BATU GAJAH, MALAYSIA - KTM Berhad will charge a fare of between RM30 (S$13) and RM35 for the Electric Train Service (ETS) between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur scheduled to operate in the first week of August.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the fare was competitive as the Goverment had taken into consideration the welfare of commuters.

"The fare can be considered cheap. KTMB initially applied for a fare of RM50 but it was rejected by the Government.

"We want to encourage the public to use the service which is more comfortable and safe compared to express bus services. That is why we want the fare to be competitively priced," he told reporters after the opening of the KTMB complex by Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah here yesterday.

Kong added that there would be five ETS trains providing eight return trips for the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh route daily.

The first train will leave at 5am and the last at 11pm.

He said KTM would increase the number of trips if there was great demand for the services especially during festivals.

With a speed of 140kph, the service is expected to reduce travel time between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur to about two hours from three hours previously.

Meanwhile, Kong said the new KTMB complex, built on a 75ha area, cost about RM400mil.

He said the project started in November 2006 and was completed in November 2008.