With 2022 coming to an end, we take a look back at major milestones to have happened across Singapore’s public transport industry.
Opening of TEL3
Eleven stations along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Stage 3 opened on Sunday, 13 November 2022, four of which are interchange stations.
- TE11DT10 Stevens
- TE12Â Napier
- TE13Â Orchard Boulevard
- TE14NS22Â Orchard
- TE15Â Great World
- TE16Â Havelock
- TE17EW16NE3 Outram Park
- TE18Â Maxwell
- TE19Â Shenton Way
- TE20NS27CE2Â Marina Bay
- TE22Â Gardens by the Bay
New Bus Models
At the Committee of Supply 2022, the Government announced that 1 in 2 public buses will be electric by 2030. This bold electrification target has set the stage for a rapid intake of electric buses in the next few years.
As the Land Transport Authority (LTA) prepares to rapidly electrify the public bus fleet, many electric demonstrator buses have been sighted in Singapore in preparation for revenue service trials with local public bus operators.
The only one to enter service this year was a BYD K9RC, registered SG4005Z.
Other bus models sighted in preparation for revenue service are:
Half of all public buses will be electric by 2030, which is about 3,000 buses.
In the private bus realm, local bus operator ComfortDelgro Bus rolled out electric buses to NUS and NTU campus shuttle bus routes, and to shuttle bus services on Sentosa island. These were Zhongtong N12 and BYD B12A03 electric buses.
Other electric buses launched include Woodlands Transport’s Yutong E11 buses, and ComfortDelGro’s Zhongtong LCK6129EV coach and LCK6750EVG minibus.
New & Withdrawn Bus Services
2022 saw the introduction of Bus Service 801, a new Feeder bus route in Yishun operated by Tower Transit. In addition, Short Trip Services 114A and 139A were introduced.
Withdrawn bus services were 74e, 151e, 131M, 139M and 971. Finally, after being suspended since 2020 due to COVID-19 measures in Singapore, Night and Leisure Bus Services were officially withdrawn in June 2022.
Reopening of Singapore-Malaysia Land Border
The land border between Singapore and Malaysia reopened on 1 April 2022, with cross-border public bus services resuming one month later. SBS Transit also fielded a new fleet of cross-border buses comprising Mercedes-Benz Citaro and MAN A22 buses.
At the same time, Vaccinated Travel Lane bus services were also withdrawn.
Causeway Link CW2 was also enhanced to 24-hour operation in August.
New & Extended bus packages
The LTA called for a tender for the Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages in November 2022, making Jurong West the sixth bus package launched for competitive tendering under the Bus Contracting Model.
In addition, SBS Transit was granted a two-year extension of the Seletar Bus Package until 2025. Go-Ahead Singapore was also awarded a three-year extension of the Loyang Bus Package until 2026.
New Bus Interchanges
In April 2022, Hougang Bus Park was opened, followed by Tampines North Bus Interchange in November 2022.
Fare Increase
The Public Transport Fare Review (FRE) 2022 saw an overall 2.9% increase in bus and train fares that came into effect on 26th December 2022. Adult card fares for buses and trains were increased by 4 – 5 cents.
In addition, the Travel Smart Journeys scheme was suspended in July. The scheme was used to incentivise commuters to travel on Bus Service 43e.
Announcement of CRL Phase 2
The Cross Island Line Phase 2 was formally announced in September 2022, confirming an alignment previously revealed in 2021. The 15-kilometre section comprises six stations, two of which are interchanges with existing lines.
- CR14 Turf City
- CR15DT6 King Albert Park
- CR16 Maju
- CR17EW23 Clementi
- CR18 West Coast
- CR19 Jurong Lake District
New Train Orders & Deliveries
2022 saw the delivery of Alstom Metropolis C851E trains for the Circle Line, Alstom Movia R151 trains for the North South and East West lines, and Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) trains for the Bukit Panjang LRT.
All 91 Kawasaki-CRRC T251 trains for the Thomson-East Coast Line were delivered to Singapore, marking the completion of their deliveries since 2018.
As for new trains, LTA awarded Mitsubishi a contract for 34 new light rail vehicles under Contract 810D. It also called a tender for Cross Island Line trains under Contract CR151.
Miscellaneous
Turning decommissioned buses into Resort rooms
In July, retired SBS Transit Scania K230UB buses were spotted in Keppel rather than being scrapped, raising intrigue about their eventual fate. In August, it emerged that these buses were being refurbished into accommodation rooms as part of The Bus Resort, an upcoming bus-themed resort development in Changi Village.
A&S takes delivery of Volvo B8L
Private Bus Operator A&S Transit launched its Volvo B8L double-deck bus in June. Dubbed the ‘People Mover Deluxe’, this Volvo B8L registered PD169L was a former demonstrator bus operated by SBS Transit as SG4003D.
Retired MRT Train featured in local TV Drama
A local TV drama Third Rail was filmed on a retired C151 train. The elaborate film set, built at Changi Exhibition Centre, included two train cars.
Chingay50 ad campaign
Full-body bus advertising made a comeback this year as part of the Chingay50 Bus Advertising Campaign. Twenty Chingay50 buses were wrapped with 14 different designs to resemble floats from past Chingay parades.
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If yes most probably for Airport supplement fleets.
I hoping that JW goes to GAS.I also hope that SBST doesn’t bag more than 60% of the packages.
I hope LTA considers electric bendies like Zhongtong N18 or BYD K11M in future.