Padang Besar Hatyai Shuttle Service Resumes Operation Today

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The Padang Besar-Hatyai shuttle train service was shut down for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Twitter pic)HATYAI (THAILAND): The shuttle train service between Padang Besar, in Perlis, and Hatyai, in Thailand, resumed operations today after being shut down for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several people were seen waiting in line from as early as 8am at the State Railway Of Thailand (SRT) ticket counter at the Padang Besar Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) station to buy a ticket to Hatyai.
According to the KTM website, there are two trips daily between Padang Besar and Hatyai.
For the Padang Besar-Hatyai route, the departure times are 9.55am and 4.40pm (Malaysian time), while for the Hatyai-Padang Besar route, it is at 7.30am and 2.00pm (Thai time). Thailand is one hour behind Malaysia.
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One of the passengers, Boon Kee Ho, 44, from Gurun, Kedah said the resumption of the shuttle service greatly benefited commuters, especially those residing in the two border towns, as it was faster and cheaper to take the train than to drive.
“I boarded the KTM Komuter at 7.12am from Gurun and arrived at Padang Besar at 8.15am, and then went went straight to the SRT ticket counter, which opened at 8.30am, to get the ticket to Hatyai. It is easy and fast,” said the father of two.
Boon said his trip to Hatyai today was to meet an old friend and to enjoy the Thai food.
“It’s been two years since I last visited Thailand. Today, it’s just a day trip and so I’m here without my family. My next trip will be with my family,” he added.
Also taking the opportunity to go to Thailand with the reopening of the shuttle service from Padang Besar today was Yunus Zunun, 39, from Butterworth, Penang.
“This is my first train ride to Thailand,” he said, adding that he boarded the KTM Komuter from Butterworth at 6.25am and arrived at Padang Besar at 8.15am.
Yunus added that previously, he used to drive into Thailand.
“The train ride is more fun and relaxing, and also more convenient. The travelling time is almost the same, which is about an hour. But I don’t feel as tired as I would if I were to drive all the way,” he added. - FMT

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