In Malaysia, the new CRRC ETS3 electric trains are in operation, enabling super comfortable and quick rides from Kuala Lumpur to Johor with the 285 KM journey lasts only 3.5 hours. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Modern CRRC Electric Trains Start Operations in Malaysia
Photo: KTM Berhad

Manufacturing and Localization in Malaysia

The first two trains under the 2020 contract were built at CRRC’s Chinese plant in Zhuzhou. The other eight, meanwhile, are being constructed in Malaysia, in the Batu Gajah complex. As a result the project contributes to the expansion of the national railway industry.

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Each six-car set seats 312 passengers, with 36 in business class. The trains feature a bistro area and an intelligent diagnostic system to improve safety, and to support drivers during their work.

Technical Features and Advantages

These achieve a maximum speed of 140 km/h and are ideally suitable for service on IC lines. Meanwhile, they are able to negotiate curves with a radius of as tight as 100m.

The vessel’s systems are energised by 640 Ah batteries allowing for two hours emergency operation of critical systems. However, operational information indicates flawless function service on all of them.

Since when did the new CRRC electric trains run in Malaysia?

The first units were put into service in late August 2025, initially used for normal passenger services between Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

How many people can an ETS3 electric train hold?

Between 10-8 passengers will travel comfortably in each rail car withstanding up to 312 riders at full capacity for each train set with 36 business class seats.

Why do the trains in Malaysia have technical benefits?

The trains run at a maximum speed of 140km/h, they have intelligent diagnostics and can run for two hours in automatic mode under emergency power.

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