KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 10 -- The Electric Train Service (ETS) connecting Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru is slated to debut next week, delivering a major boost for rail connectivity and tourism in Malaysia's southern region.

Previously, ETS trains primarily served only the central and northern region and the furthest it went south was only up to Gemas in Negri Sembilan.

This year, however, national rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) extended the southern ETS stretch to Segamat, starting March 15 and subsequently launched the southern-bound ETS3 line on August 30, connecting KL to Kluang.

With speeds up to 140km/h, the ETS3 could reach from Kuala Lumpur to Kluang in around three and a half hours, covering nine stops in between. ...