RickBus Guide: Singapore to Pontian Kechil & Kukup Village in Johor (柔佛笨珍)
Updated: Nov 18
Pontian Kechil and Kukup are both in Pontian District (笨珍) of Johor, to the southern tip of West Malaysia. Geographically, Kukup Fishing Village (龟咯) is nearer to Singapore than Pontian Kechil but when travelling on land, one will have to pass through Pontian Kechil before reaching the small village by the sea. This is due to the presence of Pulai River and large areas of mangrove swamp that make direct road link between Kukup Village and Singapore difficult.
The map below gives a general idea on getting to Pontian Kechil, Kukup Village and also Pekan Nanas (along the way) from either Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoint by land transports.
Let's see how to get to the three destinations in Pontian District using Malaysia's public bus network.
From Singapore To Pontian Kechil
To get to Pontian / Kukup Village, take a bus to Pontian Bus Terminal in Pontian Kechil, the capital of Pontian District. For Pekan Nanas, head towards Pontian as well but alight 30 minutes before Pontian Bus Terminal.
1. Via Woodlands Checkpoint (First Link)
There are two routes to get to Pontian after crossing the border from Singapore.
Route A: Get to Larkin Sentral via Woodlands Checkpoint:
Bus Guide: Singapore to Larkin Sentral in Johor, Malaysia
There are a couple of bus services to Pontian Bus Terminal by different bus companies from Larkin Sentral. Pay the fare after boarding the bus at Platform A.
Maju 96
Fare: RM5.40
Journey: 1.5 hours
Operating Time: 5:10am ~ 7:55pm daily
Frequency: 15-30 minutes
myBAS T50 (new)
Fare: RM6.20
Journey: 1.5 hours
Operating Time: 6am ~ 10pm daily
Frequency: 30 minutes
Route B: Exit JB CIQ after clearing Malaysia customs and walk to the bus terminal below JB Sentral. Take myBAS services T30 / T31 / T32 (≈ RM2.00) to the bus stop opposite Paradigm Mall (in Skudai), then change to Maju 96 / myBAS T50 at the same bus stop to Pontian Kechil. Using this route, you can plan a stop-over to shop at Paradigm Mall on your way to Pontian or on the way back.
2. Via Tuas (Second Link)
Note: As of 1st June 2022, Service CW4 (from Singapore to Pontian) and Service 52T (from Gelang Patah Terminal to Pontian) have not resumed operations. Go via Woodlands Checkpoint and use bus services at Larkin Sentral or JB Sentral to Pontian.
Go to Jurong East MRT Station, exit the station and follow the directional signs to the Private Bus Pick-up Point that is located along Venture Avenue (just beside the station). Take Causeway Link Service CW3/4 at the designated Causeway Link bus-stop to Perling Mall / Pontian via Tuas Checkpoint (2nd Link).
Fare: S$5.00
Journey: 30 minutes to 2nd Link
Alternatively, head over to Tuas Link Station, take Causeway Link Service CW7 to Gelang Patah Bus Terminal. It is just 5 minutes to Tuas Checkpoint from the station. Note: Although Tuas Checkpoint is within walking distance from the MRT station, walking to the checkpoint is not allowed.
Keep the receipt for reboarding the bus after Johor CIQ. Take CW4S/4G at Johor CIQ to Gelang Patah Bus Terminal. You will need to change to another CW4 or Service 52T to Pontian Bus Terminal — follow the instruction of the bus driver. Service 52T is an additional service operating on weekends and public holidays only.
Fare: RM4.20
Journey: 1 hour to Pontian Bus Terminal
Both CW4 and 52T services operate 4 trips per day at long intervals of at least 2 hours. So, it will be better to use the Tuas route on weekends when the two bus services are operating. Services are very limited on weekdays.
From Pontian Kechil to Singapore
Getting back to Larkin Sentral or JB Sentral is just the reverse but take note of the last-bus timings departing from Pontian Bus Terminal if you are not staying in the town for the night.
Last Bus Timings:
1. Maju 96 → Larkin : 7.55pm
2. myBAS T50 → Larkin : 10:00pm
3. CW4 → Jurong East in Singapore: 4:30pm (RM8.00)
4. 52T → CW4 at Gelang Patah → JE in Singapore: 6:30pm (weekends only)
* All timings are subjected to changes by respective bus companies.
Between Pontian Kechil & Kukup Village
From Pontian Bus Terminal, take the Pontian-Kukup bus by Kembara City to Kukup Village.
Fare: RM3.00 / pax
Journey: 30 minutes
Schedule: 7:20am, 11:00am, 2:30pm & 6:00pm
The bus schedule at Kukup Village back to Pontian Kechil is at 8:15am, 11:45am, 3:15pm & 6:45pm (as a rough guideline, shift the schedule above by 45 minutes). Board at the same bus stop where you dropped off in Kukup.