Australian tourists abandoned at Singapore-Malaysia checkpoint

Brenda Tee this week shared a video on TikTok describing her experience with Malaysian operator Billion Stars Express.

She and her companion had booked overnight bus tickets operated by the company on Easybook's website to return to Singapore after a one-day trip in Kuala Lumpur.

The bus was supposed to take them from Kuala Lumpur to Lavender MRT Station in Singapore for a journey that takes about six hours, according to Today Online newspaper.

On June 6, as the bus reached the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore, all passengers were instructed to bring all belongings with them while clearing immigration customs.

The tourists took 15 minutes to clear the immigration checkpoint and went to the waiting point but were shocked to discover that the bus had left the checkpoint without any warning, AsiaOne reported.

They then called Billion Stars again and were told they "took too long and the driver could not wait."

Left behind, they were forced to buy tickets for another bus ride to return to Singapore.

The tourists complained about the incident to Easybook who told her that it may take about 21 working days to investigate what happened.

The TikTok post garnered nearly21,000 likes as of Tuesday afternoon, with some people sharing their own negative experiences with the bus company.

On American news site Tripadvisor, Billion Stars Express had a one-star rating, with numerous reviews left by angry customers.

One reviewer wrote: "Worst experience ever. Book if you want to experience the lousiest customer service, delayed bus and vulgar drivers. The bus was absolutely disgusting with roaches around."