Nice++: Putrajaya Sentral to Larkin Sentral Johor Bahru by Bus

Unknown to many, Putrajaya Sentral functions both as a stage bus terminal as well as an express bus terminal, though most routes are to the north and east of Peninsular Malaysia. Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB) takes the monopoly on the Putrajaya Sentral – Larkin Sentral Johor Bahru route with services operated by Nice++ and Plusliner. For this trip, I chose Nice++ so that I get a big seat rather than saving a bit of money on Plusliner’s high-density buses.

Following the signs to Putrajaya Sentral Terminal B Express after alighting from the KLIA Transit.

The usual exit to the bus terminals.

Instead of heading down immediately, continue straight.

Yup, I don’t see how the Putrajaya Monorail can continue using the existing tracks. A classic example of if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Taking the staircase down to Putrajaya Sentral Terminal B.

The Transnasional counter can already be seen before heading down the stairs.

The spacious waiting area with almost nobody waiting for buses, the exact opposite of TBS.

The various express bus counters around Putrajaya Sentral Terminal B.

Heading to the Transnasional counter to check-in for my bus trip using my Easybook printout. The Easybook Order Summary needs to be presented to the counter upon check-in, otherwise, the Transnasional counter may charge RM1.00 to print the ticket.

At 2.30pm, the Nice Executive arrived from Puchong Tesco. Ah, I was hoping I would get the newer Nice++ as what my ticket said. Oh well.

The Nice Executive coach at Putrajaya Sentral.

The destination sign of the Nice Executive coach. No more Singapore.

The interior of the Nice Executive coach. There were passengers already on board, who boarded at the bus’s origin at Puchong Tesco.

My single seat 7A for this bus ride.

The legroom on board Nice Executive.

The personal entertainment screens have been removed from the seat backs.

The Nice Executive coach is now in a rather sorry state with poor maintenance of facilities. I guess I’m lucky that my table clip is still in tact.

Half the tray tables have their clips missing, causing them to drop down. Reminds me of KTM’s ASCs.

Nice is now not nice.

The view of the Nice Executive bus from my seat.

Once the doors were closed, I made my way to an empty pair of seats one row behind to shield myself from the sun. The power sockets here were not working.

Departing from Putrajaya Sentral sharp on time at 2.45pm.

Good luck passing through the viaduct piers.

Heading out of Putrajaya Sentral.

Looking back at Park & Ride Putrajaya Sentral.

Interestingly flying over the Dengkil Bypass.

Looking back at Cyberjaya, following similar to airport buses from KL.

Continuing straight, and not exiting to KLIA and klia2.

Approaching Nilai interchange.

Merging onto the North-South Expressway.

It’s the familiar North-South Expressway from here on.

Approaching R&R Pagoh Selatan Southbound.

Making a 20-minute break at R&R Pagoh Selatan Southbound.

The Nice Executive coach at R&R Pagoh Selatan Southbound.

Heading into R&R Pagoh Selatan Southbound to use the toilet.

R&R Pagoh Selatan Southbound has a food court with a wide selection of local food. However, as this wasn’t meal time, I didn’t buy anything from here.

Toilets are located at the back of the food court.

Heading back to the coach bay to reboard my Nice Executive coach.

The service rack for the steward on the Nice Executive service has also been removed.

Heading back down to the North-South Expressway. I moved back to my original seat as the aircon at the rear was very weak, almost non-existent.

Between Kulai and Senai, there was quite a jam on the North-South Expressway with total stops at some points.

Approaching the Skudai Toll Plaza.

Passing by Gerbang Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri.

Cabin lights were switched on on approach to Larkin Sentral.

Entering Larkin Sentral.

Taking an upfront arrival berth.

The interior of the Nice Executive coach at night after all passengers have disembarked.

The Nice Executive coach arrived at 7.33pm, making this a total journey time of 4 hours and 48 minutes.

Heading into the terminal building to exit from the arrival platform.

Overall, Nice Executive has definitely seen better days when it came to Singapore with meal services by a steward and on-board entertainment screens. Now, all the unnecessary facilities are either broken or removed. The air-conditioning was also quite weak. That being said, the premium charged for this Nice++ service is not exorbitant too. I paid just MYR39.81 for this, including a compulsory RM0.50 KTB Insurance, so it’s just a very minimal markup from the regular bus fares, and factoring the distance from Putrajaya, it’s not much, so I would say it’s still reasonable to take Nice Executive if you’re on this route since there’s pretty much no other option for a 2+1 seater bus.