Plusliner from Seremban to JB Larkin Sentral

Plusliner is a long-standing bus operator in Malaysia, nowadays focusing mainly on economy intercity coaches. Heading back to Singapore from Seremban, I opted to go via JB as there are currently very limited buses departing from Seremban to Singapore. This also gives me an opportunity to see how Plusliner fares on an economy long-haul seat with their unique 2+2 and 1+1+1 seat layouts.

Terminal One Seremban

Terminal One Seremban is the main bus terminal in Seremban, located attached to the Terminal One Shopping Centre Seremban, and connected to Seremban Railway Station by an underpass and sheltered walkway.

Plusliner Bus

I arrived at Terminal One Seremban just before departure time of 4.30pm, and boarding was simple and fuss-free with a staff checking my BusOnlineTicket ticket on my phone at the bus door, and I boarded instantly. No need for check-in or boarding passes and reconciliation systems here at Terminal One Seremban.

The unique interior of the Plusliner bus in a 2+2 and a 1+1+1 configuration. The first 24 seats are in a 2+2 configuration, while the rear 14 seats are in a 1+1+1 configuration, and finally the last 3 seats pushed right back in a row by themselves.

While this means smaller seats as compared to the Super VIP standard, Plusliner fares are also lower at RM28.90 for this journey from Seremban to JB.

A closer look at the 1+1+1 seat configuration at the rear.

My booked eat was at 6A, which was a single seat by the left window.

The legroom on board Plusliner which was surprisingly not too bad for an 11-row bus. However, do note that the legroom in the last 2 rows of seats are dreadful.

A power socket is available at the back of the seat in front. A pleasant touch.

2 air-conditioning vents are also provided for the single window seat.

The bus was not full at departure time, at just 6 passengers on board, so I changed seats to the one behind or a better window view, and took a middle seat for my bags.

Seat 7A offers a good window view with good legroom too.

I’m pleased to report that the USB power socket works well to charge my phone.

My Plusliner bus departed from Terminal One Seremban at 4.32pm – 2 minutes delayed.

Heading out of Terminal One Seremban.

Passing by the underpass to the sheltered walkway to Seremban Railway Station.

Turning left north at Jalan Dato Bandar Tunggal due to the road layout in Seremban.

Looping back around at Jalan Dato Sheikh Ahmad.

Turning towards the PLUS Highway before SMK King George V.

Crossing over the KTM tracks south of Seremban Railway Station.

Passing by Seremban EMU Depot.

Passing by Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital Seremban.

Passing through the Jalan Lingkaran Tengah interchange and above the old railway line to Port Dickson.

Turning in to the PLUS Highway.

PLUS North-South Expressway

Heading through Port Dickson Toll Plaza.

Heading onto the PLUS Highway away from Seremban and KL just before the evening jams.

265km to go to JB.

Lay-by Kampung Bemban Southbound

Arriving at Lay-by Kampung Bemban Southbound for a toilet stop with other express buses here too.

Food trucks are available at Lay-by Kampung Bemban Southbound for drinks and light snacks.

The toilet is located behind the car park.

Heading back to the bus after a quick break.

It was just a quick 6-minute break as there were only 6 people on board the bus and everyone came back quickly.

Departing from Lay-by Kampung Bemban Southbound.

PLUS North-South Expressway

Heading back on the PLUS Highway for the remainder of the journey.

Heading through Skudai Toll Plaza on approach to JB.

Heading under the KTM PTP Line with the crawling traffic towards JB.

Passing by Paradigm Mall.

Traffic slowed more at Tampoi before clearing up after Pasir Gudang Highway.

Heading through the Jalan Datin Halima Cloverleaf Interchange thrice to Larkin Sentral.

Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral

Arriving in JB Larkin Sentral.

My Plusliner bus from Terminal One Seremban arrived at Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral at 8.17pm, making this a journey time of 3 hours and 45 minutes, or 3 hours and 47 minutes if taking into account scheduled departure time.

Looking back at the 1+1+1 interior of the Plusliner bus with a divider panel and table for the first middle seat in front of the main aisle.

The overall interior of the Plusliner bus.

The Plusliner bus at Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral.

As I was heading back to Singapore, I headed into the terminal building to the Singapore Departure Hall to get my bus back.

If going to JB Sentral, myBAS Johor Bahru Bus T10 and myBAS Johor Bahru Bus T13 departs from the same arrival berth area as express buses.

Conclusion

Despite the economy offerings of Plusliner, the single seats in the 1+1+1 seater area was surprisingly comfortable. Perhaps the relatively empty bus helped with the stretching out. The USB power socket was also very welcome for this almost-4-hour bus ride to unplug my phone at 100% at the end of the journey. For the budget-conscious, the lower fare of Plusliner as compared with other Super VIP 2+1 seater buses would also perhaps be the main pull factor. There was also no surprise stops at other towns en route, with a fuss-free Seremban to JB journey only, with 1 toilet break stop, which makes Plusliner trustworthy.