The current railway station was built as part of the Ipoh–Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project, which was completed in December 2014.

ETS and Komuter services do make a stop here and the location is considered very strategic in Perlis as it is near to Arau bus station that serves bus routes to Kangar, Changlun and Alor Setar, and there's also taxi services that may drive passengers to Kuala Perlis, well known being one of the main jetty for Langkawi Island in Kedah.

Due to that fact, passengers going to the island mostly alight at this station as well as people going to Kangar and places nearby.

It also serves Pauh nearby, where Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is located.

Several education institutions are located nearby the station, namely the MARA Technology University (UiTM) Arau Branch and Perlis Matriculation College.