LTA reviewing M'sia's request to start cross-border bus services from JB at 4am instead of 5am

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has received a request from Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency to start operating cross-border bus services at 4am instead of 5am.

According to The Straits Times, LTA said it had received the request on Jun. 17 and is currently reviewing the request with local bus operators.

The operators are public bus companies SBS Transit, SMRT and some private bus operators.

Part of Johor's attempts to tackle the pre-dawn rush

According to The Star, the request is part of the Johor state government's attempts to tackle the pre-dawn rush at the checkpoints.

The Johor state Works, Transportation, Infrastructure and Communication Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh pointed out that passengers heading to Singapore would start queuing at 4am, resulting in long queues stretching from the bus bays to the immigration halls.

He was further quoted as saying, "We are confident that LTA will find a solution with their operators soon."

This is one of the Johor government's various moves to boost connectivity with Singapore and upgrade its public transport systems ahead of Visit Johor 2026 tourism campaign.

Currently, cross-border services run by Singapore bus operators include:

• Bus service 160 by SBS Transit, with departures from Johor Bahru from 5am on weekdays and 5:50am on weekends and public holidays,
• Bus service 170 by SBS Transit, departing from Larkin Terminal at 5:20am on weekdays and 5:30am on weekdays or public holidays,

  • Service 170x, also departing from Larkin Terminal at 8:28am on weekdays, and

• Bus service 950 by SMRT, with Johor Bahru-bound services departing at 5:30am daily.

Private bus operators include Singapore-Johore Express, Ridewell Travel and Transtar Travel.

These operators travel to and fro Johor Bahru via the Causeway.

Top photo via Google Maps