KTM Shuttle Tebrau 81dn from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ
To complete this train experience weekend, I capped off my 3-day-2-night overnight train trip with Ekspres Khas Keluarga Malaysia 1028up from KL Sentral to Tumpat and Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral with Shuttle Tebrau 81dn to cover the last short sector from Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) to Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ), properly returning to Singapore by train.
Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral)
I got to JB Sentral Gate A slightly more than 30 minutes before departure. The departure gate opened earlier, 40 minutes before departure.
Ticket Scanning
As usual, I allowed those in the queue to head through first, while I waited around the gate line till about 15 to 20 minutes before departure before I enter.
Short-term visitors and non-fully vaccinated travellers are reminded to fill up the SG Arrival Card with electronic Health Declaration (“SG Arrival Card”) before departure to Singapore.
Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Singapore Long-Term Pass Holders with vaccination status reflected in TraceTogether and/or HealthHub apps or have successfully verified their digital overseas vaccination certificate on Vaccination Check Portal (VCP) do not need to fill up the SG Arrival Card for land arrivals in to Singapore via Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints.
With the gate line mostly empty close to departure time, I made my way in.
Scan your passport on the Shuttle Tebrau gate for boarding.
Once the passport is detected to have a valid ticket, the gate opens. The passenger name is no longer showed on the screen, just like regular ETS and KTM Intercity gates now.
Malaysia Immigration
Heading down for Malaysia immigration.
Waiting in the waiting room after clearing immigration and customs. Boarding will be called 5 minutes before departure.
25 Class 25104 Pulau Indah
25 Class 25104 Pulau Indah on the southern end leads my Shuttle Tebrau 81dn from Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) to Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ).
ASC (INKA)
My train was operated with a rake of ASC (INKA). Been a long while since I last rode on them.
The interior of the ASC (INKA). Half of the seats are facing the direction of travel and the other half in reverse in a 2+2 configuration.
A typical pair seat on board the ASC (INKA).
Universal power sockets are available by the window seat, but they were not working on my trip.
The legroom available on board the ASC (INKA).
A tray table is available at most seats.
Luggage racks are available on board the ASC (INKA) near the doors.
Bigger luggage racks are available by the vestibules before entering the passenger seating area.
The western-style sitting toilet on board the ASC (INKA).
The Asian-style sitting toilet on board the ASC (INKA).
The platform gap between the high platform of JB Sentral and the ASC (INKA).
Some doors of the ASC (INKA) are locked opened. I’m not sure if this is for passenger flow or that the door is simply not working.
My Shuttle Tebrau 81dn departed from JB Sentral on time at 2.00pm.
Departing from Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
A shelter is provided for signalmen working on the southern hand cranks at JB Sentral.
Leaving Malaysia on the Johor-Singapore Causeway with a view of R&F Marina Place.
Crossing the international border from Malaysia to Singapore.
Heading on the Johor-Singapore Causeway in Singapore.
Approaching the shores of Singapore.
Approaching Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ).
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ)
Singapore immigration and customs are cleared at Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ). No photos or videos are allowed to be taken inside Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ).
Conclusion
Overall, it was an easy 5-minute ride across the Johor-Singapore Causeway with the Shuttle Tebrau 81dn, although I did take it at an off-peak time, which means it might have been faster for me to take a bus instead, but as I mentioned, this Shuttle Tebrau trip was to cap off my 3-day-2-night overnight train trip with Ekspres Khas Keluarga Malaysia 1028up from KL Sentral to Tumpat and Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral.