SBS Transit wins tender to operate the Bukit Merah Bus Package

SBS Transit has been awarded the Bukit Merah Bus Package, which is the fourth set of public bus services that has been put up for tender under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM). The award of the five-year contract, which can be extended by another two years, is the second bus tender award for SBS Transit under the new model. It is also the first bus package of our Negotiated Contracts that has been tendered.

The new contract, which comprises 18 bus services, including two cross-border services to Johor Bahru, will start from the fourth quarter of 2018. The services will originate from two bus interchanges - Bukit Merah and HarbourFront – and four bus terminals – Kampong Bahru, Marina Centre, Queen Street and Shenton Way. They will be supported by the new Ulu Pandan Bus Depot. Currently, SBS Transit operates all the 18 existing bus services under the Package.

SBS Transit Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gan Juay Kiat, said: “We are very encouraged by the strong vote of confidence that the LTA has given us. We intend to invest even more in both hardware and software to deliver quality service to our commuters and look forward to rolling out the 18 services from the fourth quarter of 2018.”

Our proposal includes the setting up of a new, modern Technical Assessment and Certification Centre at the Ulu Pandan Depot for the Singapore Bus Academy (SGBA). It will enhance the professionalism of engineering and technical staff in the bus industry and complement the SGBA’s efforts to raise the profile of the industry. Our experienced engineering staff will also be involved in curriculum development and conducting assessments and certification.

In safety, we will introduce a telematics system, known as SAGE, on about 330 buses under the Bukit Merah Bus Package. This will monitor the smoothness and comfort of our bus rides. The system records and monitors the Bus Captain's (BC’s) driving behaviour including whether he or she has been travelling too fast or accelerating too harshly. Feedback is then given in real time to the BC through audio and visual alerts. Besides SAGE, the buses will also be equipped with Mobileye, which is an Advanced Driver Assistance System, to act as an added safeguard to alert BCs of any impending collision with vehicles or pedestrians in front of them – enabling them to take defensive action immediately.

With a Green focus, new initiatives will be incorporated at the Ulu Pandan Depot. These include the use of solar panels to generate electricity – a move that will reduce energy consumption by about 10% and 15%. Other green features include the use of NeWater for non-potable purposes such as bus washing. We will also work towards achieving a Green Mark certification for the new Depot.