Can't grab a seat? Commuters who booked bus rides to JB via Grab say they had to stand

In trying to avoid the Causeway crowd, some commuters decided to book bus rides via Grab instead. 

But they were left disappointed when they were forced to stand despite booking the service. 

Posted on July 14, TikTok user Candaries shared a video of her experience and wrote: "Booked Grab bus to JB and thought we will be guaranteed a seat. But no! We had to stand."

"Didn't know we have to squeeze like on a public bus." 

In her video, there were several commuters seen standing on the bus. 

Another similar video was shared by TikTok user Quowookka on July 15 who wrote: "Grab Bus no difference to taking SBS bus, see how squeezy."

Netizens flooded the comments section of their posts, sharing similar experiences. A user even said: "My sis's Grab bus didn't even turn up".

When a user asked Candaries if there was any indication about the availability of seats on Grab's booking app, Candaries replied: "There wasn't any information given and that made us confused. When we booked, it says 40 seats still available."

About a year ago, Grab rolled out their intercity bus service from Singapore to Malaysia, with multiple pick-up locations from Changi Airport Terminal to Tanglin CC.

Depending on the pick-up location, the bus fare can start from $3 and go up to $39.

For example, a ride from Changi Airport to JB CIQ Checkpoint will cost a person $11.

One TikToker Slowberries also posted her experience in June 28 this year, which garnered over 700,000 views, 35,000 likes and 13,000 shares. 

When sharing about the perks of booking a bus ride via Grab, she wrote: "Availability of seats, multiple pick-up points, spacious and comfortable."

A quick check by AsiaOne showed that when booking a bus seat via Grab's mobile app, it displays various timings available, with bus service providers such as Transtar Travel and KKKL Singapore.

Similar to booking on a website, the app shows the number of seats available in the bus and once the seats are filled, one will no longer be able to make a booking. 

In response to AsiaOne's queries, Grab said that the bus and ferry ticketing service was launched in July 2022, in partnership with EasyBook.

"Through this partnership, consumers will be able to easily purchase bus and ferry tickets offered via EasyBook's ticketing platform through the Grab app for routes between Singapore and Malaysia."

In efforts to ease the travel between Singapore and JB, bus service Causeway Link also announced a $2 shuttle bus service last year. 

The shuttle bus service runs between Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) and Woodlands CIQ daily, with approximately 15 minutes time interval depending on traffic and custom clearance condition.

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ashwini.balan@asiaone.com