SBS Transit’s fleet renewal programme continues unabated with its latest order for 350 new buses worth $ 159 million. This brings the Company’s total investment in new buses over the last three years to $ 586 million.

The latest order for 350 single– and double–deck buses will significantly lower the average age of SBS Transit’s bus fleet to slightly over 8 years from about 11 years currently. Indeed, with the addition of the new buses, one in two SBS Transit buses on the road will be new.

The new buses, which are expected to roll out in 2010, are from two Swedish bus manufacturers – Scania and Volvo. The Scania order involving 200 single–deck Euro V buses is worth an estimated $ 72 million while the Volvo order of 150 double–deck Euro V buses is worth about $ 87 million.

In all, SBS Transit will have 1,450 new buses in its fleet.

SBS Transit Executive Director, Mr Gan Juay Kiat, said: “We have been renewing our fleet over the last three years to provide our commuters with a more comfortable and safer ride. The new buses are also environmentally friendly which is a key consideration for us. We have also selected those that are friendlier to the disabled and the less mobile. We will continue to invest in more new buses going forward.”