geedee

So, just thought I'd recount my first dry-run experience! Arrived S'pore yesterday.
Today I thought I'd try and travel to where we're thinking of renting by public transport, as a commuting trial!
The plan.... MRT to Joo Koon. Taxi to the border. Walk across. Pick up taxi other side.
Oh dear!
Arrived at Joo Koon and not an empty taxi to be seen anywhere. Decided to walk about and came to Singapore Discovery Centre. Still no cabs. Walked a bit further, then decided to go back to MRT station.
As luck would have it, picked up a taxi at the station (he was dropping someone off). Asked about the crossing and he said he couldn't go over, but he'd drop me at Tuas checkpoint, then I could walk.
The border officer wouldn't let me... he said it's 5km!!
Waited for ages for another cab to come by. He explained the only place to get a cab or a bus was Queen Street,which is where we went.
The Malaysian cabs there refused to use Tuas, saying they would take me to Johor Baru and then I'd get another cab.
Luckily, a "private driver" overheard me. For a negotiated price, he took me over, drove me around Gelang Patah, also to the school our kids are booked in at, and then back to my short-term rental apartment.
4 stamps in my passport, and many hours later, I'm starting to re-think things!!
If anyone was driving around Joo Koon today, and you saw an expat in a blue shirt looking thoroughly peed off and projectile sweating.... that was me!

The above anecdote is for anyone else with the same "bright idea"!

RedDragon2008

There you go then just need more old spice

geedee

I should edit it really!

bakedbean

And you've got the lovely Haze too

geedee

It wasn't that noticeable today.... nowhere near as bad as yesterday when it was "401" (whatever that means) and all these anti-smoking laws go up in, er, smoke!

Bocat

Geedee - did you not think to ask any of us about the public transport options?!

My hubby has taken the bus a couple of times from Jurong East to Gelang Patah and my helper does it every Sunday.

To be honest it's a pain in a behind. You definitely need a car if you're thinking of living here. In fact two if your other half doesn't want to be too isolated and/or be stuck chauffeuring you back and forth (which I did for the first couple of months - believe me that gets old very quickly!!)

Hence why hubby now drives a 6 year old Kia Picanto to work every day! Most of the guys here have small cars that they take back and forth to the office. Very few people can afford two big cars.

How long are you here for? Give me a shout if you have any questions.

geedee

I don't like to bother you all....

bakedbean

Just bumping this thread as I'm on my iPad and its the easiest way....sigh.

Geedee, referring to your new thread today, Ms Bocat is in Nusajaya and has offered to answer questions, so if no response to your other thread, maybe send a PM via this one?

geedee

I'm sure she'll be along soon with her usual excellent advice! My new thread might help others too.

Moving countries is such a pain in the ar......!!

bakedbean

Yes jolly good thread... I agree.

iPads are a pain in the bum too sometimes

PJS1424

Did my first Tuas run today. A few things it would have been good to know about: you need a toll card to enter Singapore. You can buy these at the border but you need to pay $10 in cash and fill out a form and you need a smartphone to snap a picture of your tax disc. You also need to fill out immigration cards. All of which took almost an hour ( at an otherwise fairly quiet time I would guess).

I guess the autopay card is a one off hassle and you just keep it topped up at a Sing 7eleven. The immigration cards: I assume an EP visa in your passport avoids the need for these?

Are there any tips for speeding up te border crossing?

Bocat

Hi

Sorry if I'm being a bit dense tonight - it's been a long day!

Are you driving a Singapore car or a Malaysian one?

Are you going to be working in Sing (and will therefore have an EP Visa?) If so - you don't have to fill in Immigration Cards.

Also - do you have a MACS pass in your passport so that you don't get stamped at the Malaysian side?

PJS1424

Bocat

Driving a Malay car. Will have EP from December and will try and get the MACS card. I will be doing the "Singaporean EP living in malaysia on 30day tourist visa" thing probably so can I get a MACs? I will have two kids in school in Nusajaya if that helps.

Bocat

I don't think you should have any problem getting a MACS pass. You get it at the Immigration at the border. Just take along your passport and RM30 per person. I think with our initial one we took photos too but I don't think they used them - just replicated our passport photos.

The MACS office is open til 6pm every day (I think from 9am).

markz

You don't take taxis across Tuas. The bus services from Singapore over to Nusajaya / Bukit Indah etc are really ok. Timing is everything. If anyone wants any help over here, just give us a shout. Been here for a long time and no real issues once you know what you are doing.