Bus contracting model of Singapore
2016 government contract model
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bus Contracting Model (BCM), formerly known as the Government Contracting Model, is a contracting model introduced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in 2014 for public buses in Singapore, implemented in 2016. The BCM is based on the Transperth model in Perth, Western Australia, with quality incentive elements from London Buses.[1] Under the BCM, local and overseas bus operators bid for contracts to operate public bus services on behalf of LTA. The LTA has also adopted a new unified lush green livery and logo for all buses, and now procures and owns the bus fleet for all public bus services in Singapore.
History
First introduced in 2014, the Government of Singapore claimed that the new contracting model allows public bus services to be more responsive to changes in ridership and commuter needs and to encourage competition between bus operators, improving bus services for commuters.[2]
With the Bus Service Operating Licenses (BSOL) of SBS Transit and SMRT Buses expiring on 31 August 2016, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) decided to revamp the country's bus operations into a competitive tendering process. Under the contracting model, bus operators bid for the right to operate services while with the LTA as central planner, setting service levels and service standards. The LTA retains ownership of bus, depot and fleet management system assets. Operators that win a tender for a bus package are paid a fixed fee to operate the services.
Under the bus industry model, the LTA claims that the commuters will benefit with lesser waiting time for buses. All bus services will run at intervals of not more than 15 minutes, and feeders will run at even shorter intervals at 6 to 8 minutes.
The LTA initially tendered out three packages. These contracts are for five years, with two years extension if performance criteria are met. The remaining nine packages were reorganised into 11 packages, and are being run by the existing operators for periods of two to 10 years - this marked the completion of transition to the BCM. LTA will tender out these packages after these negotiated contracts expire.[3][4]
Tendered bus packages
Bulim Bus Package
In October 2014, the LTA called for tenders to operate the Bulim Bus Package comprising 26 existing bus services[5] originating from Bukit Batok, Jurong East and Clementi bus interchanges. Since then, services 653, 657 and 944 were added into this package under SMRT Buses on 13 April 2017, 24 April 2017 and 27 August 2017 respectively. In 2020, Service 651 was also added into this package.
Aedge Holdings, Busways, Go-Ahead Group, a Jiaoyun Group / Travel GSH joint venture, Jinan Public Transportation, Keolis, RATP Dev Transdev Asia, SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Transit Systems and Woodlands Transport lodged bids.[6] In May 2015, the LTA awarded the contract to Transit Systems with the new Bulim Bus Depot handed over to Tower Transit Singapore on 31 July 2015.[7][8] The depot is able to accommodate about 550 buses.
In September 2020, the LTA awarded the contract for the second term of this package to Tower Transit Singapore. Operations under the second term commenced on 29 May 2021, which also involves the transfer of services 653, 657 and 944 from SMRT Buses to Tower Transit Singapore.[9][10]
With the development of Tengah New Town, Route 944 was extended to Tengah Interchange and renumbered 992. Two new routes originating from Tengah itself, namely Routes 870, 871, and 872, were also introduced.
New Express feeder routes were also introduced bus services 452 and 453.
Loyang Bus Package
In April 2015, the LTA called for tenders to operate the Loyang Bus Package comprising 24 existing bus services originating from Changi Airport Bus Terminal, Changi Village Bus Terminal, Pasir Ris Bus Interchange and Punggol Temporary Bus Interchange. Later on, services 381 and 12e were introduced. On 1 April 2018, service 68 was added into this package.[11] On 9 September 2019, service 43e was added into this package. On 27 December 2020, service 384 was added into this package.
Busways, Go-Ahead Group, Keolis, RATP Dev Transdev Asia, SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, a Tian Tan Shipping/Kumho Buslines joint venture and Woodlands Transport lodged bids.[12] The contract was awarded in November 2015 to Go-Ahead Singapore.[13] The 29 bus routes are based at the new Loyang Bus Depot[14] which was completed in June 2015 and is able to accommodate about 505 buses.
