Jurong West Bus Package

The Jurong West Bus Package is one of fourteen bus packages under Singapore’s Bus Contracting Model (BCM). Operating out of Soon Lee Bus Depot, the package comprises 26 bus routes in the Western region of Singapore, mainly around Boon Lay, Joo Koon, and Tuas.

Jurong West Bus Package is currently operated by SMRT Buses from 1 September 2024.

Route Package Structure

Under the BCM, bus routes are grouped into bus packages, each comprising one bus depot, approximately 20-30 bus routes, several bus interchanges/terminals, and the buses required to operate these routes. All bus infrastructure is owned by the Government, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) oversees the contracting of these bus packages. The process involves selecting a bus operator through a competitive tendering process and leasing these assets to the successful operator.

The chosen operator is responsible for operating the designated bus routes, collecting fares on behalf of LTA, and maintaining the associated bus infrastructure, including buses, onboard equipment, depots, interchanges, and terminals. In return, the operator receives an operating fee from LTA and may also qualify for bonuses through an incentive framework.

PT218B – Jurong West Bus Package (1st Tendered Term: Sep 2024 to 2029):

The first tendered package term for the Jurong West Bus Package was put up for tender on 23 November 2022 together with the Bukit Merah Bus Package under Contract PT218: Bus Contracting – Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages.

Jurong West Bus Package was awarded to SMRT Buses Ltd on 18 August 2023.

This is the first tendered contract term for the Jurong West package, which had previously been operated by SBS Transit on a negotiated contract basis since the start of the BCM in September 2016.

Contract Details (1st Tendered Package Term):

Bidding Procedure:

Contract PT218 involved the combined tender of both Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages. Tenderers had the option to bid for either bus package (Bukit Merah / Jurong West) or both packages.

Bids were submitted by six operators as follows:

Contract Award:

On 18 August 2023, LTA awarded the Jurong West Bus Package to SMRT Buses. Tender submissions were evaluated based on a two-envelope process which looked at both quality and price factors. The price submissions were only opened after the quality evaluation was completed, ensuring that the best value-for-money proposal was selected without compromising on quality.

The LTA press release cited the reasons for picking SMRT Buses for the Jurong West Bus Package:

Bus Services:

Notes:
Bus Services 243G & 243W are counted as 1 Service (243).

Short Trip & Supplementary Bus Services

These services do not add to the overall service count.

Transition Dates:

Transitioning of Buses

In March 2024, 10 Scania K230UB buses were transferred from SBS Transit to SMRT Buses to facilitate training and familiarisation of Bus Captains and Technicians in the lead up to the operations of Jurong West Bus Package by SMRT Buses in September 2024.

See Also: SMRT Buses – Transitioning to Jurong West Bus Package

Bus Fleet

Under the Jurong West Bus Package, SMRT Buses operates the following bus models:

Single-deck buses

• MAN A22
• Mercedes-Benz Citaro
• Scania K230UB

Double-deck buses

• Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3 Door)
• MAN A95
• MAN A95 (3-Door)
• Volvo B9TL

Transition of impacted workers

Affected SBST employees from the Jurong West bus package will be protected by the Guidelines on Good Employment Practices in the Public Bus Industry and must be offered a job by SMRT, the incoming operator, at employment terms that are no worse off compared to current employment terms.

Scope of Operations:

As part of the tender, the awarded operator would be required to fulfill responsibilities as such:

1. Operate bus services under the bus package in accordance with specified EWT performance standards
2. Operate and maintain the buses and their onboard equipment provided by LTA
3. Operate and maintain the allocated Anchor Bus Interchanges & Bus Depot, including all equipment and systems provided therein
4. Charge and collect the fares approved by the Public Transport Council, on behalf of the Government
5. Provide bus service information at all bus stops and bus interchanges served by the bus services under the package
6. Provide customer management services, such as lost and found service, and a hotline for commuter feedback and enquiries.

Jurong West Bus Package – First Tendered Package Term (PT218B) Timeline

• 2023 (18 Aug): Contract awarded to SMRT Buses Ltd
• 2024 (01 Sep): Commencement of tendered package term for Jurong West Bus Package; handover of 15 Boon Lay bus services to SMRT Buses from SBS Transit
• 2024 (15 Sep): Handover of 11 Joo Koon / Tuas / Soon Lee Bus Depot bus services to SMRT Buses from SBS Transit

See Also

• Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages put up for tender
• SBS Transit and SMRT Buses awarded Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages

References:

• LTA Awards Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages to SBS Transit and SMRT Buses – Land Transport Authority
• SMRT awarded Jurong West Bus Package, to operate 26 routes in the area from Sep 2024 – SMRT Corporation

Back to Bus Contracting Model

Page 2 – Jurong West Bus Package Negotiated Contract (2016 – 2024)