Yes, there is now a Kulai–JB commuter train. KTMB’s Shuttle Selatan started on 16 June 2026, running Kulai–Kempas Baru–JB Sentral in about 30 minutes, with a Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang branch and, since 8 August 2026, an extension north to Paloh. It uses two interim train sets until new electric trains arrive in two to three years, and fares are distance-based, with Budget 2027 promising cheaper fares.
If you live in Kulai, Senai or Kempas and work in JB city centre, you know the morning drill: an hour or more in traffic for a 25 km trip. For years, commuters asked why the railway that runs right past their homes could not carry them to work. In late 2025 the government said it would, and in June 2026 the Kulai–JB commuter train finally began. Here is what is running now, what it costs, and what it means for your commute, including the link to the RTS Link to Singapore.
Is there a commuter train from Kulai to JB?
Yes. The service is called KTM Shuttle Selatan (Southern Shuttle). It was launched by Transport Minister Anthony Loke at Kulai station on 16 June 2026, and Bernama reported a journey time of about 30 minutes between Kulai and JB Sentral.
The plan was first set out when the ETS electric train reached Johor Bahru. On 11 December 2025, Loke said the ministry was designing a Kulai–JB commuter service, would redeploy existing coaches from the Gemas–JB route until new train sets arrived, and was aiming for about 16 trips each way per day eventually. Johor’s state transport committee chairman had earlier said fares were expected to stay under RM3, with temporary stations proposed at Taman Daya, Bandar Seri Alam and Kampung Pasir Putih. The service actually launched in June 2026 with two existing train sets and about 10 return trips a day on the Kulai–JB route, according to Bernama.
Shuttle Selatan stations and routes
The service runs on two routes that meet at Kempas Baru. All the main stations are existing KTM stations on the new Gemas–JB electrified double track.
| Route | Stations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main line | JB Sentral – Kempas Baru – Kulai | About 30 minutes Kulai–JB Sentral (Bernama) |
| Northern extension (from 8 Aug 2026) | Kulai – Layang-Layang – Rengam – Kluang – Paloh | Paloh–JB Sentral about 120 minutes; five trips each way |
| Pasir Gudang branch | Kempas Baru – Pasir Gudang | First passenger trains on the line in decades; change at Kempas Baru |
From the August 2026 timetable, the first train leaves Paloh at 3.55am and reaches JB Sentral at 5.52am, and the last leaves JB Sentral at 8.30pm. Each train carries up to 400 passengers.
How much is the Kulai–JB train fare?
Fares depend on distance. At launch, Bernama reported RM10.20 per trip between Kulai and JB Sentral, and paultan.org listed normal one-way fares on the network from RM7 to about RM16. Concessions apply.
- Concession fares (50% off): Malaysian children aged 2–6, students with a KTM i-Card Student, seniors aged 60 and above, and OKU, after registering in KITS.
- Passes: KTMB’s MyRailLife pass for Shuttle Selatan was extended to 31 December 2026 for eligible schoolchildren, young children and OKU.
- Payment: the KITS Style app, the KTMB website, kiosks and counters, or pay-as-you-go with Touch ’n Go, Komuter Link card, KTMB Wallet or contactless bank cards and mobile wallets.
- Cheaper fares ahead: on 8 October 2026 Loke said the Prime Minister would announce good news on Shuttle Selatan fares in Budget 2027, and the budget included a MYKOMUTER50 initiative for KTM Komuter users. Check KTMB for how it applies to Shuttle Selatan.
Because fares and pass schemes have changed several times since June 2026, confirm the current fare in the KITS Style app before you travel.
Is the Kulai train worth it for daily commuters?
For a commuter heading to JB city centre, the main win is predictability: about 30 minutes on the train versus more than an hour by car at peak, according to Bernama and Moovit. The trade-offs today are frequency and first-mile access.
- Frequency: about 10 return trips a day on Kulai–JB at launch is far below the 16 each way Loke first described. Plan around the timetable rather than turning up.
- Getting to the station: feeder buses serve Kulai, Kempas Baru and Pasir Gudang, but most commuters will still need a drive, ride or e-hailing to the station.
- Uptake so far: Loke said on 8 October 2026 that about 20,000 passengers had used the service since June, an average of 200 to 300 a day. The government covers RM11 million to RM15 million a year in operating costs, because fares alone will not.
What this means for you: if your office is near JB Sentral, City Square or the CIQ, the train already saves you traffic stress. If you work further out, test the train plus a bus or e-hailing leg on a normal weekday before you change your routine.
What happens next: new trains and the RTS
The current service is an interim one. Johor plans to buy 10 new electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train sets under a programme worth over RM200 million, expected within two to three years, and frequency and coverage will grow if demand is strong, Bernama reported at the launch. Budget 2027 also included 42 new train sets for ETS and KTM Komuter services nationwide.
The biggest change is the RTS Link. Its Bukit Chagar station sits about 400 m from JB Sentral, and in August 2026 the government approved a RM60 million bridge so Komuter passengers can walk straight from the platforms to the RTS station, expected to take about 12 months to build. RTS passenger service is targeted for February 2027, and the fare has not been announced. In practical terms, a Kulai resident could ride the commuter train to JB Sentral and walk to the RTS for a five-minute ride to Woodlands North. See our JB Sentral station guide and JB Sentral to RTS guide for the walking routes.
Live in Kulai or live near JB Sentral?
The commuter train makes Kulai more practical for people working in JB, but living near JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar still removes the train leg entirely. Here is a simple way to compare.
| Factor | Kulai + commuter train | JB city centre near RTS |
|---|---|---|
| Time to JB Sentral | About 30 minutes on the train, plus station access | Walking distance or a short ride |
| Trains per day | Limited timetable (interim fleet) | RTS designed for high frequency from launch |
| Best for | Larger homes, JB-based jobs, flexible hours | Singapore commuters, car-light living |
If you are weighing the two, our JB to Singapore commute guide and JB RTS Link condo page show what living close to the RTS looks like. Causewayz Square, EXSIM’s freehold project about 600 m from the CIQ, is one option, with a developer-proposed link bridge towards the CIQ and RTS and target completion around 2030. For the ETS line north to KL, read our ETS KL to Johor Bahru guide.
Want floor plans or the latest SPA price list? WhatsApp us.
Sources
- The Star: Commuter train rides between JB and Kulai to begin early next year, says Loke (Dec 2025)
- paultan.org: KTM Komuter Selatan between JB and Kulai plan (Dec 2025)
- Bernama: Southern Shuttle launched, 10 new commuter trains planned (Jun 2026)
- paultan.org: KTM Shuttle Selatan fares and payment (Jun 2026)
- Rail Travel Station: Shuttle Selatan extended to Paloh from 8 Aug 2026
- The Edge Malaysia: Loke on Southern Shuttle ridership and Budget 2027 (Oct 2026)
- Bernama: Budget 2027 public transport measures (Oct 2026)
- Malay Mail: RM60m Komuter–RTS bridge (Aug 2026)
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Timetables, fares and pass schemes change; check KTMB before you travel.