Summary

The text describes a journey from Fraser's Hill to Penang via car and train, highlighting the convenience and comfort of the Electric Train Service (ETS) and the unexpected change in transportation options due to the termination of the Penang ferry service.

Abstract

The narrative recounts a travel experience in Malaysia, where the author and friends initially planned to take a taxi and train to Penang, but a friend offered a ride to Tanjung Malim instead. The group encountered monkeys on their descent and experienced efficient service at the Tanjung Malim train station. They enjoyed a comfortable, business class train ride on the Platinum ETS, which included amenities such as WiFi, reclining seats, and meal service. Upon arrival in Butterworth, they were surprised to learn that the ferry service to Penang had been discontinued, prompting them to use the Grab app to arrange a car ride to their destination. The author reflects on the convenience of modern travel amenities while expressing nostalgia for the ferry service that was a cherished part of their childhood trips to Penang.

Opinions

The author appreciates the convenience of having a friend drive them part of the way, saving them the need for a taxi.
The author finds the new winding Gap descent road interesting despite its narrowness.
The Tanjung Malim train station is praised for its cleanliness and efficiency.
The Platinum ETS service is highly regarded for its business class amenities, including meal service and comfortable seating, especially considering the reasonable ticket price.
The author expresses surprise and disappointment at the discontinuation of the Penang ferry service, which held sentimental value for them.
The use of the Grab app for transportation is seen as a convenient and economical alternative to the ferry, with the added benefit of being inclusive of bridge tolls.

Fraser’s Hill to Penang

Traveling north by car and train

Image by Rhonda Carrier (Platinum ETS train service)

Our original plan to get from Fraser’s Hill to Penang was to take a taxi down the mountain to Tanjung Malim and catch the express train to Butterworth before taking the ferry over to Penang island. However, our friend James, whom we drove up to Fraser’s Hill from Port Dickson with, also offered to drive us down the mountain and to drop us off at Tanjung Malim before he headed back to Port Dickson.

We drove down the new winding Gap descent road towards Kuala Kubu Bharu. It is just as narrow and slow as the old ascent road, but interesting. Around a curve in the road, we came across a family of monkeys by the side of the road.

Once we got down the mountain onto the highway, we were back to highway speed and at the train station in Tanjung Malim within an hour. We said our goodbyes to our friends and proceeded to the station to hand in our tickets which we had purchased online. The station master checked our tickets but informed us that we could not have access to the platform until an hour before the scheduled arrival of our train. With an hour to kill, we stood around the station, did some people watching, and took turns walking to stretch and get some exercise after the car ride.

Image by Rhonda Carrier (Stylish Muslim ladies entering platform)

At the appointed time we proceeded to scan our ticket QR codes at the entry bays. Our train was scheduled to arrive on platform 2 which was on the other side of the tracks. This was very easily done by taking an elevator up and a walkway across to the other side. Once over the tracks, there was another elevator to take us down to platform level. We were very impressed with the cleanliness and efficiency of the station.

Our tickets indicated we had seats in coach A. On the platform, there were markings where the different lettered coaches would stop. We found a comfortable bench by the letter A and waited for our train.

Images by Rhonda Carrier (views of Tg. Malim from platform 2)

During the wait we watched a number of other trains arrive and leave. One very interesting observation was a train that had coaches only reserved for ladies!

Our electric train from Kuala Lumpur arrived as scheduled at 2:50 PM and sure enough, coach A stopped right in front of us. When the train doors opened we were surprised to find that we did not have to climb any steps up onto the train. The level of the train floor was only slightly higher than the platform which made it very easy to walk on and roll our bags onto the train. A steward offered to store our bags in the luggage rack at the front of the coach and we found our way to our very comfortable designated seats.

When I purchased our tickets I must have purchased business class tickets as that’s what it said on the automatic doors of the coach. The tickets were so reasonably priced that I did not pay much attention! Our tickets indicated we were on the Platinum ETS (Electric Train Service). This is what business class travel on Platinum ETS offers: free WiFi; a dedicated steward and stewardess; 45-degree reclining seats; charging outlets at your seat for phones and computers; and meal service!

It was like traveling on a full-service airline. I was surprised that as soon as we sat down the steward said he would be serving us lunch which was already served to the other passengers earlier. Although the lunch was prepackaged, it was a very tasty local dish (some rice, chicken curry and vegetables) and bottled water.

Later at tea, we were served some pastries, a fruit cup, juice and tea or coffee. Very nice! The steward spoke excellent English and all the automated announcements were in both Malay and English. These announcements came on as each station was approached. There was also a digital board indicating all the stations of the service with a flashing light beside the next station. Just US$20 each for the comfortable three-hour train ride from Tanjung Malim to Butterworth.

There are three ETS services — silver, gold and platinum. The platinum train is the fastest as it stops at fewer stations. The silver train is the slowest since it stops at all the stations.

We arrived at Butterworth station on schedule at 5:40 PM, retrieved our luggage from the rack and walked off the train onto the platform. We then headed for the ferry service that would take us to Penang. Well, to our shock and disappointment, there is no longer a ferry service to Penang. With two bridges now connecting the mainland, the ferry service was terminated in December 2020! I was disappointed because I have great memories of taking the ferry as a child whenever we traveled to Penang for our holidays.

Images by Rhonda Carrier (Taking a Grab car to Penang)

Anyway, I got my phone out and clicked on the Grab app and ordered a car. I was surprised when the fare popped up — just around US$10 (inclusive of the bridge toll) from Butterworth train station, across the bridge to the Bayview Hotel in Georgetown, Penang, where we will spend the next six days.

Image by Rhonda Carrier (Bayview Hotel in background)

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