Our Bus Journey @ Ngee Ann City

The first “Our Bus Journey” Bus Carnival, organised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), was held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on 11 to 13 March 2016 (Friday – Sunday). This is the first bus carnival organised by the transport regulator, which seeks to promote the history of Singapore’s Bus Industry.

Interactive exhibits, based on the theme “Past, Present and Future”, will be available for public viewing without admission fees. Exhibits include a full-sized mock-up bus simulator, static bus displays and game booths.

The winning colour for LTA’s “Colour Your Buses” campaign, Lush Green, was also revealed at 1 pm on the first day of the exhibition. As LTA takes over the bus network under the Bus Contracting Model, the public voting campaign chose Lush Green over Bright Red as the colour of choice for the common livery, which creates a unified and distinctive identity for the Singapore Bus.

In addition, a group of passionate bus enthusiasts from Singapore Bus Spotters Association (SBSA) displayed some exclusive bus collectables at a booth. They were featured in The Straits Times in February 2016.

Floor Plan

  1. Past Zone
  2. Vintage Bus Display
  3. Stage
  4. Bus Simulator
  5. KNACKSTOP Pop-Up Store
  6. Concept Bus B – MAN Lion’s City Double-Decker Concept Bus
  7. Future Zone
  8. Partner Booths
  9. Concept Bus A – Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Double-Decker Concept Bus
  10. Present Zone
  11. Activity Area
  12. SBS Transit Bus Display
  13. Inflatable Castle
  14. Thematic Rest Area

Buses on Display

As of 8 March, the following four buses were sighted in the tentage of Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza

The two double-deckers were initially covered in dark cloth, to hide them from public view until the grand announcement of the “Colour Your Buses” winning colour at 1pm on 11 March 2016, which was revealed to be Lush Green.

Road Traffic Act Exemption

In relation to the carnival, a special exemption order under the Road Traffic Act was passed on 5 Mar 2016 for the Bus Carnival. The exemption order allows the movement of vehicles pertaining to the carnival, such as static display buses and logistics trucks, on the sidewalk of Orchard Rd from Orchard Link to Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on both 7 March 2016 and 15 March 2016.

The exemption also allows the Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro display bus, bearing registration plate SG1098A, to be parked at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza for the entire duration of the carnival as well as the set-up and dismantling period.

The exact exemption act can be viewed here.

Celebrity Appearance

11 March – Celebrity appearance & emcee by Irene Ang, CEO and Founder of FLY Entertainment (12pm to 3pm)
12 March – Celebrity appearance by Pornsak (5pm to 6pm), Mediacorp Artiste and; Class 95 DJs Yasmine Cheng and Tim Oh (2pm to 4pm)
13 March – Celebrity appearance by Ya Hui 雅慧 (2pm to 3pm)

Former radio DJ Ivy Tan 陈艾薇 was the emcee for the event (11-13 March).


The event:

A.  Past Zone

Displayed as a memory lane, the Past Zone features bus seats modelled after buses of the past, short write-ups of public transport in that era, accompanied by memorabilia on display.

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - Past Zone
LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival – Ngee Ann City – Past Zone

 

B:  Vintage Bus Display

A unique mock-up bus made its first appearance at LTA’s Our Bus Journey Carnival at Ngee Ann City. A Singapore Traction Company bus, STC 609, a 1967 Nissan RX102K3, was salvaged from a scrapyard and restored to its former glory, and showcased to the public for the first time.

More information and pictures at the dedicated article: Singapore Traction Company Mock-up Bus

Restored Singapore Traction Company Bus - 1967 Nissan RX102K3 (STC609) - Exterior
The STC bus exterior

C:  Stage

The stage hosts performances, lucky draws and other casual events throughout the carnival.

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - Opening Ceremony Performances
Opening Ceremony Performances

D:  Bus Simulator

SMRT set up a bus simulator to showcase its bus driver training programme. This computer system builds drivers’ confidence before taking to the roads.

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - SMRT Bus Simulator
LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival – Ngee Ann City – SMRT Bus Simulator

E:  Knackstop Pop-Up Store

LTA’s very own one-stop shop sells public transport-inspired merchandise. Net sales proceeds will go towards the LTA Cares Fund, which makes commuting possible for working adults and students with physical disabilities who come from low-income groups

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - Knackstop store, popular with event-goers
LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival – Ngee Ann City – Knackstop store, popular with event-goers

F:  Concept Bus B – MAN Lion’s City Double-Decker Concept Bus

A MAN Lion’s City DD L Mock-up Bus, decorated in Lush Green, made its debut appearance at LTA’s Our Bus Journey Carnival at Ngee Ann City. The bus is one of two concept buses commissioned by LTA to provide the public with a glimpse of how buses would look like in the future, the other being a Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC (2015 Facelift).

More information and pictures at the dedicated article: MAN Lion’s City DD L Mock-up Bus

The MAN bus
The MAN bus

G:  Future Zone

Features exhibits on the future of the bus industry.

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - Infographic on how bus routes are planned
LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival – Ngee Ann City – Infographic on how bus routes are planned

 

H:  Partner Booths

Features manned booths by event partners.

I:  Concept Bus A – Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Double-Decker Concept Bus

An Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Mock-up Bus, decorated in Lush Green, made its debut appearance at LTA’s Our Bus Journey Carnival at Ngee Ann City. The bus is one of two concept buses commissioned by LTA to provide the public with a glimpse of how buses would look like in the future, the other being a MAN Lion’s City DD L.

More information and pictures at the dedicated article: Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Mock-up Bus

ADL Bus mock-up
ADL Bus mock-up

J:  Present Zone

Casual exhibits detailing with everyday issues in the bus industry.

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - Present Zone exhibit
LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival – Ngee Ann City – Present Zone exhibit

K:  Activity Area

L:  SBS Transit Bus Display

A single SBS Transit Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro (SG1098A) was on static display at the event.

LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival - Ngee Ann City - Mercedes-Benz Citaro (SG1098A) on static display
LTA Our Bus Journey Carnival – Ngee Ann City – Mercedes-Benz Citaro (SG1098A) on static display

 


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