The Shuttle Tebrau is arguably the most popular mode of transport between Woodlands and Johor Bahru despite passenger numbers not showing, mainly because plenty of people can’t buy a ticket even if they wanted to as there is very little supply of seats. Due to the popular demand, KTM Berhad had to introduce a new KTM Shuttle Tebrau Ticketing System just for the Shuttle Tebrau to cater to ticketing demands as it would send their servers on a frenzy every morning at 8.30am, 30 days before departure of the opened trains. I took this trip to JB on the Shuttle Tebrau 78up specially to test out the new system after the migration to the new KTM Shuttle Tebrau Ticketing System.
As Shuttle Tebrau tickets can now be purchased online again by anyone who holds a recognized credit or debit card, and not just Malaysian internet banking accounts, the queues at Woodlands CIQ have disappeared, not just for passengers who wish to buy a ticket in cash, but also because Shuttle Tebrau tickets no longer need to be reprinted at the counter.
The Woodlands CIQ counter area now serves as an air-conditioned waiting area for those wise enough to not queue at the non-air-conditioned bridge too early.
The Shuttle Tebrau ticket can be flashed on your phone along with your passport for visual verification by the staff at the boarding gate on the bridge. The KTM staff will scan the ticket QR code before allowing you to pass.
Once done with immigration, I boarded the relatively empty afternoon Shuttle Tebrau 78up train on a Sunday.
The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach, which seem to be a permanent rake of the Shuttle Tebrau.
The view out of the coach towards the KTM ticketing counter and Woodlands Checkpoint pedestrian entrance.
Departing from Woodlands CIQ 2 minutes late.
Passing by the water pipes on the Johor–Singapore Causeway.
Heading north towards Malaysia, just like how the water is flowing too.
The heavy jam heading into Singapore on a Sunday.
Passing by R&F Princess Cove.
Heading under the road viaducts.
Entering JB Sentral.
Entering JB Sentral Platform 4. The Shuttle Tebrau 78up arrived in JB Sentral 3 minutes late.
The up escalator was not working on the day of my arrival.
Passengers had to climb up the stairs behind the escalator.
There was a passenger-in-wheelchair on board the Shuttle Tebrau 78up, so I got to witness the disembarkation process at JB Sentral. Here, the station master prepares the ramp for the passenger-in-wheelchair.
The wheelchair ramp over the platform gap.
The station master assists with disembarking the passenger-in-wheelchair from the Shuttle Tebrau 78up.
23101 Amanah leads the Shuttle Tebrau 78up from Woodlands CIQ to JB Sentral with 23111 Maju on the southern end.
Heading up the stairs to the concourse.
Continuing up as passengers on the Shuttle Tebrau 79dn commence boarding.
Exiting from the platforms and into JB.
Overall, the new ticketing system makes online ticket purchasing faster and which removes the need for ticket reprinting at Woodlands CIQ, but technically not due to the ticket checking system itself but merely just for convenience. With this procedure, I can still see how easy it is to fake tickets to board the Shuttle Tebrau now that tickets no longer need to be reprinted. I recommend KTM adopts the old method of reprinting tickets (if even possible) to prevent fake tickets from being used, unless the handheld devices at Woodlands CIQ to scan the ticket QR code can be operational very soon.