Larkin Bus & Taxi Terminal
Encyclopedia
Larkin Bus & Taxi Terminal |
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| A Larkin Bus booth at night. | |
The Larkin Bus & Taxi Terminal is located in Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
(JB), Malaysia, some 5 kilometres northwest of the northern tip of the Johor–Singapore Causeway. It has regular bus services to and from many cities and towns in West Malaysia and also to and from Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Buses between Larkin terminal and Singapore
| Line | Stop(s) in Singapore other than customs and immigration checkpoint | Stops in Johor Bahru other than customs/immigration checkpoint | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causeway Link CW1 | Kranji MRT station only | Larkin only | $1.30 from Kranji MRT to Larkin/$0.90 from Kranji MRT to Woodlands Checkpoint or Johor Bahru CIQ/RM1.40 from Larkin to Kranji MRT/RM 0.90 from Johor Bahru CIQ to Woodlands Checkpoint or Kranji MRT/$0.80 and $1.30 from Woodlands Checkpoint to Johor Bahru CIQ and Larkin respectively |
| Causeway Link CW2 | Queen Street terminal only | Larkin only | $2.40 from Queen Street to Woodlands Checkpoint or Johor Bahru CIQ or Larkin/2.50 RM from Larkin or Johor Bahru CIQ to Queen Street/$2.40 from Woodlands checkpoint to Queen Street |
| Causeway Link CW5 | Newton Food Centre car park only | Larkin only | $2.00 from Newton to Johor Bahru CIQ or Larkin/2.50 RM from Johor Bahru CIQ or Larkin to Newton |
| SBS 170 (red plate) | Queen Street terminal and all bus stops en route including the one in front of Kranji MRT | Larkin only | $1.90(Ez-link card)/$2.20(cash) from Queen Street to Larkin. $1.82(Ez-link card)/$2.20(cash) from Queen Street to Johor Bahru CIQ. RM 2.20/1.90/1.70(cash) from Larkin to Queen Street/Kranji MRT station/Woodlands Checkpoint respectively |
| Singapore-Johore Express | Queen Street terminal only | Larkin only | $2.40 from Queen Street to Woodlands checkpoint or Johor Bahru CIQ or Larkin/3.30 RM from Larkin to Queen Street/2.50 RM from Johor Bahru CIQ to Queen Street/$2.40 from Woodlands checkpoint to Queen Street/$1 or 2RM from Woodlands checkpoint to Johor Bahru CIQ/1 RM from Johor Bahru CIQ to Woodlands checkpoint |
- Note: It is possible but more expensive to use the EZ-link card compared to paying in cash in Malaysian ringgit when boarding SBS 170 (red plate) at Larkin bus terminal/Johor Bahru CIQ to go anywhere in Singapore. The percentage price difference becomes greater the further you go into Singapore. For example, it costs S$1.90 using the Ez-link card to go from Larkin bus terminal to Queen Street terminal by SBS 170. This is slightly more than 100% more expensive than by paying in cash (2.20RM), based on current exchange rates (S$1 = 2.45 RM). It is also cheaper to pay in ringgit, based on current exchange rates (S$1 = 2.45 RM), (2 RM versus S$1) when traveling from the Woodlands Checkpoint to the Johor Bahru CIQ by the Singapore-Johore Express bus. Conversely, it can be cheaper using the EZ-link card for both the bus and MRT train if one has the intention to connect to the MRT train at Kranji, Marsiling or Woodlands MRT stations, due to Singapore's newly launched Distance Fare. For example, it will cost S$0.50 or S$0.70 more after currency conversion if one were to take the CW1 or SBS 170 from Larkin to Kranji MRT station and pay by cash in ringgit (RM 1.40 or 1.90), and then use the Ez-link card for the MRT train ride to City Hall MRT.
- All the above buses are express except for SBS 170 (red plate).
- See 'more details on Larkin bus terminal' under the 'External Links' below.
- Operating hours of the abovementioned buses are as follow:
- Johor Bahru to Singapore
- Singapore-Johore Express - first bus and last bus departs Larkin bus terminal at 6.15am and 11pm respectively. Average frequency every 15 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW1 - first bus and last bus departs Larkin bus terminal at 8.30am and 9pm respectively. Average frequency every 20 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW1 - first bus and last bus departs Johor Bahru CIQ at 4.30am and 10.45pm respectively. Average frequency every 5 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW2 - first bus and last bus departs Larkin bus terminal at 8.30am and 9pm respectively. Average frequency every 20 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW2 - first bus and last bus departs Johor Bahru CIQ at 4.30am and 11pm respectively. Average frequency every 10 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW5 - first bus and last bus departs Johor Bahru at 5.00am and 10.45pm respectively. Average frequency every 20 minutes from 5.00am to 7.00pm, and every 30 minutes from 7.00pm to 10.45pm
- SBS 170 (red plate) - first bus and last bus departs Larkin bus terminal at 5.30am and 12.30am respectively. Average frequency every 13 minutes
- Singapore to Johor Bahru
- Singapore-Johore Express - first bus and last bus departs Queen Street bus terminal at 6.30 am and 12.00 am respectively. Average frequency every 15 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW1 - first bus and last bus departs Kranji MRT station at 5.30am and 11.30 pm respectively. Average frequency every 5 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW2 - first bus and last bus departs Queen Street bus terminal at 6.00am and 11.30 pm respectively. Average frequency every 10 minutes.
