The good:
1. Seats were comfy and very good.
2.The drive was smooth and timely.
3. The driver was professional
The bad:
1. There were NO UPDATES or CLEAR INFORMATION on where exactly the bus stop / pickup area was - how hard is it for the bus company or the booking company to update your booking confirmation with a google maps pin with exact location, and may be a few photos of the spot so it is helpful for passengers?
Also, how hard is it to send updates on email / whatsapp - there was basically none of that
2. I had to change two buses (why do I need to do that when there are direct options between the start and end stations)
3. The luggage handler / porter was unprofessional and had an attitude about his job. Hire people who can help and do their jobs without giving a bad attitude to customers.
Bus was on time and reached on time.
The trip was good. Drives drives well and feels safe. As usual the bus was clean and of course the seat was comfortable.
BUT, but, but......
There was an issue due to 6 passengers missing and did not board the bus at the Malaysian Immigration check point before entering Singapore. This resulted in a delay of about 40 minutes and unnecessary lost of time for other passengers. Here is what happened.
1. Two buses arrive at the Malaysian checkpoint at the same time. One bus stopping at Boon Lay (BL) and the other at Beach Road (BR). Both buses are the same color and design.
2. Six foreign passenger from the BR bound bus mistakenly boarded the bus going to BL. Driver and passenger of BR bound bus waited and waited and the six passengers. Finally drive of BR bus look at immigration and did not fine the six missing passenger.
3. BR driver will not leave with luggage of the six missing passenger and go to Singapore.
4. Later BR driver determine that the six passenger are already in Singapore. Custom in Singapore were informed of the situation.
5. BR driver proceed to drive to Singapore. Customs in Singapore waited to received the luggage to hand over to the six passenger.
6. Forty minutes unnecessary loss of time to other passengers.
7. This problem can be easily avoided if THE STARMART EXPRESS MANAGEMENT PLACES THE BUS LICENSE NUMBER INSIDE THE BUS, SO CUSTOMER KNOW WHICH BUS THERE ARE IN. ALSO, PASSENGERS REQUIRING VISA GOING INMTO SINGAPORE MUST ENTER THE BUS LICENSE PLATE.
This is a very simple action that Starmart Express can do to avoid incidences like these and avoid unnecessary delay that impact the level of service of Starmart.
