KKKL Express Bus from JB Larkin Sentral to KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan)

KKKL is a long-standing express bus operator in Peninsular Malaysia and for this trip to KL to catch the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri special train, I decided to book my ticket on KKKL from Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral as they offered a 27-seater bus instead of the regular 30-seater which means more legroom for everyone.

Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral

Boarding procedures at JB Larkin Sentral is still the same, so it’s off to the ticket counters to retrieve my boarding pass. I made my KKKL bus booking online through BusOnlineTicket.

My boarding pass for the 2pm KKKL bus from JB Larkin Sentral to KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan).

The KKKL bus fare on BusOnlineTicket costs RM36 with a RM1.80 Processing Fee. On top of that, Larkin Sentral charges RM2 for boarding pass and facilities. The total price for KKKL from JB Larkin Sentral to KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) costs RM39.80.

Do note that KKKL is always one of the first bus operators to sell out on the JB-KL route, so getting your ticket on the spot for an immediate departure may not be possible.

My journey was on 19 April 2023 on the eve of the eve of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri long weekend, there was quite a bit of a crowd waiting to depart from Larkin Sentral.

Queue lines were readily set up in front of the CTS gates to the departure hall to cater to the mass exodus of passengers from the city in an orderly manner.

The departure hall of Larkin Sentral for express buses. This is open to passengers 30 minutes before scheduled departure time, regulated by the CTS gate.

Bus information is available on the information screens around the departure hall.

There was no sign of many 2pm express buses, most likely owing to the southbound highway jam resulting in many delayed departures due to the delay of the incoming buses.

KKKL Express

My KKKL bus arrived at Platform B08 at 2.16pm which was already 16 minutes delayed from scheduled departure. Oh well, could be worse with the other operators.

Boarding passes are once again checked by a KKKL ground staff at the bus door before boarding.

The interior of the KKKL bus from JB Larkin Sentral to KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan).

I booked seat 18 for this trip which is a single seat with a good window view.

The generous legroom on board KKKL with 9 rows of seats instead of the usual 10 on the JB-KL route.

A calf rest is available which propper my legs up comfortably with more space in front. The leg rest seems to be bolted up tight, and I was unable to pull it down even with force.

It was a 100% full bus for this trip.

My KKKL bus reversed out of the platform at 2.20pm – 20 minutes delayed.

Heading out of JB Larkin Sentral.

Heading on Danga Bay Interchange.

PLUS North-South Expressway

Heading on the PLUS North-South Expressway at Skudai Toll Plaza.

There was a bit of a jam on the merge with traffic from Tuas due to filtering.

300km to go.

It started raining along the way which was a good respite to the heat.

Tangkak Lay-by Northbound

This was short-lived as the heat was back full on when the KKKL bus stopped at Tangkak Lay-by Northbound for a toilet break.

Tangkak Lay-by Northbound is simple which I like as this ensures passengers can only go to the toilet and nowhere else, making it a definite quick stop.

Food trucks are available at Tangkak Lay-by Northbound, but as it was still Ramadan, business was slow in the afternoon.

Heading back to the KKKL bus after a quick toilet break.

Heading back on the highway.

154km to go.

The KKKL bus exited at UPM Toll Plaza which was early, but perhaps the driver was expecting a jam up at Sungai Besi.

Turning right on to Sungai Besi Expressway.

Heading parallel with the PLUS Highway on Sungai Besi Expressway.

Passing by the new RAC car park at Serdang Railway Station.

Passing by the revitalised Serdang Railway Station.

Heading through the Mines Toll Plaza on the Sungai Besi Expressway.

Passing by Sungai Besi MRT & LRT Station.

Kuala Lumpur Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS)

Turning in to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan).

There was a long queue of buses waiting to head up to the bus ramp for arrivals and departures.

My KKKL bus arrived at Kuala Lumpur Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) at 6.24pm, making this a journey time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, or 4 hours and 24 minutes if taking in to account the scheduled departure time.

Heading up the escalator to the linkway to the arrival hall.

Heading into the arrival hall.

There was a lot of people at TBS waiting for their buses to balik kampung.

From here, I headed out via the linkbridge to the train stations to make my way into KL city for dinner and the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri special train.

Conclusion

While the delay of 20 minutes was not what I was expecting from KKKL, it could be a physical issue as southbound traffic was quite bad with everyone leaving KL, and almost all buses departing from Larkin was delayed due to late arrival of all incoming buses, so I guess this could be forgiven taking into account the Hari Raya exodus traffic. Northbound traffic was fine as it is the reverse route of entering KL when everyone is trying to leave. Other bus operators had more delays, so I guess KKKL still worked out in the end with just a 20-minute delay. The extra legroom on board made the journey more comfortable too.