- Causeway Link CW5 - first bus and last bus departs Newton Food Centre car park at 6.00am and 11.30pm respectively. Average frequency every 20 minutes from 6.00am to 7.00pm, and every 30 minutes from 7.00pm to 11.30pm
- SBS 170 (red plate) - first bus and last bus departs Queen Street bus terminal at 5.20am and 12.10am respectively. Average frequency every 12 minutes
Larkin Taxi Station
An alternative to the bus services that operate from Larkin Bus Terminal is the taxi / cab services.The cab services are grouped under 2 broad categories:
1. City cabs (red cabs)
2. Inter-city & inter-district & inter-state cabs (blue cabs)
There are 4 separate locations, where the cabs can be found around Larkin Bus Terminal:
1. A taxi stand, situated across a road from Larkin Bus Terminal (where construction of a mosque is currently underway nearby);
2. Another taxi stand, situated quite farther away from the main bus terminal; next to the Pasar (wet market);
3. Yet another taxi stand, situated at the front entrance to the wet market;
4. The final taxi stand that strictly caters to blue cabs; the stand is situated at the far end of the bus terminal ie North-East side.
Trivia on Taxi as a Mode of Transportation in JB:
Although city cabs can be found in abundance near the JB Customs area, the cab drivers there are notorious for their penchant in "hiking up" the cab fares. They often prey on Singaporeans and other foreigners who are unfamiliar with JB and its cab practices ie. the so-called unwritten rules.
The cab drivers' tactic is simple and classical: Wait at the exit point where throngs of Singaporeans and other foreign visitors emerge from. Most of the times, due to ignorance and convenience, most Singaporeans and other foreign visitors simply hop into these cabs and accept the fares set by the cab driver without much questioning.
Seasoned and experienced visitors from Singapore though, have lamented how the cab fares would substantially differ were they to take a cab found a bit farther away from the JB Customs area eg. next to City Square Mall.
It is a standard practice among a great number of cab drivers in JB, where they prefer to not use the taxi meter.
In a realistic setting, the would-be passenger would tell the location he is heading to once the cab stops for him. He would then ask for the estimated cab fare. Normally, at this point, the cab driver would offer his estimated fare to the passenger.
There are pros and cons to this practice as regards the cab passenger.
Asking upfront for the estimated cab fare would translate to agreeing the fare "way before" the passenger actually travels to his planned destination. The taxi meter thus is completely skipped and not relied on.
A closely related variation of this practice is when the passenger "actually knows" the estimated cab fare for his trip. Example: Traveling from JB Customs area to Larkin Bus Terminal. Usually, this practice is commonplace among frequent travelers. The passenger would quote a figure, and if the cab driver agrees to it, the taxi meter will again be skipped.
While most cab drivers are known to conclude the negotiation for a cab fare right upfront, it should be mentioned that there are still those who refuse to do so. These groups of cab drivers prefer to use the taxi meter instead.
The worse type of cab driver that can be found in JB, is one who doesn't use the taxi meter; and charge exorbitantly once he has driven the passenger to the desired destination.
There are tell-tale signs for this type of cab driver:
1. The taxi meter is not re-started once the passenger has settled in inside the cab;
2. The issue of fare is not mentioned at all; instead, the cab driver talks about other unrelated issues; or he would simply keep quiet throughout the entire journey;
3. When asked about the fare, the cab driver would answer in a non-chalant, often evasive manner.
There are shared taxis departing from Larkin terminal to various destinations (only as far as Genting Highlands) in West Malaysia. The fare per person for the shared taxis is at least three times the coach fare per person for the further destinations. The shared taxis, unlike the intercity buses, do not depart at set times. They only depart when the shared taxi has reached a maximum of four passengers or if the passenger(s) is or are willing to pay for the remaining seat(s). Shared taxi fares per person in RM: Genting Highlands 120, Kuala Lumpur 95, Kuala Lumpur International Airport 95, Kuantan 95, Seremban 80, Malacca 65, Muar 50, Segamat 50, Kluang 40, Yong Peng 40, Batu Pahat 40, Mersing 40, Desaru 40, Kukup 20, Pontian 15, Kulai 10, Senai International Airport 10, Kota Tinggi 10.
