The Loyang Bus Package is one of fourteen bus packages under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM).
| Incumbent | Go-Ahead Singapore |
| Present Contract Term | Tendered Package 1st Term (Contract PT201): Sep 2016 – Sep 2026 (2 year contract extension option exercised + 3 year contract extension granted) |
| Bus Services | 2, 3, 6, 12, 12e, 15, 17/17A, 34, 36, 43/43M, 43e, 62, 68, 82, 83, 84G/84W, 85, 118, 119, 136, 354, 358, 359, 381, 382G/382W, 384, 386, 403, 518/518A, 661, 666 & 673 (32 bus routes) |
| Bus Depot | Loyang Bus Depot |
| Bus Interchanges | Pasir Ris Bus Interchange, Punggol Temporary Bus Interchange |
Under the BCM, bus routes are bundled into bus packages, consisting of a single bus depot, several bus interchanges/terminals, the bus routes and the buses themselves. With all bus infrastructure belonging to the Government, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would contract out the bus package, select a bus operator (through a competitive tendering process), and lease these assets to the new operator.
The successful tenderer operates these bus routes and collects fares on behalf of LTA, while maintaining the associated bus infrastructure (buses & onboard equipment, depots, interchanges & terminals). In return, the operator is awarded an operating fee from LTA and potential bonuses via an incentive framework.
Go-Ahead Singapore is presently the incumbent operator of the Loyang Bus Package and will remain so until at least 2026.
PT201 – Loyang Bus Package (Present Term: 2016 to 2026):
First announced on 11 March 2015, the Loyang Bus Package is the second set of public bus services to be put up for tender under the Bus Contracting Model, following the Bulim Bus Package. This package (when tendered out) comprised of 25 bus services originating from Changi Airport Bus Terminal, Changi Village Bus Terminal, Pasir Ris Bus Interchange, and Punggol Bus Interchange.
In November 2015, the Go-Ahead Group was announced as the successful tenderer of the Loyang Bus Package, who would receive an estimated total fee of $497.7 million over five years. The 25 bus routes would be based out of the then-newly-built Loyang Bus Depot, located off Loyang Way, which was completed in June 2015 and able to accommodate about 500 buses. Go-Ahead Singapore gradually took over all bus routes in two tranches: on 4 September 2016 and 18 September 2016.
The package started with about 400 buses when implemented, and is expected to grow to about 500 buses in 2021 in tandem with new developments and projected growth in ridership.
Go-Ahead Singapore was awarded 2 contract extensions by the LTA.
- 2 year contract extension to 2023 announced on 26 August 2020
- A further 3 year contract extension to 2026 first mentioned in September 2022
Contract Details:
| Contract PT201: Bus Contracting – Loyang Bus Package | |
| Awarded Operator | Go-Ahead Singapore (Go Ahead Singapore Pte Ltd; formerly known as Go Ahead Loyang Pte Ltd) |
| Duration | Five years; 2-year extension option exercised 3-year extension awarded in September 2022 |
| Key Dates | Tender Published 15 Apr 2015 Closed 14 Aug 2015 Awarded 23 Nov 2015 Contract Extension announced on 26 Aug 2020 Second Contract Extension mentioned in September 2022 |
| Commenced Operations | 04 Sep 2016 (Tranche 1) – 13 bus routes 18 Sep 2016 (Tranche 2) – 11 bus routes 12 Mar 2017 – Service 381 28 Jan 2018 – Service 12e 01 Apr 2018 – Service 68 02 Jan 2019 – City Direct 661 09 Sep 2019 – Service 43e 02 Mar 2020 – City Direct 666 27 Dec 2020 – Service 384 14 Oct 2024 – City Direct 673 |
| Bus Services | 2, 3, 6, 12, 12e, 15, 17/17A, 34, 36, 43/43M, 43e, 62, 68, 82, 83, 84G/84W, 85, 118, 119, 136, 354, 358, 359, 381, 382G/382W, 384, 386, 403, 518/518A, 661, 666 & 673 (32 bus routes) |
| Anchor Bus Depot | Loyang Bus Depot |
| Anchor Bus Interchange / Terminal | Pasir Ris Bus Interchange, Punggol Temporary Bus Interchange |
Bidding Process:
When the tender closed on 14 Aug 2015, 10 transport operators had submitted their various bids. These operators were:
| Name of Tenderer | Base Tender Amount (Price for 5-Years) |
| The Go Ahead Group Plc | $497,738,104.00 |
| Woodlands Transport Holdings Pte. Ltd. | $532,483,542.00 |
| Keolis SA | $535,237,280.00 |
| SBS Transit Ltd | $545,902,389.00 |
| Tian San Shipping (Private) Limited / Kumho Construction & Engineering (H.K.) Limited Consortium | $569,887,777.37 |
| SMRT Buses Ltd | $598,130,218.00 |
| RATP Dev Transdev Asia | $603,718,025.62 |
| Busways Group Pty Ltd | $631,382,714.00 |
| Jiaoyun Group Corporation and Travel GSH Pte Ltd Consortium | Not Shortlisted |
| Kok Tong Transport & Engineering Works Pte Ltd and Jinan Public Transportation Corporation Consoritum | Not Shortlisted |
Among the tender requirements was one that required operators to have a proven track record of operating a fleet of at least 250 buses. Such a requirement would result in joint bids.
