Local private bus company A&S Transit operated night Bus Services between Friday, 27 January 2023 and Saturday, 24 June 2023. The six-month trial, which introduced two unidirectional bus routes, offered late-night commuters in Singapore more transportation options from the city to the heartlands.
The two Night Bus Services were:
- Night Bus Service NS-1 (City to Ang Mo Kio / Hougang / Sengkang / Punggol)
- Night Bus Service NS-2 (City to Yishun / Sembawang / Woodlands)
According to A&S Transit, its Night Bus Services were suspended until further notice ‘pending route enhancement’.
First announced on 18 Jan 2023, Night Bus Services by A&S Transit were created to fill a void left by the discontinuation of the NightRider and Nite Owl bus routes operated by public transport operators SMRT Buses and SBS Transit before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, only taxis & private-hire cars have been available to commuters who dwell in the city area past regular public transport operating hours.
Operating Details
A&S Transit operated the Night Bus Services on Fridays, Saturdays & Eves of Public Holidays. These unidirectional services would start in the City before heading to the heartlands, with five trips departing Shenton Way at 11:30 pm, 12:15 am, 1:00 am, 1:45 am, and 2:30 am. More bus trips may be scheduled on the eves of public holidays.
A&S Transit charged a flat fare of $4.50 regardless of the distance travelled, similar to that of NightRider services before their COVID-19 suspension. Payment can be tendered via EZ-Link card only (no NETS Flashpay). Passengers who pay by cash will be charged $5.00 and must provide the exact amount to the bus driver.
Both NS-1 and NS-2 services were served by MAN A22 diesel buses that the company acquired from SMRT in 2021. Each bus has a seating capacity of 43 passengers, with no standing passengers allowed.
End of Trial Suspension
Following the end of the night bus trial services in late June 2023, A&S Transit has decided to suspend these services ‘pending route enhancement until further notice’. The last night of operations was on Saturday, 24 June 2023.
Gallery:
Onboard:
Teaser photos (published 10 Jan 2023):
See Also:
- Transport Arrangements for the Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures | Land Transport Guru
- Withdrawal of Night and Leisure Bus Services | Land Transport Guru
Are these routes sanctioned by LTA itself? Or is A&S just using the template format?
A&S Transit are the ones to do it themselves. If LTA reintroduces Night Bus Services, they would most likely discontinue it unless if the demand is somehow high for them.
Will they deploy PD169L on these both services?
When will there be Night Rider Services connecting the eastern part of Singapore like Bedok, Pasir Ris & Tampines?
Don’t forget the western suburbs too.
I suspect, these are the first of the relaunched midnight bus routes, that will be operated by private operators.
Personally, I feel that this is the right thing to do (to let the private operators operate the night bus services), as it would free up the public resources for regular bus services. At the same time, private operation means can charge higher fares, which would be more justifiable to the demand and supply.
Therefore, I would expect the fares to be around 50% or 25% of a taxi ride during midnight, from the city to the town area. Which, would also be around $10-20, even at 25% to 50%.
wtf so expensive do $3 flat fare man
Calling it “NS-” makes it easily confused with the North South Line station codes though. Could have used a better acronym. Even using “N-” or the “6xx” series would be better.
6xx is used by city direct
NS is Night Service mah. So just get use to it lorhx.