For those who wish to avoid the traffic jams at the causeway, an alternative way to travel from Singapore into Malaysia or vice versa is to take passenger boats, revealed media reports.
Currently, there are only two ports here where passenger boats pick up travellers going to Malaysia: Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal.
At Changi Ferry Terminal, there are four two-way trips to Tanjung Belungkor in Johor on weekends and two on weekdays on ferries operated by Malaysian firm Limbongan Maju. A one-way ticket to Tanjung Belungkor costs S$25, while a two-way ticket costs S$38. Each ferry has a capacity for 90 passengers.
At Changi Point Ferry Terminal, bumboats ferry people to the coastal town of Pengerang in south-eastern Johor. Tickets cost S$11 per head and the captain usually waits until there at least 11 passengers before departing.
Although the number of people who use boats to travel between Malaysia and Singapore are fewer than those who use the causeway, demand could grow as more ferries will be allowed to ply between Changi Ferry Terminal and Tanjung Belungkor following the recent bilateral talks between both countries.
The authorities are also planning to expand the current routes to include Puteri Harbour in Nusajaya, which is only 20 minutes from Johor Bahru by car.
According to a source from Nusajaya’s master developer UEM Sunrise, the company’s management and Singapore’s maritime authorities are firming up details of the new ferry service.
“We’re hoping to kick-start the service by the next half of this year. The ferry service will most likely depart from HarbourFront in Singapore,” the source said.
Image: Aerial view of the causeway to Johor.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
