The Low Cost Carrier Terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport is situated some 50 km from the capital Kuala Lumpur. However, passengers need not worry about their transportation needs to the city centre as it is conveniently and efficiently connected by bus, taxi and limousine services. Since September 2009, passengers have another travel option to KL Sentral, as Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) introduces a shuttle service between the Salak Tinggi Station and the LCCT, on the KLIA Transit service. Jom Naik Bas! had the chance to ride the new service, from the LCCT to KL Sentral.

Situated just near the Arrival Hall exit are ticketing booths for bus, taxi and limousine services to Kuala Lumpur city centre and other destinations. Fares for the bus services starts at RM8 and are provided by at least 3 bus companies. There are no ticketing counters, however, for the KLIA Transit train service. But passengers will not miss the banners promoting the new service. On these banners, passengers are told to proceed to Bus Bay 6 to board the free shuttle bus that will bring passengers to Salak Tinggi Station.

Taxi and limousine counter.

Shuttle bus counter.

KLIA Transit to LCCT promotional banner.

As we walked towards Bus Bay 6,  many buses are parked and abuzz with boarding activities. Parked at Bus Bay 6 is a Cityliner midibus which was contracted to provide the bridging bus service. Cityliner is a major stage bus operator in Malaysia, with operations in several states. It is part of the Kenderaan Transnasional Berhad, which is also the parent company for Transnasional, Plusliner and NiCE brands.

WST6501, a CNG-powered Daewoo BS 09 midibus.

Bodywork by SKSBus.

The bridging bus service is operated at a half-hour intervals. The airconditioned 30-seater midibus is fitted with luggage racks at the front and seats are of the high-back version. The bus itself is powered by Daewoo and runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Bodywork was supplied by SKSBus on the Ci 06 model. At the precise half-hour mark, the bus left the LCCT for its destination.

Saloon view from the front.

Saloon view from the back.

The luggage rack compartment.

The journey to Salak Tinggi Station takes less than 15 minutes. The bus itself is powerful for a midi but the airconditioning system was somewhat less than desired. The Salak Tinggi Station is located at the Salak Tinggi Township, touted as the Airport City. It’s quite deserted since it is a Sunday and the vicinity is quite built up yet. There were, however, a cluster of shophouses located just a few hundred metres from the station.

Ticketing counter at Salak Tinggi Station.

The tickets issued for travel.

View from the overhead bridge. The depot can be seen on the left.

Upon alighting, we purchased the tickets to KL Sentral. A one-way ticket for adults costs RM12.50 and children pays only half that price. We have to use the overhead bridge to get to the platform. On the overhead bridge, we were able to see the depot and maintenance shed for the ERL trains. We did not wait long for the KL-bound KLIA Transit train to arrive. And the best thing of all, it was near empty. The four-car trains are operated on the standard gauge railway track system, different from the Keretapi Tanah Melayu trains which runs on the narrow gauge tracks. Electricity is supplied via overhead cables and the Desiro Electrical Multiple Units (EMU) trains were procured from Siemens AG. The interior is luxuriously spacious and fitted with exceptionally comfortable seats. TV screens are also provided onboard.

The platform area at Salak Tinggi Station.

The train arrival information system display.

The journey was amazingly smooth and almost quiet. You can hardly hear any grinding of the tracks. The trains were not jerky and the airconditioning system was superb. The service will call at two other stations – Putrajaya/Cyberjaya and Bandar Tasik Selatan – before terminating at KL Sentral. The train journey takes about 20 minutes from Salak Tinggi Station to KL Sentral, up to twice faster than commuting by bus.

KLIA Transit to KL Sentral arrives.

The interior of a KLIA Transit EMU trainset.

KLIA Transit arrives in KL Sentral some 20 minutes later.

I have no main grouses with the service. Generally, the service was efficient, comfortable and fast. However, it would be better if stepless buses, or at least those with lower floors are deployed on the shuttle. There are bound to be passengers with big luggage and certainly it is challenging and difficult to carry the bags onboard if the steps are high. Otherwise, it would have been an excellent service. Jom Naik Bas! certainly recommends the KLIA Transit to LCCT service to commuters.

For more information, log on to KLIA Transit to LCCT.

Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, AirAsia, started flying on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route, one of the world’s busiest, since 1st February 2008. Starting out with just 2 daily flights, it is now operating as many as 8 flights between the two cities. Jom Naik Bas! brings you the first of many reviews that will be done on the author’s other passion – aviation and railways. Jom Terbang on AirAsia!

I booked through the online booking system around a month before the intended departure date. Usually, $0 seats would have been sold out by this time but I was lucky as I’m still able to book the free seats. In all, I paid only S$28, payment for the mandatory airport tax. Although many must have known by now, I’d just like to mention it here that AirAsia and its subsidiaries no longer charge fuel surcharges and admin fees. Passengers will only have to pay the additional airport tax. Booking was done in such a breeze. I can choose to buy a preferred seat and my meals, but I opted against that, since it’s just a short flight. And since I’m just carrying my messenger bag along, I don’t have to pay for any additional luggage.

