Commuters regularly traversing the Causeway for work or leisure may soon experience smoother morning commutes, as the Johor government has put forth a proposal for Singaporean bus operators to commence services at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) as early as 4:30 AM. This is a half-hour to one-hour earlier than the current 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM start times.
The initiative aims to alleviate the persistent morning congestion at BSI, a bottleneck that has seen passenger numbers swell by an average of 1,000 to 3,000 monthly. For commuuters relying on these bus services, an earlier start could significantly cut down on queuing times and improve overall efficiency during peak hours.
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) is currently reviewing Johor’s suggestion, taking into account several operational factors, including the fact that Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system typically begins operations at 5:35 AM. Furthermore, the Johor government has also proposed increasing bus frequencies or adding more trips to meet the growing demand. LTA will be engaging with the involved Singaporean bus operators – SBS Transit Ltd, SMRT Buses Ltd, Ridewell Travel Pte Ltd, The Singapore-Johore Expressway (Private) Ltd, and Transtar Travel & Tours Pte Ltd – to discuss the operational and cost implications of these adjustments.
Handal Indah Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian operator, already provides 24-hour service on Causeway Link CW2, operating at 30 minute frequencies in the late night and early morning hours.
This development follows a recent joint visit to BSI by Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, Johor’s State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman, alongside LTA representatives and bus operators, where they observed the considerable queues faced by commuters. A decision from the LTA on these proposals is anticipated soon, which could bring welcome relief to thousands of daily cross-border commuters.
Looking further ahead, the Singapore–Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System (RTS Link) is set to offer a more permanent solution to the Causeway congestion. This dedicated light rail system, currently under construction and set to open in end-2026, will directly connect Woodlands North station in Singapore with Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru. A significant feature for commuters will be the co-located immigration facilities at both stations, allowing passengers to clear customs for both countries conveniently at their departure point. The RTS Link, which will be operated by RTS Operations Pte Ltd (a joint venture between SMRT and Prasarana), is approximately 4 km long and is expected to open by the end of 2026. This future infrastructure project is poised to drastically improve cross-border connectivity and reduce the reliance on road transport, complementing immediate measures like earlier bus operations.
References
Hope AC7 Transfred to tower transit, Amend TS8 To ply the lost sector of the old route of 75 due to the thomson east coas line ralsanasation,For TS3 Amend its route to HarbourFront Int, Shoten TS1 to woodlands Temp int when the TEL extension open in 2040
Just hope AC7 gets transferred to SMRT Buses. I wonder how in the world LTA is not seeing how useless this ride well company is. Honestly if you see the route of AC7 is a potential cash cow service if operated by a public transport company. Given the route nature it won’t make sense for SBST to operate. Only logical option is SMRT Buses.
or tower transit since it starts from yishun
Tower transit can. But since smrt buses is operating 950 also. SMRT is a better choice.
Whatever company they still employed those ex-Ride well drivers…
AC7 can renumbered to 880
Off peak 25 mins
Peak 15 mins
Weekends 13 mins per bus
But if under public transport operater it will have to be run properly and even if ex ride well drivers are employed they will have to follow the rules and operating standards unlike now they do things anyhow on their own.
SJE need one more route from Toa Payoh to JB Sentral and Ride well need one more from Buangkok to JB custom
lol. Take 161 from Buangkok IMH go Woodlands and take 950 or whatever bus is passing Woodlands Train Checkpoint and tada you will reach Malaysia… No need so many new service to Malaysia just to cater your own convenience… It will be more chaotic at customs where buses are jammed.. They can have a proper walkway for pedestrian to walk which will be much better instead of starting buses earlier…
Actually, why not just start the RTS daily operations at 5:15am on weekdays and saturdays, and at 5:45am on sundays and public holidays – so that can connect to first TEL train at Woodlands North station which arrives at 5:30am?
That’s the first 179 bus timings at Blk 840 bus stop, to connect to the first MRT trains at Pioneer MRT station.
Actually no need so early enter Singapore, if most business only start their daily operations at 8am, 8:30am or 9am.
Not too confident that Johor’s considered how alive Singaporean drivers would be at 4.30am lol