The Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme, or BCEP for short, was launched on 30 July 2024 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
The BCEP will allocate an additional $900 million from 2024 to 2032, for the purchase of new buses, infrastructural improvements, and to fund operating cost of new bus services.
Initiatives under BCEP for Bus Services are:
- Improvement to bus services to address changing travel patterns
- Introduction of more peak-hour express bus services
- Speeding up the introduction of new bus services in new estates
- Introduction of “express feeder” bus services
The BCEP logo was first used for the City Direct 673 poster in September 2024 with the tagline “Connecting People, Improving Journeys”.
BCEP – Bus Services
Bus Service Improvements
Under the BCEP, bus services will be improved in response of changing travel patterns through measures such as:
- Adding more trips
- Adjusting routes
- Introduction of new bus services
An example cited by LTA is the upcoming extension of an existing bus service to connect residents in Toa Payoh East to Caldecott MRT Station by the end of 2024.
Peak-hour Express Bus Services
More peak-hour express bus services, such as City Direct Services, will be introduced under the BCEP to provide an alternative option for residents to complement busier MRT lines.
An example cited by LTA is an upcoming new City Direct Service in Punggol from around October 2024. This was later announced to be City Direct 673 commencing service on 14 October 2024.
New Bus Services in New Estates
Under the BCEP, early batches of residents who moved into new estates will be better served by the expedited introduction of new bus services in anticipation of growing demand.
An example cited by LTA is the aim of introducing a new bus service connecting residents in new and upcoming BTO developments in Yishun East to nearby Khatib MRT station by end September 2024. This was later announced to be Service 861 commencing service on 15 September 2024.
Express Feeder Bus Services
A new concept, “express feeder” bus services, will be launched under the BCEP to enhance connectivity for residents in estates with areas located farther away from major transport nodes and town centres. These services will take more direct routes with fewer intermediate stops compared to regular feeder bus services, reducing residents’ travel time for the first and last mile of their journeys from major transport nodes.
An example cited by LTA is an upcoming bus service in Tampines North, which will provide a more direct connection for residents in Tampines North to Tampines MRT station in December 2024. This was later announced to be Express Feeder 298X commencing service on 9 December 2024.
Rollout
| S/N | Date | Bus Service | Category |
| 1 | 15 Sep 2024 | Bus Service 861 | New Bus Services in New Estates (Yishun East) |
| – | Short Trip Service 861A | ||
| 2 | 14 Oct 2024 | City Direct 673 | Peak-hour Express Bus Services |
| 3 | 11 Nov 2024 | City Direct 654 | Peak-hour Express Bus Services enhancement (Route extension to Anchorvale Crescent) |
| 4 | City Direct 660M | Peak-hour Express Bus Services | |
| 5 | City Direct 671 | Peak-hour Express Bus Services enhancement (Route extension to Bayfront & Suntec City) | |
| 6 | City Direct 672 | Peak-hour Express Bus Services enhancement (Route extension to Bayfront & Suntec City) | |
| 7 | 25 Nov 2024 | City Direct 666 | Peak-hour Express Bus Services enhancement (Route extension to Bayfront & Suntec City) |
| 8 | City Direct 674 | Peak-hour Express Bus Services | |
| 9 | 9 Dec 2024 | Express Feeder 298X | Express Feeder Bus Services |
LTA actually smart leh! Instead of introducing multiple services (for example, I thought that the full Ave 6 portion will be served by an extended 883M. Now doesn’t seem right), LTA introduce one service to solve many connectivity issues!
And not a feeder after all! Guess I shouldn’t hv assumed too much.
Please introduce a service from Punggol to JB dental or Larkin terminal. It would benefit Punggol residents a lots.
So, BCEP called for a new Feeder Service to serve Yishun East with connections to Khatib MRT. I’m presuming Yishun East refers to the new BTO around Yishun St 42, Ave 1 & Ave 8. I had suggested a new feeder in the “Yishun ITH” page called Feeder 802 (808 at first). Completely changing the route to serve Khatib MRT:
Tower Transit Feeder 802:
Yishun ITH -> Yishun Ave 2 -> Yishun Ave 3 -> Sembawang Rd -> Yishun Ave 1 (no stops) -> Yishun Ave 2 (Khatib MRT) -> Yishun Ring Road -> Yishun Ave 4 -> Yishun Ave 1 -> Yishun Ave 6 -> Yishun St 42 -> Loop Back to Ave 6
This route allows for a future amendment to Chencharu ITH, while allowing the quickest route to Yishun East/Simpang.
I had also noticed an “On Test” Tower Transit Bus turning right from Yishun Ave 2 Khatib MRT to Yishun Ring Road on 2 Aug, which coincidentally matches this suggested route.
(I wish I got real info on the route)
If the objective is to serve as a link between St 42 and Khatib MRT, why not just head straight down Ave 2 and call at the Opp Khatib Stn stop then go up Ave 1 (i.e. duplicate 117)?
Surely the residents along Ave 1 will also welcome this too.
Also, do you prefer to to turn into St 42 at the Xcl school junction or at the next one?
That’s true, but my suggestion was for benefit of Yishun Ring Road residents who are disadvantaged. Bus 807 & 811 are completely filled at Yishun Park & Yishun Ave 4 respectively, leaving Ring Rd residents no choice but walk to MRT. Meanwhile 117 is barely 3/4 full during peak hours.
Although, I like the idea for Yishun Ave 1 residents. If I were LTA I would implement your idea over mine Oo
As for the turning, I’d say the XCL junction, its faster.
I guess Feeder 802 might go to Seletar as Seletar is a new-term Tendered Package.