing that out. Now we know what to look out for in future train rides 😆
Malaysia railway progress is impressive ! 2010 - ETS from Gemas to Padang Besar 2026 - ETS from JB to Kuala Lumpur (final stage). 2027 - ECRL from KL to East Coast states (in construction). TBA - ‘Pan Borneo’ railway from Sarawak-Brunei-Sabah & connected to indonesian territory (pre-proposal stage). Plus, Penang (island) & Johor Bahru would have their own first metro line by next 3-5 years.
