Batam & Wavemaster new ticketing office

[johnny333]

On my last trip to Batam I took Wavemaster & noticed a unwelcome change that people may want to take note of.

If you are taking Wavemaster back to Spore they've moved the ticketing office to the mall where Carrefour is located. So make sure to factor in the time required for the increased walking distance.

From the ticketing office you'll have to take the overhead bridge, escalator down to the shopping complexes next door to the immigration building.

Simpler solution is to just avoid Wavemaster & take the Penguin ferry from Batam City. The taxi fare to Batam City is 45,000rupiah while the fare to Harbour Bay is 35,000. You pay 10,000 rupiah more to avoid the hassle at Harbour Bay.

Wavemaster is a Spore owned company & obviously not customer friendly :( The ticketing office used to be located at the same building as the immigration, then they moved next door, then they moved again farther away to the mall.

 

[Equalisation]

Anything interesting to do and play in Batam. Haven't been there yet.:o

 

[johnny333]

Anything interesting to do and play in Batam. Haven't been there yet.:o

In the past people went to Batam for the night life, gambling, massages, girls, seafood,..

However gambling was banned years ago. Still got the girls, massages, seafood & now various malls have popped up in Batam: Diamond, Megamall, Nagoya Hill, Harbour Bay, ..currently they are building the City View mall .

Many Sporeans go there on day trips for massages, to shop & eat. One can get around using the numerous taxis.

Saw a group of uncles & aunties shopping in Carrefour on my last trip. It's the same chain thats in Spore except that they carry they carry more indonesian tidbits. I like to visit the A&W at Nagoya Hill Mall. Many interesting restaurants in the malls that serve indonesian dishes. You can also find Seoul Gardens, MacD, & KFC outlets

It's a change from going to JB

Unfortunately the PAP has increased the cost of a a ticket to Batam. Years ago before Vivocity was completed, a 2 way fare to Batam cost $19. When the Vivocity Mall was completed, the costs escalated to the now $48. Alot of it is the PAP tax :(

 

[Equalisation]

You are right. $48 for the short distance not worth it.

May as well add another $30+ can fly to Penang and back already.....

 

[johnny333]

You are right. $48 for the short distance not worth it.

May as well add another $30+ can fly to Penang and back already.....

That's why Batam's economy is taking a hit.

I only go there to visit my friends but have been cutting back on the frequency of visits because it's sometimes depressing seeing the changes. The move of the Wavemaster ticketing office is really inconvenient because of the longer walk.

I'll probably spend more time visiting Malaysia or LOS