Causeway Link CW1

Causeway Link CW1 is a cross-border bus service operated by Malaysian bus operator Handal Indah (Causeway Link), plying between Kranji MRT Station and JB CIQ Complex in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It is one of three Causeway Link routes across the Causeway, alongside CW2 and CW5.

Commuters can start and end their journeys at Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru for the same fare by transferring to/from Causeway Link CWL at JB CIQ. However, passengers boarding at Larkin must pay a facilities charge on top of the bus fare.

CW1
46219
Johor Bahru Checkpt
Johor Bahru
46109
W’Lands Checkpt
Woodlands Crossing
45139
Kranji Stn
Woodlands Rd
45139
Kranji Stn
Woodlands Rd
46101
W’Lands Checkpt
Woodlands Crossing
46211
Johor Bahru Checkpt
Johor Bahru


Route Overview
Route JB CIQ ↔ Woodlands Road (Kranji MRT Station)
Passes Through Causeway, Woodlands Checkpoint
Operator Information
Current Operator Handal Indah Sdn Bhd (Causeway Link)
Operating Hours
Departure Timings from JB CIQ
Daily
04:00 – 00:00
Departure Timings from Woodlands Checkpoint → Kranji MRT Daily
04:10 – 00:10
Departure Timings from Kranji MRT
Daily
06:30 – 00:30
Frequency
From JB CIQ / Kranji MRT
5 mins (Peak hours, 0400–0800 and 1700–2200)
Up to 30 mins (other times)
Fare Information
Fare Charges section fares which vary depending on payment mode;
Cashless payment only (from 1 Oct 2026) via ManjaLink Card / Mastercard / Visa / LUGO App QR Code
EZ-Link card only accepted at Kranji MRT

Service CW1 is a cross-border route connecting Kranji MRT to Johor Bahru CIQ via the Causeway. It is one of several cross-border bus services operating this Kranji—JB CIQ route alongside Singapore local bus Services 160, 170 and 170X.

Causeway-plying CW services do not stop at any bus stops in Singapore except the designated boarding point (at Kranji MRT Station for CW1). Due to varying traffic conditions at the Causeway, travel times and waiting times may increase significantly when traffic congestion occurs.

Between Larkin Terminal and JB CIQ

Causeway Link operates the CWL bus service between JB CIQ and Larkin Sentral. Free transfer is provided for commuters from Singapore transferring from Causeway Link bus services (CW1, CW2 & CW5). Passengers at JB CIQ heading towards Larkin Sentral can board Service CWL after clearing Malaysia immigration.

Passengers boarding CWL from Larkin must pay a facilities charge on top of the bus fare.


Checkpoint Transfer:

Between Woodlands Checkpoint and JB CIQ, commuters may board any Causeway Link bus service across the border (CW1, CW2 or CW5). Some buses may display service LOOP1 which only plies the stretch between checkpoints to boost frequency. Card / QR Code validation is required during boarding only (tap in).


Fare
Sector-based fares

Fares are charged separately for each sector of the journey. Each sector is recorded through a tap-in, with the applicable fare deducted based on the sector travelled.

A cross-border journey may comprise up to three sectors:

  • Singapore sector
  • Cross-border sector
  • Malaysia sector

This fare structure applies in both directions — Singapore to Malaysia and Malaysia to Singapore.

Payment Methods

Cashless payment is accepted via:

  • ManjaLink Card
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • LUGO App QR Code (Single Journey Ticket)
    Single-journey tickets can be purchased through the LUGO App. A QR code is generated upon purchase and must be scanned at the bus validator when boarding.
  • EZ-Link Card (only at Kranji MRT (CW1), Queen Street (CW2) & Newton Circus (CW5)).
    Passengers should retain their ticket and present it for validation when reboarding at Woodlands Checkpoint or JB CIQ for CW services to Larkin

The currency charged depends on the journey’s origin:

  • Singapore-originating journeys: fares are charged in Singapore dollars (SGD).
  • Malaysia-originating journeys: fares are charged in Malaysian ringgit (MYR).

ManjaLink fares / top-ups in Singapore Currency will be converted to Malaysia Currency (RM) based on the prevailing exchange rate published on the ManjaLink website.

