If you are a working professional, couple, student, foreigner, tourist, or a local from Johor, Singapore, or from Kuala Lumpur, I would like to share my travelling experience with the Express Bus Service of “Causeway Link – The Smiling Bus” during our short holiday in Kuala Lumpur during the Labour Day.
First, I searched online about the ins and outs of Johor Bahru (JB) as well as on how to go to Kuala Lumpur via public transport to visit my embassy and other places of interest like the iconic Petronas Tower or Twin Tower, Menara Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves, and a lot more.
With my research findings, I found this Causeway Link portal where it has a variety of routes related to transport services within the different districts of Johor, Cross-Border Bus Service to Singapore, and Express Bus Services that go to Melaka and even in Kuala Lumpur.
Booking My Travelling Time
Booking is easy as I just visited their website (causewaylink.com.my) and I booked my ticket via the e-ticketing portal.
I booked my travelling date on the 1st of May 2017 and printed out the email that I received from them during my online transaction and proceed to their counter for my boarding pass.
I brought my wife and my son with me, and since my son is below two years old, the bus fare was free. So I booked for two seats for this trip. From JB, I went to the Causeway Link Counter No. 46 inside the Larkin Bus Terminal to get my boarding pass and proceed to platform No. 16 based on what the ticketing counter staff had indicated into our travelling itinerary.
The Causeway Link Double-decker bus was waiting for us and I checked the bus plate number based on my boarding pass and it is correct. So we went in.
Boarding the bus was simple, just proceed to the specified platform and showed our ticket to their time-keeper and he allowed us to go inside the bus after confirming our boarding pass. Their Causeway Link staff was also accommodating. Unfortunately, I need to speak both basic Bahasa and basic English for them to understand me (since I’m a foreigner).
About the Journey
From JB to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) Kuala Lumpur, the journey took us for around five hours. Normally the travelling time for JB to TBS is around four hours. The journey took us around five hours because the speed of the bus along the stretch of Melaka heading to Kuala Lumpur highway has to slow down due to car congestion caused by a car accident.
The five hour trip from JB to TBS was already inclusive of two stopovers for refreshment. Most of the passenger requested for a toilet break that is why the driver needs to look for the nearest RNR along the highway.
As we are on a double-decker bus, the journey was fantastic. The long stretch of palm trees planted nearby the highway was very soothing and relaxing.
Going Back To Johor Bahru From TBS
Going back to JB from TBS was also smooth. We’ve just presented the ticket to Counter A inside the TBS and they immediately instructed us to go to Gate No. 2 where the Causeway Link Bus Service is waiting for other passengers.
The journey from TBS to JB was within four-hour ride with one toilet break along Pagoh area. The journey was very convenient and smooth. We took the 5pm bus going to JB and we reached Larkin Terminal at around 9.18pm.
Facilities Inside The Bus
Well, I am not rating the bus as perfect but I can give a 5-Star in terms of its interior design, air conditioning, cleanliness, the luxury seat arrangement, and the ambiance of the whole express bus service. It is clean and very comforting. And since it is a public holiday, the bus was quite full, and the air-con was still strong. I have nothing to say about it. It was indeed a great experience.
The bus was also equipped with a fire extinguisher and some safety equipment such as CCTV and SPAD Safety Reminders related to emergency matters. This is worth 5-star rate as these kind of facilities are good reminders which a commuter should always look upon too for a safe and reliable travelling experience.
My Advice When Travelling
When taking in Causeway Link Express Bus Service on your way to TBS to JB or JB to TBS, I would suggest that you should be at TBS or Larkin Bus Terminal at least 15 minutes before your departure time so that your travelling experience will not be rushed.
When travelling during public holidays, I would suggest that you should take an early booking or seat reservation for your ticket via online or in any of the Causeway Link Counter or Agent so that you are assured of the seat. This will also ease your burden for queuing especially inside TBS.
Always prepare a long sleeve or at least a thin jacket especially during night trip as the air-con inside the bus was a bit freezing. We must also be considerate to other passengers who requests for a toilet break to our bus drivers. And finally, always keep your receipt in case of emergency inspection from the bus inspector.
Note: This article was previously published in another site on May 10, 2017.