The Shuttle Selatan train service officially launched on June 16, 2026, connecting Johor Bahru Sentral to Kulai and Pasir Gudang in Malaysia [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The service aims to benefit about 2 million residents living in Kulai and Pasir Gudang, including commuters working in Singapore [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Initially, Shuttle Selatan runs on two main routes: Kulai-JB Sentral-Kulai and Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang-Kempas Baru, with four stops in total [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Passengers traveling to Pasir Gudang need to change trains at Kempas Baru [2, 3, 4, 5]. The Kulai to JB Sentral route offers five daily trips each way, while the Kempas Baru to Pasir Gudang route provides two daily trips each way [2, 3, 4, 5]. Travel time from Kulai to JB Sentral averages between 30 and 40 minutes [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The current train cabins are repurposed electric units pulled by diesel locomotives as a temporary arrangement. Authorities have ordered 10 new electric train sets costing RM200 million that are expected to arrive in two to three years [2, 3, 4, 5]. Plans also call for route expansion by that time to include stops like Paloh, Kluang, Renggam, Layang-layang on the Kulai line, and Bandar Baru Sri Alam, Taman Daya, Pasir Putih on the Pasir Gudang line [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Shuttle Selatan fares start at RM7 per ticket [2, 3, 4, 5]. To support passengers, the government introduced the Commuter Madani Shuttle Selatan Card, which offers unlimited rides and has been distributed free to 3,000 Johor residents so far [1]. Additional measures to improve connectivity include feeder bus services, park-and-ride facilities, and better alignment with existing bus routes [1].
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said, "Johor is a state that is fast developing and the need for public transport is increasingly important to link the city centre to towns and to industrial areas." He added that "a public transport system that is efficient and reliable is among the top factors for supporting economic growth" in the Johor-Singapore Special Zone [2].
Ahead of the 2027 RTS Link opening, Johor's caretaker Menteri Besar has called for approval of the state's Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project to manage future commuter crowds [5]. The arrival of the new electric trains and route expansions are expected by 2028-2029.
