With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you’ve probably already caught wind of kiasu couples scurrying to lock down their date plans for the big day. If you’re still racking your brains for something to surprise your SO with, perhaps it’s time to consider cross-border options, as the shops over at Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) are looking all the more accessible.
In case you’ve not heard, the folks over at Causeway Link have implemented new JPO2 and JPO3 bus routes that’ll bring you straight to JPO, whether you’re entering JB from the Tuas or Woodlands checkpoints. Here’s all you need to know before you head down to shop till you drop.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 20th January 2025.
Image credit: Causeway Link
Also known as the CW bus, taking Causeway Link’s yellow buses remain as one of the quickest and affordable ways to get you across the border from Singapore. We’ve got a whole Causeway Link bus guide you can refer to if you’d like to hitch a ride on one for your next JB trip, but their new bus routes to JPO work a little differently.
For starters, Causeway Link has implemented 2 new bus routes, namely the JPO2 and JPO3 routes, that’ll be ferrying passengers to and from the 2 JB checkpoints and JPO. There’s also the JPO1 bus route that brings you to JPO, but there are quite a number of stops on the route which will result in a travel time of about 45 minutes to an hour.
On the other hand, the JPO2 and JPO3 routes will transport passengers directly to JPO from CIQ 1st Link if you’re entering from Woodlands, and CIQ 2nd Link for travellers from Tuas. Although we’re not quite sure how long travel times are, you’ll probably be looking at 30- to 40- minute bus rides, without factoring in the standard weekend jams.
The one-way fare for taking the JPO2 bus is RM4.50, while those taking the JPO3 bus will have to pay RM6 instead. Here’s a table that tells you all the departure timings for both bus services at a glance.
| JPO2 | JPO3 | ||
| From CIQ 1st Link to JPO (Woodlands) | From JPO to CIQ 1st Link | From CIQ 2nd Link to JPO (Tuas) | From JPO to CIQ 2nd Link |
| 9am | 11am | 9am | 10.30am |
| 12pm | 2pm | 12pm | 1.30pm |
| 3pm | 5pm | 3pm | 4.30pm |
| 6pm | 8pm | 6pm | 7.30pm |
Taking the JPO2 and JPO3 buses is simple, just like taking any other CW bus. However, unlike Causeway Link’s popular cross-border CW1, CW2, and CW5 buses that pick you up from locations in Singapore like Bugis and Kranji, you’ll have to head to either the Woodlands or Tuas Checkpoints yourself if you choose to take the JPO2 or JPO3 buses.
Simply follow the yellow CW bus signs and you can’t go wrong.
After clearing immigration, you’ll have to head to the bus bay and look for the designated pick-up point for CW buses. Those entering JB via Woodlands Checkpoint can keep an eye out for yellow signs that point you in the direction of the pick-up point. These buses will take you from Woodlands Checkpoint over to the JB customs.
What the interior of a CW bus looks like.
When it’s time to board the JPO2 or JPO3 bus, you have the option of paying for your fare with a ManjaLink card, a Visa debit or credit card, or cash. If you’ve paid for your ride using cash, do remember to keep the physical ticket the staff hands you. After a short ride, you’ll have to alight to clear immigration at JB’s customs.
Once you’ve passed through immigration in JB, you’ll have to look for another JPO2 or JPO3 bus to board, which will bring you straight to JPO’s bus terminal. You won’t have to pay again, as the fare includes both the connecting ride to the JB customs and the ride to JPO. Simply present your physical ticket or tap the card you’ve used to pay for the initial trip to board the bus.
The boarding bay at CIQ 1st Link.
Upon arrival, those who’ve travelled with JPO2 buses from Woodlands can head to Boarding Bay 24 at CIQ 1st Link, and those who’ve opted for JPO3 buses should be able to find one at the CIQ 2nd Link’s boarding bay.
The bus terminal at JPO.
Image credit: Causeway Link
It’s smooth sailing from there on out, and all that’s left to do is to enjoy the ride to JPO. JPO has a dedicated bus terminal which is where you’ll want to head to when it’s time to go home after all that shopping.
And there you have it, a fuss-free and affordable way of getting over the border to pamper bb with a surprise shopping spree. Besides their deals on luxury goods, JPO is also decked out with multiple F&B spots, so remedying hunger pangs mid-shopping is definitely not an issue.
For more things to do in JB if you’re heading there this Valentine’s Day:
Cover image adapted from: Causeway Link
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