As of 12 October 2015, LTA shortlisted 8 bids for this tender. Joint Bids from Jiaoyun Group Corporation with Travel GSH, as well as Kok Tong Transport & Engineering Works with Jinan Public Transportation Corporation were dropped out in the running for this tender.
Contract Award:
On Monday, 23 November 2015, LTA announced The Go-Ahead Group Plc as the winner of the Loyang Bus Package. The evaluation was conducted through a two-envelope process which included quality and price factors, with greater weightage given to the quality proposals submitted by tenderers. The LTA press release sums it well:
Go-Ahead is awarded the contract as it has the highest combined total score for both quality and price evaluation. In its tender submission, Go-Ahead demonstrated a thorough understanding of ground conditions and strong ability in developing strategies to manage specific scenarios for each bus route. The company also displayed strong competence in bus service scheduling to enable the optimal deployment of buses and resources. At the same time, Go-Ahead also emphasised in its proposal a stringent maintenance regime for bus assets and infrastructure. A robust bus-to-technician ratio and strict quality control processes will also be put in place to ensure high maintenance standards. In terms of manpower development, Go-Ahead has comprehensive plans to attract and retain bus captains, with a strong focus on growing the local workforce, training and developing employees, as well as offering career progression opportunities to all levels of staff.
Contract Extensions:
A 2 year contract extension from 2021 to 2023 was officially announced by Go-Ahead Group on 26 August 2020. This extension was an option as part of the awarded tendered package contract in 2015.
In April 2022, half year results for the six months ended 1 January 2022 were released by The Go-Ahead Group plc. The report mentioned “Positive discussions with LTA about contract extension” for its Singapore business unit. Later in September 2022, the contract extension of 3 years was confirmed to have been granted by the LTA in a LinkedIn post by Louis Rambaud, Group Strategy & Transformation Director, Member of the Executive Committee of The Go-Ahead Group plc. The post included the statement of “✔️ Great momentum to celebrate the 3-year contract extension until 2026”.
Bus Services
Loyang Bus Package consists of a total of 32 bus services, 24 of which were previously operated by SBS Transit. The other bus services were added in the bus package during the contract term.
| Service | Route | Type |
| 2 | Changi Village ↔ Kampong Bahru | Trunk |
| 3 | Tampines ↔ Punggol | Trunk |
| 6 |
Pasir Ris ↺ Loyang Crescent | Trunk |
| 12 |
Pasir Ris ↔ Kampong Bahru | Trunk |
| 12e | Pasir Ris ↔ Kampong Bahru | Express |
| 15 | Pasir Ris ↺ Marine Parade Road | Trunk |
| 17 | Pasir Ris ↔ Bedok | Trunk |
| 34 | Punggol ↺ Changi Airport Terminal 2 | Trunk |
| 36 | Changi Airport Terminal 2 ↺ Tomlinson Road | Trunk |
| 43 | Punggol ↔ Upper East Coast | Trunk |
| 43e | Punggol ⇄ Marine Parade Road | Express |
| 62 | Punggol ↺ Sims Avenue | Trunk |
| 68 | Pasir Ris ↺ Tampines | Trunk |
| 82 | Punggol ↺ Serangoon Central | Trunk |
| 83 | Punggol ↺ Sengkang | Trunk |
| 84G | Punggol ↺ New Punggol Road | Trunk |
| 84W | Punggol ↺ New Punggol Road | Trunk |
| 85 | Punggol ↔ Yishun | Trunk |
| 118 | Punggol ↔ Changi Business Park | Trunk |
| 119 | Punggol ↺ Hougang Street 21 | Trunk |
| 136 | Ang Mo Kio ↔ Punggol | Trunk |
| 354 | Pasir Ris ↺ Jalan Loyang Besar | Feeder |
| 358 | Pasir Ris ↺ Pasir Ris Drive 10 & Pasir Ris Street 41 | Feeder |
| 359 | Pasir Ris ↺ Pasir Ris Street 71 & Pasir Ris Drive 2 | Feeder |
| 381 | Punggol ↺ Punggol East | Feeder |
| 382G | Punggol ↺ Sumang Walk | Feeder |
| 382W | Punggol ↺ Sumang Walk | Feeder |
| 384 |
Punggol ↺ Northshore Drive | Feeder |
| 386 | Punggol ↺ Punggol Central | Feeder |
| 403 | Pasir Ris ↺ Pasir Ris Road | Trunk |
| 518 | Pasir Ris ↺ Bayfront Avenue | Express |
| 661 |
Pasir Ris Drive 3 ⇄ Marina Boulevard / Central Boulevard | City Direct |
| 666 |
Punggol Drive ⇄ Marina Boulevard / Central Boulevard | City Direct |
| 673 |
Punggol Way ⇄ Temasek Boulevard | City Direct |
Notes:
- Feeder Services 382G & 382W are counted as one service (382).
