Getting around Kranji farms used to be pretty easy — it did not warrant a concern to me when I planned a farm tour on a weekend. The day-tour could have been a wonderful trip if the shuttle bus service provided was not overwhelmed by a surge in weekend crowds. The group of us ended up walking most of the way.
With COVID-19 still ravaging fiercely around the world, overseas travelling options is ultra-limited. Locals have taken to travelling around the little island of Singapore resulting in increased visitorship in many places, including offshore islands and, of course, Kranji farms. With school holidays already started, the shuttle bus service is not able to meet the sudden surge in demand (unless the shuttle operation is revised).
If you are not driving, be sure to read this post on the transportations available before embarking on your farm tours, especially on weekends. If you are driving, avoid weekends if possible as there are too many cars packing the road sides — most farms do open on weekdays.
🚐 KRANJI COUNTRYSIDE SHUTTLE BUS
Kranji Countryside shuttle bus operates from Kranji MRT Station to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and several designated farms and then retraces the same route back to Kranji Station. Each loop takes about one hour. The fare is $3 per person per round trip, $1 for senior citizen and children (pay exact amount, no change will be given). Retain the ticket to re-board the shuttle bus to other points along the route.
The shuttle bus departs from Kranji MRT Station at 8:30am, 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm and 5:45pm to the last stop at Jurong Frog Farm.
It will depart from the frog farm at 9:10am, 10:15am, 12:15am, 1:45pm, 3:15pm, 5:05pm and 6:20pm to Kranji MRT Station.
Places that can be reached:
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (at Visitor Centre)
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (at Wetland Centre)
Nyee Phoe / Bistro Gardenasia
Kranji Marshes
Bollywood Veggies / Poison Ivy Bistro
Thong Hup Gardens
Reference: Kranji Countryside - Plan Your Visit
Seems real convenient, right? Wait till you go on a weekend...
THE INCONVENIENCES
The shuttle bus is a mini-bus to be exact and can ferry around 23 seating passengers. With COVID-19 safe-distancing measures in place, the bus driver needs to ensure that the bus is not overcrowded. So he can decline to pick up any more people when the bus is deemed to be full — probably with additional 5 standing. So, at any one time, only around 28 passengers can be on the bus.
There is only one shuttle bus plying the route and making only seven rounds a day.
With more people turning up on weekends for the shuttle bus at Kranji Station, there will be those who will not be able to board and have to wait for the next bus, which will be minimally one hour or up to two hours away. Common sense will be to use other bus services after missing the shuttle bus, so why not go for the public buses initially.
Apart from farm-goers, there are those who are going to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and all will want to get on the shuttle bus thinking that $3 will be a good deal if they can continue to the farms after visiting the wetland. But, it usually does not come true on weekends.
Based on distance-charging for public transports, it will be cheaper to continue on public buses to Sungei Buloh if you are travelling to Kranji MRT Station via MRT or public buses.
Even if you are lucky enough to board the bus, pay the $3 to your first destination, there is no guarantee that you will be able to re-board the bus subsequently to the next destination — unless you are going from Kranji to Jurong Frog Farm and return from there. Otherwise, chances of re-using a ticket can be very low.
And when it rains heavily, most people will want to be on the next bus out of Kranji. But only around 28 passengers will make it to Kranji Station at 1~2 hours interval.
With all these inconveniences in mind, check out other bus services that are also available and make a sound plan before going on weekends. Alternatively, weekdays may be better days to visit the farms and weekends for Sungei Buloh. Or check out the suggested itinerary towards the end of this post.
🚌 BUS SERVICE 975
Bus Service 975 operates from Bukit Panjiang Interchange to the Police Coast Guard station at the end of Lim Chu Kang Road and back. It will pick up passengers at the bus stop opposite Choa Chu Kang MRT Station.
For visitors going to farms located along Lim Chu Kang Road or nearby, Service 975 may be a better option than Kranji Countryside shuttle bus on weekends and public holidays.
Places that can be reached:
Jurong Frog Farm (+ 1Km walk)
Viknesh Dairy Farm (+ 200m walk)
Reference: TransitLink Guide for Service 975
🚌 BUS SERVICE 925
Bus Service 925 operates between Woodlands Interchange and Choa Chu Kang Interchange and will pick up passengers at Kranji MRT Station. It stops at Kranji Reservoir Park B (carpark) just outside the side gate to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre.
For visitors going to the visitor centre of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Service 925 will be cheaper and has higher frequency. 🚨However, this service operates on weekdays and Saturdays only (excluding public holidays).
Places that can be reached:
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (near Visitor Centre)
Reference: TransitLink Guide for Service 925
🚌 BUS SERVICE 925M
Service 925M is basically travelling the same route as Service 925 but with an extension that reaches more farms 🚨on Sundays and public holidays only.
Places that can be reached:
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (near Visitor Centre)
Nyee Phoe / Bistro Gardenasia
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (near Wetland Centre)
Long Kuan Hong Crocodile Farm
Reference: TransitLink Guide for Service 925M
KRANJI FARM MAP
Check out the map below for the routes mentioned as well as locations of some farms for educational tours for kids, farm-to-table bistros or buying of fresh farm produces.
* Check/uncheck the layers on the map to see the routes for each bus service clearly.
SUGGESTIONS
Visiting the farms in Kranji and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve requires some planning ahead to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and have a fun day or maybe days. There is no need to cramp and visit all the farms in one day.
Here is a simple itinerary to explore Kranji using 3 days and making full use of the various transports to get around the farms easily:
1 Day (either weekday or weekend):
- Take Bus Service 975.
- Visit Viknesh Dairy Farm, Jurong Frog Farm, Hay Dairies Goat Farm or other nearby farms along Lim Chu Kang Road.
- Some walking may be required depending on the farms you plan on going.
1 Sunday / Public Holiday:
- Take Bus Service 925M (or Service 925 on a Saturday)
- Visit Nyee Phoe / Bistro Gardenasia, Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm (need to join a tour) or other nearby farms.
- It may be better to allocate half a day for Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
- If you are into hiking, Kranji Marshes is about 3.5Km from Sungei Buloh.
1 Weekday:
- Take Kranji Countryside shuttle bus
- Visit Kranji Marshes, Bollywood Veggies, Thong Hup Gardens or other nearby farms not in close proximity to the public bus stops along Lim Chu Kang Road or near to Sungei Buloh.
* Do check the opening days of each farm before going.