On-Demand Public Bus (ODPB) services in the Joo Koon area were offered between 17 December 2018 and 14 June 2019 inclusive, during off-peak hours on weekdays (except public holidays). Buses operated with the service number JK-x, where x is a single or two-digit number. Service numbers spotted were from JK-1 to JK-13.
The trial for the Joo Koon area covers Joo Koon MRT Station / Bus Interchange and the Benoi Sector, Gul Circle, Benoi Road & Pioneer Sector areas, serving bus stops presently served by Bus Services 253, 255 and 257.
This bus service was reflected as Service 340 on the Bus Ticketing System.
| Technical Information | |
| Catchment Area | Joo Koon / Benoi / Gul / Pioneer Sector |
| Operator Information | |
| Current Operator | SBS Transit Ltd |
| Current Depot |
Soon Lee Bus Depot (SLBP) |
| Current Fleet | 12-metre Double Deck Buses – Volvo B9TL |
| Operating Hours |
1100hrs – 1500hrs & 2030hrs – 2330hrs (Weekdays, except Public Holidays) |
| Frequency | On-demand during Operating Hours |
| Fare | Flat fare equivalent to journeys under 3.2km. Distance-based fare rules and concession rates apply. |
| Booking App | BusGo (Android/iOS) |
As part of the On-Demand Public Bus trial, Service JK-x serves the Jurong Industrial area near Joo Koon, Benoi, Gul and Pioneer Sector as well as Joo Koon Bus Interchange during the weekday off-peak hours, namely 1100hrs – 1500hrs & 2030hrs – 2330hrs. Buses dispatched follow a flexible route, depending on demand, as directed by the BusGo mobile application developed by Via Transportation.
Bus Stops served by the On-Demand Public Bus Service for the Joo Koon area are also served by SBS Transit Bus Services 253, 255 or 257. As such, these regular bus services will operate at a reduced frequency of 30 minutes during ODPB trial hours.
Booking a Ride
Commuters who wish to book a trip on the on-demand bus must first download the BusGo app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
During the booking, commuters are required to indicate:
- Boarding Stop (within trial area)
- Alighting Stop (within trial area)
- Number of Passengers (1 to 5)
- If any passengers are wheelchair-bound
With a successful booking, the Bus Registration Number, Unique Bus Service Number (JK-1, JK-2, JK-3, and so on to JK-13) and Boarding Code will be relayed to the commuter via the app.
Upon boarding, commuters are required to flash their unique boarding number to the Bus Captain through the BusGo app. They will then need to pay their fare (via contactless card or cash) no differently from other bus services. Additional commuters not accounted for in the booking may be denied boarding by the Bus Captain.
Commuters may be banned from the On-Demand Public Bus trial for 48 hours if he or she cancels or does not show up for a confirmed booking, for up to 3 times within 24 hours. The duration of the ban is at the discretion of the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Bus Stops Served
The following bus stops may be used as a boarding or alighting point for the On-Demand Public Bus (Joo Koon Area) service.
Joo Koon Bus Interchange & its vicinity
List of Bus Stops (Click to expand)Service 253: Benoi Sector / Pioneer Road / Benoi Road
List of Bus Stops (Click to expand)Service 255: Gul Circle / Gul Crescent / Gul Avenue / Gul Way
List of Bus Stops (Click to expand)Service 257: Benoi Road / Pioneer Road / Gul Road / Pioneer Sector Lane / Pioneer Sectors 1, 2 & 3
List of Bus Stops (Click to expand)
Other Bus Stops along Pioneer Road
List of Bus Stops (Click to expand)Fare
During the ODPB Trial, a promotional flat distance fare for 3.2km regardless of distance travelled applies for all passengers. Distance-fare transfer rules apply and concessionary fare travel is allowed.
- Adult Card: $0.83
Adult Cash: $1.50
Senior Citizen / Persons with Disabilities Card: $0.55
Senior Citizen / Persons With Disabilities Cash: $1.00
Student Card: $0.38
Student Cash: $0.65
Workfare Transport Concession Scheme Card: $0.64
Workfare Transport Concession Scheme Cash: $1.50
ODPB Infrastructure:
The On-Demand Public Bus (Joo Koon Area) trial uses Volvo B9TL buses only. Each ODPB bus is fitted with a charging cable (in white) to charge the iPad tablet device on the go. A power bank (mounted just under the turquoise NOBE unit) is used as a backup power supply.
The iPad, which runs the BusGo driver app, provides Bus Captains with travel directions and bus stop locations.
Gallery (Buses):
Operator History:
- 17 December 2018 – 14 June 2019: SBS Transit Ltd
This bus service was part of the On-Demand Public Bus Service trial.
References:
- Six-Month Trial for On-Demand Public Buses to Start on 17 December 2018 – LTA
- Coming soon: Buses on demand in Marina-Downtown, Joo Koon, and from CBD to the east – Today Online
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