Sri Maju Bus from KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to Singapore Grantral Mall MacPherson

Heading back to Singapore after my day out in KL, I took Sri Maju back as it offered much lower fares than other competitors, and I would arrive back at the new stop of Grantral Mall MacPherson which is more convenient for me. This would also get me a big seat to nap in while the bus heads through the evening journey, though this also means that I would be going via JB Larkin Sentral en route to Singapore.

KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan)

Heading in to KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) by the linkbridge from Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station after alighting from the Komuter Ekspres 2603dn.

Heading to the ticket counter to print out my boarding pass with my Easybook confirmation. Sri Maju sells online tickets exclusively on Easybook. There is no additional boarding pass or facilities charge to be paid at TBS.

My boarding pass for my Sri Maju bus from KL TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to Singapore Grantral Mall MacPherson.

Following the signs to Gate 7 with the entrance at the rear of the terminal.

Checking my bus availability at the CTS kiosk. Not too popular this weekday night, which is great for me.

Scanning my boarding pass at the CTS gate.

Heading down the escalator to the departure hall.

Gate 7 is just at the escalator which I have just descended from.

Lots of seating are available at Gate 7 at the end of the big departure hall.

Looking down at the main departure hall. There are kiosks to buy overpriced drinks and snacks here, just like most airport transit areas.

My Sri Maju bus arrived at Gate 7 in good time at 6.52pm for the 7.00pm departure.

The interior of the Sri Maju hi-deck 26-seater bus in a 2+1 seat configuration.

My single seat at 18.

Similar seats are found for the pairs.

The generous legroom on board Sri Maju.

A footrest and calf rest are also available for a comfortable reclined journey, elevating the legs.

A rope basket is also available for storage of small items.

My single seat in a fully-reclined position.

Not much passengers were on board, as per the CTS seat map, which makes for a spacious and comfortable journey.

At 7.00pm sharp, the TBS gate staff prints the final manifest for the driver.

My Sri Maju bus departed from TBS on time at 7.00pm.

Heading out of TBS.

Immediately after exiting from TBS, I was hit by the evening exodus KL jam.

Crawling to Sungai Besi Toll.

Heading through Sungai Besi Toll.

311km to Johor Bahru.

It was a slow journey down to Seremban before traffic speed picked up to normal.

Traffic slowed in Johor again due to extensive late-night road works.

Simpang Renggam Lay-by South Bound

My Sri Maju bus arrived at Simpang Renggam Lay-by South Bound at 10.15pm for a toilet break.

Vending machines and small snack kiosks are available at Simpang Renggam Lay-by South Bound.

Heading back to my Sri Maju bus.

Hentian Sebelah Kulai South Bound

My Sri Maju bus made another brief stop at Hentian Sebelah Kulai South Bound for an unknown reason. However, doors were not opened.

Heading on straight to JB instead of going via Tuas.

Shell R&R Skudai Southbound

My Sri Maju bus made another stop at Shell R&R Skudai Southbound at 11.19pm for refuelling. A toilet stop was also called, but no one alighted since it was just about 1 hour since everyone had their toilet break.

Heading out of Shell R&R Skudai Southbound.

Heading through Skudai Toll Plaza.

Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral

Arriving at Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral.

My Sri Maju bus arrived at Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral at exactly midnight the next day, making the journey from KL to JB 5 hours, due to the jams on the PLUS Highway.

My Sri Maju bus departed from Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral at 12.02am. Just a quick drop-off for the Larkin-bound passengers.

Lots of cars returning back to Singapore after midnight.

Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI)

Making a stop at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) at 12.19am for Malaysia immigration.

Re-boarding my Sri Maju bus at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI).

After everyone to Singapore has been back on board, the driver asks everyone for their destination. I was the only passenger heading onwards to Grantral Mall MacPherson, with everyone else disembarking at Woodlands.

My Sri Maju bus departed from Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) at 12.29am.

To my surprise and horror, the Causeway jam was very much alive at midnight. There is also no bus lane when heading down to Singapore.

Crossing the international border from Malaysia to Singapore.

Woodlands Checkpoint

Entering Woodlands Checkpoint at 12.49am for Singapore immigration and customs.

Passengers who booked tickets to Woodlands alight at Woodlands Checkpoint as their final destination. There is a walking path out to Woodlands Train Checkpoint for onward travel by public buses, taxis, or ride-hailing. Alternatively, Causeway Link CW2 bus to Queen Street (Bugis) runs for 24 hours at a 45-minute frequency between 11pm to 4am.

My Sri Maju bus departed from Woodlands Checkpoint at 12.56am after picking me, the only passenger, up.

Grantral Mall MacPherson

Passing by Grantral Mall MacPherson.

Turning left on to Upper Paya Lebar Road.

Tai Seng MRT Station

My Sri Maju bus arrived at Tai Seng MRT Station at 1.19am, making this a journey time from TBS to Tai Seng of 6 hours and 19 minutes. Not too bad, considering the jams involved.

The bus quickly zoomed off since I was travelling very light with no need to access the luggage compartment, and I was the only passenger left.

As it was 1.19am, Tai Seng MRT Station was most definitely closed for the night.

From here, I walked back to Grantral Mall MacPherson to get a Grab which would be a better routing for me to get home by.

Conclusion

Overall, Sri Maju was a fuss-free bus journey which uses the Johor-Singapore Causeway (Woodlands) to cross from Malaysia to Singapore with a stop at Johor Bahru Larkin Sentral. While this may put off some who like to avoid crowds, the arrival times that my weekday 7pm Sri Maju bus had at BSI and Woodlands had no crowd in the bus immigration halls.

The Causeway jam, however, was still very active, even at midnight. However, this route is geographically the most direct route to Grantral Mall MacPherson, so this saved a bit of journey time when travelling in Singapore.

The Sri Maju bus also had big seats and very good air-conditioning, so while traffic jams have to be endured, at least I was seated in comfort.