In August 2020, Go-Ahead Singapore received a two-year contract extension to continue operating the bus package until September 2023.[15] In September 2022, this was further extended until September 2026.[16]
Seletar Bus Package
In June 2016, the LTA called for tenders to operate 24 existing bus services originating from Yishun Bus Interchange, Yio Chu Kang Bus Interchange and Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange, with 3 new bus services (71, 668 and 851e under SBS Transit as well as 652 and 807 initially under SMRT Buses) to be introduced.[17] The 29 routes are based at the new Seletar Bus Depot which was completed in the 3rd quarter of 2017 and is able to accommodate about 515 buses including 20 lots for electric buses. The tender was closed on 27 October 2016 (with original deadline as 6 October 2016).[18][19]
Busways, Go-Ahead Singapore, a Jiaoyun Group / Travel GSH joint venture, National Express, SBS Transit, Shenzhen Bus Group, SMRT Buses, a Tian Tan Shipping/Kumho Buslines joint venture, Tower Transit Singapore and Woodlands Transport lodged bids.[20] In April 2017, the LTA awarded incumbent operator SBS Transit the package.[21]
In 2022, SBS Transit received a two-year contract extension to continue operating the bus package until March 2025. They subsequently retained control of said package for the second term, edging out four other bidders, including Bravo Transport of Hong Kong, and SBS Transit will allow more bus services not from Seletar Bus Package to park in this bus depot, allowing the closure of Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot.[22]
Bukit Merah Bus Package
In April 2017, the LTA called for tenders to operate 17 bus services originating from Bukit Merah Bus Interchange, HarbourFront Bus Interchange, Buona Vista Bus Terminal, Marina Centre Bus Terminal, Kampong Bahru Bus Terminal, Queen Street Bus Terminal and Shenton Way Bus Terminal.[23] The 17 bus routes (including cross border services 160 and 170/170X) will be supported by the new Ulu Pandan Bus Depot which was completed in the first quarter of 2018 and is able to accommodate about 480 buses.[24]
Go-Ahead Singapore, a Jiaoyun Group / Travel GSH joint venture, SBS Transit, Shenzhen Bus Group, SMRT Buses and Tower Transit Singapore lodged bids.[25] In February 2018, the LTA awarded incumbent operator SBS Transit the package and allows more bus services not from Bukit Merah Bus Package to park in this bus depot, allowing the closure of Ayer Rajah Bus Park.[26]
Tenders for the second term of the Bukit Merah bus package were called on 23 November 2022, along with the initial term of the Jurong West bus package. The tender closed on 3 April 2023. On 18 August 2023, it was announced that SBS Transit won the tender for the package and will continue operating the bus services in this package, similar arrangements from the previous tender are carried out.[27]
Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package
In November 2019, the LTA called for tenders to operate the Sembawang-Yishun bus package, which was held concurrently with the tender for the second term of Bulim bus package. This involves 24 bus services operating out of Woodlands, Sembawang and Yishun bus interchanges.
- Service 110 will be handed over to Woodlands Bus Package
- Service 652 will be handed over to Seletar Bus Package
- Service 963R, NR1 and NR2 will be withdrawn.
They are based at the new Mandai Bus Depot which is able to accommodate about 550 buses (co-located with the Thomson–East Coast line MRT depot) from September 2021.[28]
In September 2020, the LTA awarded the contract for this package to Tower Transit Singapore. Operations commenced in 3 tranches from 5 September 2021, involving the transfer of the services from SMRT Buses to Tower Transit Singapore.[9][10]
In January 2022, route 801 was introduced and added to the package.
Route 861 was introduced and added to this package in September 2024.
Jurong West Bus Package
In November 2022, LTA called for tenders for the Jurong West Bus Package, along with the second term of the Bukit Merah package. This involved 26 bus services operated by SBS Transit operating mainly out of Boon Lay and Joo Koon bus interchanges. The tender closed on 3 April 2023. On 18 August 2023, LTA announced that SMRT Buses had won the tender for this bus package and will take over the bus services from 2024 onwards.[27]
Tampines Bus Package
In December 2024, LTA called for tenders for the Tampines Bus Package. This involves 26 bus services operating out of Tampines, Tampines Concourse and Tampines North bus Interchanges.[29]
On 19 September 2025, LTA announced that Go-Ahead Singapore had won the bid to operate 27 bus services under the Tampines Bus Package starting from 5 July 2026.[30][31]
In 24 November 2025, Express feeder routes also introduced bus service 454. It will also start Tampines Bus Package to Go Ahead Singapore from July 2026.
