Just a brief introduction of myself, I’m a frequent traveller to and fro the two cities. I’ve been doing this for the past 15 years, not one or two. Doing this for such a long time, I realised that there’s a pattern to the buses.

Travel fares (As at publishing date)

Note that if you travel from JB, you pay fares in Ringgit Malaysia. If you board the bus at Singapore Customs or in Singapore, you’d have to pay in Singapore Dollars.

Want to be time and cost efficient? You can be a smart traveller. Read on.

JB Customs to Kranji
Causeway Link (Bus CW1) – $0.90
SBS Transit (Bus 170) – $1.00
JB Customs to Jurong East
SBS Transit (Bus 160) – Not sure of price, but there’s no competitors.
JB Customs to Woodlands Interchange
SMRT (Bus 950)
JB to Queens Street (Bugis)
JB-SG Express (Only 1 bus) – $2.50
Causeway Link (CW2)- $2.50

If you just got off the bus/mrt with an ezlink card, it would be worth it to use the transfer rebate and get on a SBS/SMRT Bus.

Travelling Strategy

There are certain times that we consider peak hours:-

• Monday Mornings (7am-9am) – Out to Singapore
• Everyday (530pm-8pm) – to JB
• Friday Evenings (5pm-10pm) – to JB
• Saturday & Sunday (Whole morning and afternoon) – to JB
• Sunday (4pm – 10pm) – to Singapore

During peak hours, the queues are usually longer than usual. I mean really a lot longer.

What bus to take?

Depending on where you are travelling to. If you’re travelling from Queens Street, you can take both buses, they’re both okay. What you’re going to read below is for boarding the bus at Kranji.

Generally, if you’re heading to Larkin Bus Terminal, do NOT take CW1/CW2. Just take 170. I realise that their buses just disappear at JB customs and they will arrange for a shuttle bus to fetch you to Larkin. My previous wait was almost an hour.

Peak hours to JB – It is actually okay to take any bus.

Non-peak hours to JB – Do NOT take Causeway Link’s CW1. You won’t want to be stuck at Singapore Customs with no bus and having to switch to 170/160/950 – you’ll end up wasting your fare.

Non/Peak hours to SG – From JB Customs, all buses are okay, but note that 950 has less buses. If you’re heading to Kranji, do NOT take CW1 if you’re in a rush. CW1 buses disappear at Singapore Customs, I notice. So, take 170.

I have no intention to flame Causeway Link, but I’m hate the way CW1 and CW2 buses make us wait. I’m not the only one complaining. Their buses take damn long to arrive if you’re not travelling during the peak hours. Refer to the above peak times. So I’d recommend that you take SBS/SMRT buses.

If you’re representing Causeway Link/Handal Indah and you have comments, feel free to contact me.

So do you have any travelling tips you’d like to share with us?