On Saturday, 27 June 2026, the TTS10 Open House Carnival was held at Bulim Bus Depot, celebrating Tower Transit Singapore’s 10th anniversary in Singapore. The company started operations back in 2016 with the launch of the Bus Contracting Model, and was Singapore’s first new public bus operator in more than three decades.
The event served as both a family carnival and an industry showcase, drawing attendance from transport enthusiasts and members of the public. It was also held as a throwback to the ‘Bulim Carnival Day’, the first open house at the depot back in December 2015, bringing visitors back to where the journey began.
The event tagline—10 years of TENacity—celebrates the efforts of its staff over the past decade, who have worked tirelessly to keep Singapore moving.
Opening Ceremony
The event was attended by Guest of Honour Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport, as well as representatives from LTA, NTWU, and other PTOs. The opening speeches concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony.
In his speech, Mr Siow reflected on Tower Transit’s role as the first successful entrant under Singapore’s Bus Contracting Model, highlighting its growth from operating one package at Bulim to operating nearly 70 services today from two depots, with more than 800 buses and some 1,800 staff—referencing its Sembawang–Yishun Bus Package and Sentosa Bus operations.
He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving Bus Captain salaries, working conditions, and recruitment as Singapore continues expanding its bus network.
Tower Transit also unveiled new uniforms for its workforce, prioritising sustainability, comfort, and the integration of high-visibility reflective materials for Bus Captains. These uniforms are planned to be rolled out by Q4 2026.
Throughout the day, the central stage hosted a programme of performances and family entertainment. One featured performance was a preview of Wheels on the Bus – The Musical, which is presented by Tower Transit Singapore and Freddo Children’s Theatre.
Event Grounds
Food and beverage stalls were available, complemented by an Old Chang Kee snack truck, carnival game booths and a mini bouncy castle for younger visitors.
Among the most popular attractions was the Bus Driving Simulator, where visitors could step into the driver’s seat and experience the challenges faced by Bus Captains. The simulator featured a pre-programmed route incorporating realistic traffic scenarios, including pedestrians and cyclists unexpectedly entering the road, as well as lane closures and other hazards that required quick reactions and defensive driving skills.
A merchandise booth from Tap Space offered a selection of transport-themed collectables.
Static Display Buses
Three buses were featured as static displays during the carnival:
1. Wedding Bus
Tower Transit unveiled Singapore’s first Wedding Bus at the carnival, based on a Yutong E12 electric bus (SG3092C). Designed in collaboration with wedding venue designer Med Kärlek Inc., the concept transforms a city bus into a unique mobile wedding venue.
The exterior features a full-body bridal-themed livery, while the interior is decorated with florals, ribbons and a carpet running the full length of the passenger aisle. The bus has also been fitted with a collapsible ceremony table, television and karaoke system, and a dedicated photo booth area for photography.
Tower Transit announced that the Wedding Bus will be made available for private charter from a later date, with further details expected in Q3 2026. Visitors could also register their interest via an online form.
A highlight of the launch was a live marriage proposal by disability inclusion advocate Alister Ong to his girlfriend, Jasmine. Tower Transit announced that it would sponsor the couple’s wedding ceremony aboard the Wedding Bus.
A more detailed look at the Wedding Bus will be covered in a separate article.
2. Safety Bus
A Yutong E12DD electric bus (SG7005D) was displayed as a Safety Bus, wrapped with graphics illustrating the vehicle’s blind spots.
Visitors were invited on board to learn about blind spot awareness and other safety features from Tower Transit’s Safety Champions, such as:
- Forward/side collision warning system
- Anti-Fatigue system
- Start inhibitors linked to employee badges
3. 10th Anniversary Bus
This Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus (SG1001D) carries historic value to Tower Transit Singapore, being the first bus to deploy from Bulim Bus Depot on 29 May 2016—the company’s first day of revenue service operations under the Bus Contracting Model.
Tower Transit recreated the original promotional livery carried by the bus a decade earlier, paying tribute to the company’s inaugural operations and ten years of serving commuters.
Bus Wash & Depot Tour
At the carnival, visitors could also experience riding a bus through the depot’s automated bus wash. This was followed by a drive around the depot, offering views of the maintenance workshops, bus park, and refuelling bays, which support the day-to-day running of Tower Transit’s fleet.
Four BYD BC12A04 electric buses were seen deployed for the bus wash experience, catering for a steady flow of visitors while showcasing one of the operator’s newer zero-emission buses.
Shuttle Services
Tower Transit operated complimentary two-way shuttle bus services throughout the day between Bulim Bus Depot and Jurong Town Hall, Bukit Batok and Tengah Bus Interchanges, at an average frequency of 15 minutes.
Summary
The TTS10 Open House Carnival celebrated Tower Transit Singapore’s first decade of operations. Alongside the unveiling of several new community and workforce initiatives, members of the public were given the rare opportunity to step inside Bulim Bus Depot, and gain a deeper appreciation of both the operational and human aspects of running a modern bus network.
Beyond its family-friendly carnival atmosphere, the event also highlighted how Tower Transit has evolved since commencing operations in 2016. As the first new public bus operator to enter Singapore in more than three decades, the company has helped shape the country’s modern public transport landscape through its people-first culture, industry-leading staff welfare and inclusivity initiatives, and continual investment in operational safety and innovation.
External Links & References
- Opening Remarks by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow at Tower Transit Singapore’s 10th Anniversary Carnival – Ministry of Transport [Accessed 28 Jun 2026]
- Tower Transit Singapore celebrates its 10th anniversary with the launch of Singapore’s first Wedding Bus, new uniforms, and local workforce initiatives – Press Release by Tower Transit Singapore