Serangoon-Eunos Bus Package
In December 2025, LTA called for tenders for the Serangoon-Eunos Bus Package. This involves 25 bus services operating out of Serangoon, Eunos, Woodleigh and Sims Place. Another new bus service will also be added in April 2026, which will come from Woodleigh. 506 is being transferred to Clementi Bus Package [citation needed] as a result.
Negotiated bus packages
In August 2016, the LTA announced the completion of the transitioning to bus contracting on 1 September 2016. The remaining nine packages covered 230 routes. They were organised in a way such that no change of employees from one operator to another was needed. Each package will last from five to 10 years. As the negotiated contracts expire, they will be put up for tender. These are the following bus service packages:[4][32][33]
- Sengkang-Hougang (35 services) (currently under Sengkang West Bus Depot)[n 1]
- Bedok (20 services) (currently under Bedok North Bus Depot)[n 1]
- Choa Chu Kang-Bukit Panjang (28 services) (currently under Gali Batu Depot)[n 1]
- Woodlands (20 services) (currently under Woodlands Bus Depot and upcoming Mandai Depot from 2030)[n 1]
- Tampines (25 services) (currently under Bedok North Bus Depot and upcoming East Coast Integrated Depot from July 2026)[n 1]
- Serangoon-Eunos (25 services) (currently under Hougang Bus Depot and upcoming Kim Chuan Depot from June 2027)[n 1]
- Clementi (23 services) (currently under Bukit Batok Bus Depot and upcoming Ulu Pandan Bus Depot from 2030)[n 1]
- Bishan-Toa Payoh (22 services) (currently under Hougang Bus Depot)[n 1]
Table of Bus Packages
| Package | Bus depot | Operator | Commencement Date | End date[n 2] | Total | Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tendered packages | ||||||
| Bulim | Bulim Bus Depot Tengah Depot (From 2028) |
Tower Transit Singapore | 29 May 2021 | 2028 | 38 | 41, 49, 66, 77, 78, 79, 96, 97, 97e, 98/98M, 106, 143/143M, 173, 177, 183, 189, 282, 284, 285, 333, 334, 335, 452, 453, 651, 653, 657, 674, 831G/831W, 870, 871, 872, 941, 945, 947, 984, 990, 992 |
| Loyang | Loyang Bus Depot Lorong Halus Bus Depot (From 2031) |
Go-Ahead Singapore | 4 September 2016 | 2026 | 36 | 2, 3, 6, 12, 12e, 15, 17/17A, 34, 36, 43, 43e, 44, 62, 68, 82, 83, 84G/84W, 85, 104, 118, 119, 136, 354, 358, 359, 381, 382G/382W, 384, 386, 403, 518/518A, 661, 666, 673, 678, 683 |
| Seletar | Seletar Bus Depot Ang Mo Kio multi-storey Bus Depot (From 2030) |
SBS Transit | 16 March 2025 | 2030 | 29 | 24, 70/70M, 71, 76, 130, 133, 135, 138/138M, 162, 261, 262, 265, 268, 269, 652, 668, 800, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 811, 812, 850E, 851, 851e, 852, 860 |
| Bukit Merah | Ulu Pandan Bus Depot Pasir Panjang Bus Depot (From 2029) |
28 April 2024 | 2029[n 2] | 18 | 5, 16/16M, 57, 93, 120, 121, 122, 123/123M, 131, 145, 160, 170/170X, 195, 198, 272, 273, 400, 993 | |
| Sembawang–Yishun | Mandai Depot Simpang Bus Depot (From 2029) |
Tower Transit Singapore | 5 September 2021 | 2028 | 26 | 167, 169, 171, 656, 663, 670, 801, 825, 853/853M, 854, 854e, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859/859A/859B, 861/861M, 882, 883/883M, 963, 963e, 965, 966, 969, 980, 981 |
| Jurong West | Soon Lee Bus Depot | SMRT Buses | 1 September 2024[34] | 2029[n 2] | 26 | 179/179A/179B, 181/181M, 182/182M, 185, 192, 193, 194, 199, 240/240M, 241, 242, 243G/243W, 246, 247, 248/248M, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 257, 258/258M, 405, 502/502A, 974 |
