Incumbent SBS Transit secures third package offered under Singapore’s Bus Contracting Model
SINGAPORE The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore has announced that the third package to be offered under the Bus Contracting Model, the Seletar Bus Package, has been awarded to incumbent operator, SBS Transit.
The Seletar Bus Package consists of 24 existing and two new bus routes originating from Ang Mo Kio, Yio Chu Kang and Yishun bus interchanges, with buses operating from the new Sungei Seletar Bus Depot.
SBS Transit currently operates the routes from Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang, and will take over 11 Yishun bus routes from SMRT Buses in Quarter One 2018.
SBS Transit submitted the lowest bid of S$480.3m. UK’s National Express, Australia’s Busways, Singapore’s Woodlands Transport, SMRT, Go-Ahead, Tower Transit and two consortiums – Kumho Buslines-Tian San Shipping and Travel GSH-Jiaoyun Group also participated in the bidding.
According to Channel NewsAsia, the LTA is considering the purchase of 50 hybrids and 60 electric buses. It reports that Second Minister for Transport, Ng Chee Meng has said that three routes will be fully served by electric buses.
A diesel-hybrid bus was first trialled by SBS Transit and Volvo while Go-Ahead Singapore has been using a BYD ebus although that six month trial will shortly be coming to an end.
The Gemling-bodied MAN Lion’s City DD concept bus that presented to the island state’s public last year has entered service with Tower Transit. A six month trial will see it operate on routes 41, 78, 106, 143 and 189.
It’s also reported that the three-door MAN single-decker that was exhibited at the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition will enter service with SMRT in Quarter Two.