Note: Cashless payment requirements are being implemented in phases, with cashless-only payment at Queen Street (CW2) and Newton Circus (CW5) from 20 August 2026, followed by the wider implementation (all services) from 1 October 2026.

Causeway Link – Causeway route fares (CW1, CW2, CW5)
From Singapore to JB CIQ or Larkin Adult Adult (Single Journey Ticket) Concession
From Woodlands Checkpoint (CW1 / CW2 / CW5) S$2.00 / *S$1.80 S$2.60 S$1.30
From Kranji MRT (CW1) S$2.00 / *S$1.98 S$2.60 S$1.30
From Queen Street (CW2) S$4.80 / *S$4.75 S$4.80 S$2.40
From Newton Circus (CW5) S$4.60 / *S$4.55 S$4.60 S$2.30
From JB CIQ / Larkin to Singapore Adult Adult (Single Journey Ticket) Concession
To Woodlands Checkpoint or Kranji MRT RM2.60 RM2.60 RM1.30
To Queen Street RM4.80 RM4.80 RM2.40
To Newton Circus RM4.60 RM4.60 RM2.30
Non-cross border fares Adult Adult (Single Journey Ticket) Concession
JB CIQ → Larkin RM2.60 RM2.60 RM1.30
Woodlands Checkpoint → Kranji MRT S$2.00 S$2.60 S$1.30
Woodlands Checkpoint → Queen Street S$4.80 S$4.80 S$2.40
Woodlands Checkpoint → Newton Circus S$4.60 S$4.60 S$2.30

Route Map towards JB Customs
Route Map towards Kranji MRT

Gallery:

 


History

Causeway Link CW1 was introduced in May 2003 between Larkin Ter and Kranji MRT via Kotaraya II. It was the first bus service launched by Handal Indah Sdn Bhd (branded Causeway Link), and the second cross-border public bus service to be launched since the introduction of Bus Service 170 in 1971, thus breaking an over 30-year monopoly of cross-border public bus services offered only by Service 170 operated by SBS Transit and its predecessor companies.

The bus route launched with a fleet of eight buses. Fares from Singapore were $1.30 to Larkin, $1.00 to Kotaraya II, and $0.80 to Woodlands/JB Checkpoint.

  • 2003 (May): Introduced between Larkin Ter and Kranji MRT via Kotaraya II
  • 2005 (1 May): Fares increased to $1.60 to Larkin, $1.30 to Kotaraya II, and $1.00 to Woodlands/JB Checkpoint
  • 2013 (18 Nov): Fares increased
    From Kranji MRT: S$0.80 to JB CIQ, $1.30 to Larkin
    Within JB: RM1.40 from JB CIQ – Larkin Ter
  • 2014 (6 Oct): Fares increased after an increase in Causeway toll charges
    From JB: RM1.90 from Larkin, RM1.50 from JB CIQ
    From Kranji MRT: S$1.00 to JB CIQ, $1.50 to Larkin
  • 2020 (18 Mar): Suspended amid COVID-19 pandemic cross-border travel restrictions
  • 2022 (1 May): Services resumed after the lifting of cross-border travel restrictions
  • 2023 (May): Improvement of peak-hour frequencies to ~5 mins per bus during peak hours [Link]
  • 2025 (Nov): Last bus timing extended to 00:30 from Kranji MRT; 00:00 from JB CIQ
  • 2026 (Jul): Operating hours updated

External Links & References:

Back to Bus Transport in Johor Bahru
Back to Bus Services
Back to Bus Articles

4 thoughts on “Causeway Link CW1

  • 22 December 2022 at 5:17 PM
    Permalink

    Disappointment, i wait at Kranji stn for an hour no bus . I rather take 170X
    priority given to causeway link , but disappointment given , sorry to said no next time .

    Reply
  • 10 December 2022 at 8:58 AM
    Permalink

    Very bad services. Please make sure your employee know how to treat customers. And the timing also very bad. I wait for almost 2 hours at kranji. No bus

    Reply
  • 6 May 2021 at 10:51 PM
    Permalink

    When will CW1 resume operations?

    Reply
  • 24 January 2017 at 4:11 PM
    Permalink

    Would it be crowded early morning in this cny period?

    Reply

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