| Tampines | East Coast Integrated Depot (From July 2026) | Go-Ahead Singapore | 5 July 2026[35] | 2031[n 2] | 28 | 4, 10, 10e, 18/18M, 19, 20, 23, 28, 29, 31, 37, 38, 39, 47, 65, 69, 72, 81, 127, 129, 291, 292, 293, 296, 298, 299, 454, 513 |
| Serangoon–Eunos | Kim Chuan Depot (From June 2027) | TBA | 13 June 2027 | 2032[n 2] | 26 | 11, 22, 53/53M, 55, 58, 59, 60, 63/63M, 64, 90, 94, 101, 103, 105, 109, 134, 137, 140, 141, 146, 148, 150, 154, 158, 315, 317 |
| Negotiated packages | ||||||
| Tampines | Bedok North Bus Depot (Until July 2026) | SBS Transit | 1 September 2016 | 4 July 2026[36] | 28 | 4, 10, 10e, 18/18M, 19, 20, 23, 28, 29, 31, 37, 38, 39, 47, 65, 69, 72, 81, 127, 129, 291, 292, 293, 296, 298, 299, 454, 513 |
| Serangoon–Eunos | Hougang Bus Depot (Until June 2027) | 12 June 2027 | 27 | 11, 22, 53/53M, 55, 58, 59, 60, 63/63M, 64, 90, 94, 101, 103, 105, 109, 134, 137, 140, 141, 146, 148, 150, 154, 158, 315, 317, 506 | ||
| Sengkang–Hougang | Sengkang West Bus Depot | TBA | 39 | 27, 51, 80, 86, 87, 89, 89e, 102, 107/107M, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117/117M, 132, 151, 153, 159, 161, 163, 165, 324, 325, 329, 371, 372, 374, 654, 660/660M, 671, 672, 675, 676, 677, 679, 680, 681, 682 | ||
| Bedok | Bedok North Bus Depot | 20 | 9, 13, 14, 14e, 25, 30, 30e, 35/35M, 40, 42, 45, 46, 168, 196, 196e, 222, 225G/225W, 228, 229, 401 | |||
| Choa Chu Kang–Bukit Panjang | Gali Batu Depot | SMRT Buses | 2026 | 30 | 61, 67, 75, 172, 176, 180, 184, 188, 188e, 190, 300, 301, 302, 307, 451, 455, 868E, 920, 922, 927, 970, 972/972M, 973, 975, 976, 979, 982E, 983/983M, 985, 991 | |
| Woodlands | Woodlands Bus Depot (Until 2030) | 21 | 110, 178, 187, 665, 900, 901/901M, 902, 903/903M, 904, 911, 912, 913/913M, 925/925M, 950, 951E, 960, 960e, 961/961M, 962, 964, 967 | |||
| Clementi | Bukit Batok Bus Depot (Until 2030) | SBS Transit | TBA | 24 | 7, 32, 33, 48, 74, 91, 92, 95, 99, 100, 111, 147, 156, 166, 174, 174e, 175, 191, 197, 200, 201, 506 (From June 2027), 655, 667 | |
| Bishan–Toa Payoh | Hougang Bus Depot | 23 | 8, 21, 26, 50, 52, 54, 56, 73, 88, 124, 125, 139, 142, 155, 157, 186, 230/230M, 231, 232, 235, 238, 410G/410W, 456 | |||
Former Bus Packages
| Package | Bus depot | Operator | Commencement Date | End date[n 2] | Total | Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tendered packages | ||||||
| Bulim | Bulim Bus Depot | Tower Transit Singapore | 29 May 2016 | 28 May 2021 | 30 | 41, 49, 66, 77, 78, 79, 96, 97, 97e, 98/98M, 106, 143/143M, 173, 177, 183, 189, 282, 284, 285, 333, 334, 335, 651, 663, 665, 941, 945, 947, 974, 990 |
| Seletar | Seletar Bus Depot | SBS Transit | 11 March 2018 | 15 March 2025 | 29 | 24, 70/70M, 71, 76, 130, 133, 135, 138, 162, 261, 262, 265, 268, 269, 652, 668, 800, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 811, 812, 850E, 851, 851e, 852, 860 |
| Bukit Merah | Ulu Pandan Bus Depot | 18 November 2018 | 27 April 2024 | 18 | 5, 16/16M, 57, 93, 120, 121, 122, 123/123M, 131, 145, 160, 170/170X, 195, 198, 272, 273, 400, 993 | |
| Negotiated packages | ||||||
| Seletar | Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (SBS Transit) | SBS Transit | 1 September 2016 | 10 March 2018 | 14 | 24, 70/70M, 71, 76, 130, 133, 135, 138, 162/162M, 261, 262, 265, 268, 269 |
| Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (SMRT Buses) | SMRT Buses | 24 March 2018 | 12 | 800, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 811, 812, 850E, 851, 852, 860 | ||
