KTM Komuter Northern Sector

KTM Komuter Northern Sector
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KTM Class 83 for KTM Komuter Northern Sector.
Overview
Native name	KTM Komuter Sektor Utara
Status	Operational
Owner	Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Locale	Greater Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis
Termini	Butterworth Bukit Mertajam Padang Besar Padang Rengas
Stations	20
Website	www.ktmb.com.my
Service
Type	Commuter Rail
System	KTM Komuter
Services	1  Butterworth–Padang Rengas  2  Butterworth–Padang Besar
Route number	1, 2
Operator(s)	Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Komuter Division)
Depot(s)	Bukit Tengah
Rolling stock	KTM Class 81 3-car formation KTM Class 83 3-car formation KTM Class 92 6-car formation
History
Opened	11 September 2015 (2015-09-11)
Technical
Line length	Butterworth–Padang Rengas: 104 km (65 mi) Butterworth–Padang Besar: 169.8 km (105.5 mi)
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Electrification	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
Operating speed	Up to 120 km/h (75 mph)
Route map 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 Kerian River bridge Penang Perak state border Parit Buntar Bagan Serai Bukit Merah Lake Railway Bridge Kamunting Taiping Larut Tunnel Bukit Berapit Tunnel Padang Rengas Kuala Kangsar Perak River bridge (Formerly Victoria Bridge) Sungai Siput Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur, Gemas & Johor Bahru Sentral

The KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Malay: KTM Komuter Sektor Utara) is one of the five 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, which also saw the extension of the ETS service to Padang Besar from Ipoh.

Currently, the KTM Komuter Northern Sector consists of two routes, namely the Butterworth–Padang Besar route and the Butterworth–Padang Rengas route. The lines share the tracks with the ETS service; the Komuter trains call at stations not served by the ETS.

Lines, stations and rolling stock

The KTM Komuter Northern Section consists of two routes:

•  1  Butterworth–Padang Rengas
•  2  Butterworth–Padang Besar

The two route network effective since 4 November 2021 when the route between Butterworth – Padang Rengas replaced the earlier Bukit Mertajam–Kamunting route. The Bukit Mertajam, Bukit Tengah and Butterworth Stations are the shared interchange stations between the two lines.

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	●		Access to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport within 5 to 8 minutes by taxi.
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 Rapid Ferry. Interchange.
Bukit Tengah	2 Island		●
Bukit Mertajam	2 Island		●	Interchange station
Simpang Ampat	2 Side		●
Nibong Tebal	2 Side		●
Parit Buntar	2 Side		●
Bagan Serai	2 Side		●
Kamunting	2 Island		●
Taiping	2 Side		●
Padang Rengas	2 Island		●	Terminus of the blue line (southern terminus).

The train that are used to run on this track were the Class 83 and Class 92 while the other sets are used to operate on the Central sector.

Schedule

KTM Komuter Northern Sector has 2 routes/lines, in which they have their own schedule.

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. 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 services that ran between these stations have ceased.

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.

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.

As of November 4, 2021, trains from Padang Rengas and Padang Besar are now to terminate at Butterworth, making Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam the shared interchange stations between the two lines.

See also

• Keretapi Tanah Melayu
  • KTM Intercity
    • KTM West Coast Line
    • KTM East Coast Line
    • KTM ETS
  • KTM Komuter
    • 1 Seremban Line
    • 2 Port Klang Line
    • 10 KL Sentral-Terminal Skypark Line
• Malaysian Railway System

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