Causeway Link Bus Service: A Visitor's Guide
The Causeway Link bus service is one of the most recognisable and widely used public transport operators in Johor Bahru and across southern Malaysia. Known for its distinctive bright yellow livery, the company operates both local and cross-border routes, providing affordable and convenient travel for commuters, visitors, and cross-border travellers heading into Singapore. For visitors who are unfamiliar with the system, Causeway Link buses are among the easiest to use in Johor Bahru.
Colour and Livery
Causeway Link buses are painted in a striking bright yellow colour with blue accents, making them highly recognisable on the road. The livery is consistent across the fleet, helping passengers easily spot them at bus terminals, stops, and along major roads.
Causeway Link Bus (29 August 2025 AI Studio Generated)
Routes Operated
Causeway Link is the largest bus operator in Johor Bahru and offers a variety of routes:
- Local City Routes: Connecting key areas within Johor Bahru, including shopping malls, residential districts, and transport hubs.
- Cross-Border Routes: Some of the most popular services are the CW (which stands for "Causeway") routes linking Johor Bahru to Singapore via the Causeway and the Second Link. Examples include CW1 (Larkin to Kranji MRT), CW2 (JB Sentral to Queen Street, Singapore), and CW5 (Larkin to Newton MRT).
- Intercity Services: In addition to city buses, Causeway Link also operates express coaches to destinations in Johor state and beyond, although the CW-branded cross-border buses are the most relevant to most visitors.
Fares and Payment
Causeway Link fares are affordable, with city bus fares usually starting from around RM1.50 depending on distance. Cross-border fares vary by route but typically range between RM2 and RM5 when travelling into Singapore. When crossing the border into Singapore, you're not just paying on the Malaysian side, you will also need to pay the fare on the Singapore side.
Payment methods include:
- Cash: Still accepted on board; passengers should prepare small change.
- ManjaLink Card: A reloadable smart card by Causeway Link that offers convenience and discounts compared to cash fares.
- ManjaPay: A mobile-based option that allows tap-and-pay using smartphones via the LUGO app.
- Visa & Mastercard: Contactless payments are supported on Causeway Link buses, especially on routes integrated with the myBAS Johor Bahru programme.
Cashless Cards
ManjaLink cards are a convenient way to pay on both local and cross-border routes, as they can be used for payments in both Malaysia (MYR) and Singapore (SGD) on Causeway Link buses. For cross-border services, you will need to tap your card or make a cash payment upon boarding the bus on both sides of the border.
Bus Stops and Accessibility
Causeway Link buses stop at designated bus stops throughout Johor Bahru, including major terminals such as Larkin Sentral, JB Sentral, and shopping centres like AEON Tebrau City. On cross-border services, passengers board at major terminals in Johor Bahru and alight at designated points in Singapore, including MRT stations and terminals near the city centre.
The Bus-Customs-Bus System
For cross-border routes, passengers are required to alight from the bus (let's call it Bus 1) with all their belongings to go through Malaysian immigration. After clearing customs, they must re-board the bus to proceed to Singapore. This is the same for the return journey. Be sure to hold on to your bus ticket or use a cashless payment method that allows for a seamless transfer, as the same ticket is often used to re-board a subsequent bus.
First Immigration: When you alight the bus to go through customs, you will not re-board the same bus. Instead, you will board another Causeway Link bus (let's call it Bus 2) to continue your journey. That's why you must bring down all your belongings to clear immigration and customs. The bus does not wait for you.
Bus 2 is simply going on a loop ferrying passengers between the checkpoints of the two countries.
Second Immigration: Bus 2 takes you across the Causeway or Second Link to the second country's immigration checkpoint. There, you will need to alight the bus with all your belongings again, to clear immigration. After then you continue to the bus bay to board the bus (Bus 3) to take you to your final destination.
What to Expect When Taking Causeway Link
Travelling by Causeway Link offers several benefits:
- Affordability: Tickets are much cheaper compared to taxis or Grab rides, especially for cross-border journeys.
- Convenience: Frequent services on popular CW routes make it a reliable option for cross-border commuters.
- Cultural Insight: Taking the bus allows visitors to mingle with local commuters and experience Johor Bahru daily life more authentically.
However, travellers should also expect some downsides: waiting times can be long during off-peak hours, and peak-hour congestion at the Causeway can add significant delays to travel times.
Quick Facts
- Operator: Causeway Link (Handal Indah Sdn Bhd)
- Livery: Bright yellow with blue accents
- Routes: Local city routes, CW cross-border routes, intercity coaches
- Payment Methods: Cash, ManjaLink card, ManjaPay, Visa, Mastercard
- Main Terminals: JB Sentral, Larkin Sentral, AEON Tebrau City
- Cross-Border Routes: CW1, CW2, CW5, CWL, and others into Singapore
- Best For: Affordable local travel and convenient access to Singapore
References
- Causeway Link Official Website
- Land Transport Guru – Causeway Link
- RailTravel Station – Causeway Link Buses
Page Details
This page was created on 29 August 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.Want to share your Johor Bahru travel experiences or get tips from fellow travellers?
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