| Bukit Merah | Bukit Batok Bus Depot Ayer Rajah Bus Park |
SBS Transit | 17 November 2018 | 18 | 5, 16, 57, 93, 120, 121, 122, 123/123M, 131/131M, 145, 160, 170/170X, 195, 198, 272, 273, 400, 402 | |
| Sembawang–Yishun | Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (SMRT Buses) | SMRT Buses | 2 October 2021 | 28 | 110, 167, 169, 171, 652, 656, 670, 825, 853/853M, 854, 854e, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859/859A/859B, 882, 883/883M, 963, 963e, 963R, 965, 966, 969, 980, 981, NR1, NR2 | |
| Jurong West | Soon Lee Bus Park | SBS Transit | 14 September 2024 | 26 | 179/179A, 181/181M, 182/182M, 185, 192, 193, 194, 199, 240/240M, 241, 242, 243G/243W, 246, 247, 248/248M, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 257, 258, 405, 502/502A, 974 | |
List of Bus Depots
| Bus Depot | Location | Bus Package | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedok North Bus Depot | Bedok North Avenue 4 | Tampines (until July 2026), Bedok | SBS Transit | |
| Bukit Batok Bus Depot | Bukit Batok Street 23 | Clementi (until 2030) | ||
| Bulim Bus Depot | Bulim Drive | Bulim (until 2028) | Tower Transit Singapore | SBS Transit is a tenant operator for this depot. |
| Gali Batu Depot | Jalan Gali Batu | Choa Chu Kang–Bukit Panjang | SMRT Buses | |
| Hougang Bus Depot | Defu Avenue 1 | Serangoon–Eunos (until June 2027), Bishan–Toa Payoh | SBS Transit | |
| Loyang Bus Depot | Loyang Way | Loyang (until 2031) | Go-Ahead Singapore | |
| Mandai Depot | Mandai Road | Sembawang–Yishun (until 2029), Woodlands (from 2030) | Tower Transit Singapore | |
| Seletar Bus Depot | Yio Chu Kang Crescent | Seletar (until 2030) | SBS Transit | |
| Sengkang West Bus Depot | Seletar West Road 1 / 2 | Sengkang–Hougang | ||
| Soon Lee Bus Depot | Soon Lee Road | Jurong West | SMRT Buses | |
| Ulu Pandan Bus Depot | Business Park Drive | Bukit Merah (until 2029), Clementi (from 2030) | SBS Transit | |
| Woodlands Bus Depot | Woodlands Industrial Park E4 | Woodlands (until 2030) | SMRT Buses |
Future Bus Depots
| Bus Depot | Location | Bus Package | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot | Ang Mo Kio Street 63 | Seletar | TBA | Under planning; ready by 2030[37] |
| East Coast Integrated Depot | Koh Sek Lim Road | Tampines | Go-Ahead Singapore | Under construction; ready by 2026 |
| Kim Chuan Depot | Hougang Close | Serangoon–Eunos | TBA | Under construction; ready by 2027 |
| Lorong Halus Bus Depot | Serangoon River Road | Loyang | Under construction; ready by 2030[38] | |
| Pasir Panjang Bus Depot | Harbour Drive | Bukit Merah | Under construction; ready by 2029[39] | |
| Simpang Bus Depot | Yishun Avenue 8 | Sembawang–Yishun | Under construction; ready by 2029[40] | |
| Tengah Depot | Tengah Close | Bulim | Under construction; ready by 2028 |
Former Bus Depots
| Bus Depot | Location | Operator | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (SBS Transit) | Ang Mo Kio Street 63 | SBS Transit | 4 January 2025 |
| Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (SMRT Buses) | Ang Mo Kio Street 62 | SMRT Buses | February 2022 |
| Ayer Rajah Bus Park | Ayer Rajah Crescent | SBS Transit | 9 September 2018 |
| Braddell Bus Park | Braddell Road | 14 February 2026 | |
| Changi Bus Park | Upper Changi Road East | 11 December 2016 | |
| Kranji Bus Depot | Kranji Road | SMRT Buses | 4 October 2025 |