Bus services from Larkin Terminal to destinations in West Malaysia
The list below is incomplete. You should note that some of these services are not non-stop; they make one or more stops en route.| Bus Company | Destinations (number of departures from Larkin per day in brackets) | |
|---|---|---|
| 707 Travel Group | Alor Setar(2), Butterworth(8), Genting Highlands(2), Ipoh(6), Kangar(2), Klang(10), Kuala Lumpur(10), Kuala Perlis(2), Malacca, Penang(4), Segamat, Shah Alam(10), etc. | |
| Causeway Link | Batu Pahat(12), Klang(2), Kuala Lumpur(11), Malacca(3), Mersing(3), Segamat(2), Shah Alam(2) - minimum number of departures for all destinations, higher on certain days of the week. | |
| Cepat Ekspres | Alor Setar, Batu Pahat, Butterworth, Ipoh, Kota Bahru(1), Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Trengganu(1), Kuantan(5), Malacca, Mersing, Muar, Penang, Segamat(8), Seremban, Yong Peng(8), etc. | |
| Cepat Sedia | Alor Setar(1), Butterworth(2), Ipoh, Kangar(1), Klang(3), Kuala Lumpur(20), Kuala Perlis(1), Muar(13), Penang(1), Shah Alam(3), Tangkak(7) | |
| Delima | Malacca(7) | |
| Jebat | Malacca(12) | |
| KKKL | Alor Setar(2), Batu Pahat(14 weekdays, 23 weekends), Butterworth(2), Ipoh(1), Kangar(1), Kluang(14), Kota Bharu(1), Kuala Lumpur(10), Malacca(16), Muar(13-15), Penang(1), Taiping(1) etc. | |
| Konsortium | Alor Setar(2), Butterworth(1), Genting Highlands(1), Ipoh(2), Kamunting(3), Kangar(1), Kuala Kangsar(2), Kuala Lumpur(13), Kuala Perlis(1), Penang(1), etc. | |
| Maju | Alor Setar(2), Butterworth(2), Kangar(2), Klang(2), Kluang(13), Kuala Lumpur(5), Kuala Perlis(2), Kuala Terengganu(4), Kuantan(8), Lumut(2), Malacca(8), Mersing(4), Pekan(4), Pontian(2), Seremban(3), Shah Alam(2), etc | |
| Mara Liner | Bandar Penawar (for Desaru)(4), Kota Tinggi(4), Kuala Lumpur(3), Kuantan(2), Segamat(2), etc | |
| Mayang Sari | Alor Setar, Butterworth, Kangar, Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Perlis, Malacca(7), Muar(13), Penang | |
| Plusliner | Putrajaya(5), Seremban(13) | |
| S & S International | Alor Setar(2), Batu Pahat(14), Butterworth(2), Ipoh(3), Kangar(2), Kluang(20), Kota Tinggi(1), Kuala Lumpur(2), Kuala Perlis(2), Lumut(1), Malacca(3), Mersing(3), Segamat(6), Seremban(1), etc. | |
| Selat Keris | Alor Setar, Butterworth, Ipoh, Kangar, Klang, Kuala Kangsar, Kuala Lumpur(20), Kuala Perlis, Lumut, Penang, Shah Alam, Tapah, etc. | |
| Shamisha | Butterworth, Kuala Lumpur(12), Penang, etc. | |
| Sri Maju | Alor Setar(1), Butterworth, Ipoh(4), Kuala Lumpur(4), Lumut(1), Penang, Seremban, Tapah, etc | |
| Super Nice | Alor Setar(3), Butterworth(7), Ipoh(5), Klang(3), Kuala Kangsar(1), Kuala Lumpur(3), Kuala Selangor(1), Penang(4), Shah Alam(3), Taiping(2), etc. | |
| Transnasional | A Famosa Resort(4), Gemas(2), Klang(3), Kota Bharu(3), Kuala Lumpur(18), Kuala Terengganu(4), Kuantan(8), Mersing(8), Putrajaya(1), Segamat(2), Seremban(4), Shah Alam(3), Tampin(2), etc. | |
Bus services to Kuala Lumpur operating from the terminal
| Line | Time | To & Price |
|---|---|---|
| Plusliner (Economy Class)Larkin Bus Terminal,Platform 39 | 8.30am 10.30am 12.30pm 2.30pm 4.30pm 6.30pm 8.30pm 12 midnight | Hentian Puduraya, KL RM20.20 |
| Plusliner Larkin Bus Terminal,Platform 39 | 9.00am 12.30pm 5.30pm 8.00pm | Tourist Information Centre, 109 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur RM 50.00 |
| Executive Coach | 9.00am, 12.30pm, 4.30pm, 8.00pm |
Tourist Information Centre, 109 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur RM 28.00 |
| Transnasional Coach Express (Economy Class) | 8.30am, 9.00am, 9.45am, 10.00am, 11.00am, 1.00pm, 1.30pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm, 4.00pm, 4.45pm, 5.00pm, 6.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm, 11.00pm, 11.45pm, 12.00mn, 12.30am | Hentian Puduraya , Kuala Lumpur RM 24.00 |
Note:Bus timetables are subject to changes without prior notice