Final journey on KTM train
In a three-part feature series on the final days of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, Yahoo! Singapore takes a final trip on the railway train to discover the wealth of untold stories and history held dear by the KTM staff, Malaysians and Singaporeans alike.
In this second part, Faris Mokhtar and Jeanette Tan hop onto an afternoon train from Tanjong Pagar and take a short trip to Johor Bahru, speaking to passengers and staff who work on the train.
For some, it has become nearly a daily routine. However, for others, it has become nearly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. the first, and last time they will be able to experience a train ride from the KTM railway station.
Last Saturday afternoon, the Yahoo! Singapore news crew decided to grab the opportunity to take one of the last few remaining train rides from Singapore to Johor Bahru from the KTM railway station, and find out about passengers' feelings during their journey.
Our train was scheduled to depart at 1pm. By 12pm, hoards of excited passengers -- mostly Singaporeans -- were waiting by the entry gate to reach the platform station.
The crowds thronged in as the gates opened, and it was somewhat surreal to see no high-technology machines in place. Instead, tickets were clipped manually by KTM staff.
Although clearing immigration was a breeze, it was an interesting experience for some, to have their passports stamped by the Malaysian immigration even before they had left Singapore.
"It was slightly bizarre for me," said 22-year-old Hadi Ahmad. "Because if you usually go to Johor by car or bus, the Malaysian customs will only chop your passport once you reached there.
"But here, we haven't even left Singapore, yet technically you have entered Malaysia. So this is truly a first for me," the undergraduate said, laughing.
As passengers started to board the train, many grabbed the chance for photo opportunities with their family members.
We chanced upon Roslan Mohd Nor, 47, who happened to be our train driver -- telling us that this would be his last time entering Singapore -- at least, via the same route.
Spending half of his adulthood serving KTM as one of its staff, Roslan landed the driver's seat seven years after he first joined the company in 1986.
"I was of course sad that they will be stopping the train service to Tanjong Pagar because I have been to Singapore as a train driver for 18 years.
"And this is the last day that I enter Singapore, so it will be a memory that I will never forget," he told Yahoo! Singapore.
As the train pulled out of the station at approximately 1.15pm, some passengers walked along the train aisles, "getting a feel" of the train, while others, cameras in hand, stood at the doorways to snap pictures.
Banker Nor Liza, 26, was taking the train with her friends to Segamat, a town in Johor Bahru.
"I think it's quite interesting, though nothing much of a view," she said, laughing. "But at least you are able to see, get a feel of it. It's my first time taking the train, and I recall the last time I took the train was with my mum when I was young, so I can't remember how it felt like, you know?"
Others shared similar sentiments — many citing the wish to relive the nostalgia felt when they first boarded the train decades ago.
Financial consultant Radhesh, 31, was one of them, "This is the first time I'm on the train since how many years ago, maybe when I was still a small boy."
"Back then, it wasn't air-conditioned. We took the overnight train, there were bunk beds and it was much more cramped. But right now, it's like very comfortable," he added.
The year was 1979 when retiree Siti Rahimah experienced her first train ride.
"When I heard Tanjong Pagar (station) is going to close, we booked the ticket, also because my family wants to celebrate my birthday in KL, then why not we take the train?" she said.
It was a heart-wrenching conversation as the 59-year-old went on to share that being a cancer patient already in the advanced stages, she was spurred to travel by train before it closed.
When asked what the experience was like, she said, "I like it very much! So I am happy to take this train, you know."
As the curtain comes down on Tanjong Pagar station, many experienced mixed feelings. Some have lamented its loss, and many others called for it to be preserved and maintained, to remind future generations of a history which physically 'linked both nations'.
"I understand from the government perspective but it's going to be a major loss for Singapore history. That they'll be stopping it (train service) completely," said Radhesh.
"It's very nostalgic. I'm very attached to the railway, been living in Spottiswoode Park all my life, so… it's just a feeling you get you know? You want to be on one of the last few trains before it ends."
"This building should be preserved by the Singapore government as a heritage centre for future generations in Singapore," said Roslan.
Now that he will no longer enter Singapore as a train driver, will he still travel to the country as a tourist?
"I will come to Singapore for sure. And to see whether the station is being maintained or not, I will make sure of that," he said, roaring into laughter.
For many, this train ride was nostalgic. For the first-timers (including us), it was likely an unforgettable experience. One can only cherish the experience of being part of this history that will be turned into memories.