Fast forward to the day of departure.. AirAsia operates from Changi Airport Terminal 1 in Singapore. The flight that I booked departs for Kuala Lumpur at 7.45am local time, which is the first flight of the day. Like any other airlines, check-in counters closes 45 minutes before departure time and I was lucky that I arrived just in time before it closes. Such a close shave!

Check-in row 11 for AirAsia flights at Changi Terminal 1.

The boarding pass.

Last call to all passengers of AK720 to KL.

As advised by the officer at the check-in counter, I proceeded to the Departure Lounge after the boarding pass were issued. The boarding pass is essentially made up of 2 slips of thermal paper, so as to save costs. After going through the immigration clearance, I made my way to Gate D35 where the boarding will be done. Gate D35 is located at the East Wing of Terminal 1. All passengers will have to go through the security screening before they can enter the holding area. Over at the apron, the gleaming Airbus A320 had just arrived from Kuala Lumpur. At the holding area, flat-screen TVs airing programmes from Channel NewsAsia and internet terminals were provided for passengers while waiting to board the aircraft. At around 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time, the officer at the gate announces the first group of passengers that will board the plane – those who have prebooked the ‘Hot Seats’ as well as senior citizens, those with children and the less-abled passengers. This will be followed by those who have prebooked seats on other rows, and the last to board the planes will be those who were assigned seats during the check-in. Going by the number of people at the holding area, it seems that it will almost be a full flight.

Entrance to the holding area of Gate D35.

9M-AFU soon after arriving from Kuala Lumpur.

The holding area.

Passengers were greeted by three cabin crews on duty upon boarding. The door was closed after all passengers have been accounted for. Pushback from the gate was done promptly at around 7.55am. As usual, the cabin crew on duty performed the routine safety demonstrations while the plane taxies to the runway. AirAsia flight AK720 will take off from Runway 20R or the northern runway. Precise takeoff was documented at around 8.07am, according to my watch. I was seated on the right and was given breathtaking views of eastern Singapore in the early morning. The plane, registered as 9M-AFU, reached cruising altitude some 8 minutes after departure.

No prizes for guessing where in Singapore this is.

Shortly after, the crew announces the start of food and drinks sale. Passengers who have prebooked their meals get 20% discount off the listed price. Hot meals like Nasi Lemak, as well as light snacks were on sale. Hot and cold drinks were also available. Again, I chose not to purchase anything since it was short flight. As the sale ends, the crew then announces the sale of collectibles and memorabilias. These items, which includes shirts, caps and souvenirs are only available for sale onboard the aircraft.

The Snack Attack menu card.

The safety card.

The interior of a typical AirAsia's Airbus A320 aircraft.

It is indeed a very short flight, as the ‘Fasten Seatbelts’ sign were switched on less than 20 minutes after it was switched off. The plane started its descend over Melaka. The North-South Highway is visible winding through the lush greenery. The cabin crew made a last instruction to all passengers to fasten their seatbelts, restore their food trays and seats to the upright position, as the pilot made final preparations to land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The plane landed safely at 8.46am. As the plane made its way to the apron, I was greeted by the sight of some of AirAsia X newest aircraft idling at the tarmac.

No prizes for guessing which landmark this is..

AirAsia X Airbus A330-300 9M-XXB

Interestingly, there were no other airplane except for the older Boeing 737 which had just arrived from Bandung. Most of the other A320s were holding at the domestic apron. I’ve heard of unpleasant comments made by passengers of the Low Cost Carrier Terminal or LCCT. But I beg to differ. The terminal was clean, spacious and quite comfortable. Well, at least for the International Departure and Arrival Halls! It is quite big and packed with people all over the place. I chose to travel on the new KLIA Transit train shuttle to Kuala Lumpur city centre. I had to walk all the way to the other side of the terminal to board the shuttle bus to the train station.

AirAsia Airbus A320-200 9M-AFU

Snapshots of KLIA-LCCT.

The whole journey took me some 4 hours from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur city centre, including a 35 minutes shuttle bus and train ride to the city. Quite amazing that I was able to reach my destination earlier than I thought. Service on AirAsia was not bad. I had a bad experience on Indonesia AirAsia before so I was not putting high expectations on the service. Like everyone else said, “You’re flying on a budget carrier!”. I was certainly pleased that the crew was all smiles and spoke nicely to all passengers. I had a great time flying with AirAsia, although I was not too OK with the seats.

AirAsia and its crew on AK720 will receive 3.5 stars! Well done!

Sinarmas Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd operates a mix fleet of single- and double-deck excursion buses. Check out their buses on their very own blog.

Many thanks to Ku Seman for the link.

Sinarmas Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd

Passengers-in-wheelchair (PIW) will soon be able to commute to Changi Airport by bus. SBS Transit has announced the launch of 8 new Wheelchair Accessible Bus services (WAB) from Monday, 26th October 2009. The 8 new services will include 3 services to the airport, as well as 3 feeder/Townlink services. Also not left out are PIW who lives in Potong Pasir estate.

SBS Transit official poster

The 8 new WAB services are:

• Trunk Service 3 – between Tampines Interchange and Punggol Interchange via Pasir Ris
• Trunk Service 27 – between Hougang Central Interchange and Changi Airport
• Trunk Service 34 – between Punggol Interchange and Changi Airport
• Trunk Service 53 – between Bishan Interchange and Changi Airport
• Trunk Service 142 – between Toa Payoh Interchange and Potong Pasir
• Townlink Service 293 – between Tampines Interchange and Tampines Street 71/45
• Townlink Service 358 – between Pasir Ris Interchange and Pasir Ris Drive 10/4
• Feeder Service 410 – between Bishan Interchange and Sin Ming Avenue

More information is available at SBS Transit website.

The Express Bus Agencies Association or EBAA of Singapore is lobbying for a permanent interstate bus terminal here in Singapore. The one-stop terminal will cater to all express buses, which will definitely be a boon to passengers as currently, buses to Malaysia departs from practically everywhere in Singapore. In Part 2 of Jom Naik Bas to Malaysia!, Jom Naik Bas! brings you a list of departure points for express buses to Malaysia.

• Golden Mile Complex, Beach Road
  To Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Penang, Ipoh, Alor Setar, Hatyai, Seremban, Klang, and other smaller towns in Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor. Singapore’s main departure point to Malaysia. Buses that call here includes Transtar, Five Stars, Alisan, Grassland, Sri Maju, Starmart, LPMS, SE Super and several other smaller operators.
• Golden Mile Tower, Beach Road
  To all destinations served by Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung (KBES).
• The Plaza, Beach Road
  To Bangsar (KL), Bandar Utama (Damansara) and Holiday Villa Subang (Subang Jaya) by First Coach. To Mentakab and Kuantan in Pahang by Union Omnibus.
• KeyPoint, Jalan Sultan/Beach Road
  To Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Alor Gajah (Melaka) by Alisan Golden Coach.
• Textile Centre, Jalan Sultan
  To Kuala Lumpur by Eltabina Express and WTS Travel.
• Queen Street Bus Terminal (also known as Ban San Street Terminal)
  To destinations served by 707 Travel Group.
• HarbourFront Centre
  To Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Utama, Sunway, Petaling Jaya and Mines Resort Seri Kembangan by Aeroline.
• Concorde Hotel, Orchard Road (former Le Meridien Hotel)
  To Kuala Lumpur and Melaka by Luxury Tours. To Kuala Lumpur by Airebus and WTS Travel.
• DFS Galleria, Scotts Road
  To Mersing and Tanjong Gemok by WTS Travel.
• Newton Circus Carpark
  To Mersing and Tanjong Gemok by WTS Travel.
• Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Bukit Timah Road
  To Kuala Lumpur by Odyssey. To Seremban by Plusliner. To Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan by NiCE.
• Novena Square
  To Bangsar (KL), Bandar Utama (Damansara) and Holiday Villa Subang (Subang Jaya) by First Coach.
• Parkroyal on Kitchener Road Hotel, Little India
  To Kuala Lumpur by Suasana Edaran and LapanLapan Express (88 Ekspres).
• Lavender Street Bus Station
  To all destinations served by Transnasional. To Subang Jaya by NiCE. To Melaka (Malacca) by Delima and Malacca-Singapore Express. To Batu Pahat  and Muar by Hasry Express. To Kuala Lumpur by Meridian Holidays. To Seremban, Kuala Lumpur, Klang and Shah Alam by Mahligai Express (Golden Diamond).
• Hock Seng Building, Lavender Street
  To Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands by Transtar.
• Malay Village, Geylang Serai
  To Kuala Lumpur and Melaka by CepatSedia Express.
• Old Princess Cinema, Bedok Interchange
  To Genting Highlands by WTS Travel.
• Taxi Stand next to Tampines MRT
  To Genting Highlands by Five Stars and WTS Travel.
• Kovan Hub, Hougang Street 21
  To all destinations served by CitiExchange, and CepatSedia Express.
• Blk 710, Ang Mo Kio Central near Ang Mo Kio MRT
  To Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands by WTS Travel.
• Blk 179, Toa Payoh Central near Library
  To Genting Highlands by WTS Travel.
• Sembawang SunPlaza
  To Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands by Konsortium Bas Ekspres (KBES).
• Causeway Point, Woodlands
  To Genting Highlands by WTS Travel.
• Bukit Panjang Plaza
  To Kuala Lumpur, Mersing and Tanjong Gemok by WTS Travel.
• Bukit Timah Plaza
  To Genting Highlands, Mersing and Tanjong Gemok by WTS Travel.
• Lot 1 Shoppers’ Mall, Choa Chu Kang
  To Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands by WTS Travel
• Boon Lay Shopping Centre
  To Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands and other towns in Perak, Kedah and Perlis by Five Stars, Konsortium (KBES) and Grassland.
• IMM, Jurong East
  To Kuala Lumpur by Causeway Link Express.