- Services 84G & 84W are counted as one service (84).
Short Trip & Supplementary Bus Services
These services do not add to the overall service count.
| Service | Route | Type |
| 2B | Changi Village → New Upper Changi Road (Bedok Stn Exit A) | Short Trip |
| 3A |
Tampines → Pasir Ris Drive 12 (Blk 747A) | Short Trip |
| 15A | Pasir Ris → Jalan Eunos (Opp Eunos Stn) | Short Trip |
| 17A | Bedok → Bedok North Avenue 4 (SBST Bedok Nth Depot) | Short Trip |
| 34A | Punggol → Tampines Avenue 5 (Opp Our Tampines Hub) | Short Trip |
| 34B | Tampines Avenue 10 (IKEA Tampines/Aft TPE) → Tampines Avenue 10 (Tampines Wafer Fab Pk) via Changi Airport | Short Trip |
| 36A | Changi Airport Terminal 2 → Tomlinson Road (Aft Cuscaden Rd) | Short Trip |
| 36B | Marine Parade Road (Lagoon View) → Siglap Road (Bef Seaside Residences) | Short Trip |
| 36T | Changi Airport Terminal 2 ↺ Tomlinson Road | Terminating Trip |
| 43M | Punggol ↺ Serangoon Central | Supplementary |
| 62A | Punggol → Aljunied Road (Aljunied Stn) | Short Trip |
| 68A |
Tampines Avenue 11 (Opp Reebonz Bldg) → Tampines | Short Trip |
| 68B |
Tampines → Tampines Avenue 11 (Reebonz Bldg) | Short Trip |
| 83T | Punggol → Sengkang | Terminating Trip |
| 84A |
Punggol → New Punggol Road (Punggol Coast Stn) | Short Trip |
| 85A |
Yishun → Sengkang East Road (Sengkang Community Hub) | Short Trip |
| 118A | Punggol → Simei Avenue (ITE Coll East Adm Blk) | Short Trip |
| 118B | Simei Avenue (Opp ITE Coll East Adm Blk) → Tampines Expressway (Bef Punggol Rd) | Short Trip |
| 358T | Pasir Ris ↺ Pasir Ris Drive 10 & Pasir Ris Street 41 | Terminating Trip |
| 359T | Pasir Ris ↺ Pasir Ris Street 71 & Pasir Ris Drive 2 | Terminating Trip |
| 382A | Punggol → Sumang Lane (Blk 226A) | Short Trip |
| 386A | Punggol → Edgedale Plains (Blk 682A) | Short Trip |
| 518A | Pasir Ris → Bayfront Avenue (Bayfront Stn Exit A) | Short Trip |
Bus Models
Go-Ahead Singapore operates a fleet of the following bus models under the Loyang Bus Package (PT201):
They initially announced that they would have 363 buses in their fleet during the Loyang Bus Carnival.
Single Deck Buses
Double Decker Buses
Former Trial Buses
Transition Dates:
To ensure a smooth transition with minimal inconvenience to commuters, the Loyang package under the Bus Contracting model was implemented in two tranches in September 2016. Spaced two weeks apart, the two tranches would hand Go-Ahead Singapore progressive control over Punggol, followed by Pasir Ris.
The implementation dates of the two tranches are as follows:
| Tranche | Implementation Date | Bus Services | No. of Routes |
| 1 | 04 Sep 2016 | 3, 34, 43/43M, 62, 82, 83, 84, 85, 118, 119, 136, 382G/382W, 386 | 13 |
| 2 | 18 Sep 2016 | 2, 6, 12, 15, 17/17A, 36, 354, 358, 359, 403, 518/518A | 11 |
| – | 12 Mar 2017 | 381 | 1 |
| – | 28 Jan 2018 | 12e | 1 |
| – | 01 Apr 2018 | 68 | 1 |
| – | 02 Jan 2019 | 661 | 1 |
| – | 09 Sep 2019 | 43e | 1 |
| – | 02 Mar 2020 | 666 | 1 |
| – | 27 Dec 2020 | 384 | 1 |
| – | 14 Oct 2024 | 673 | 1 |
Scope of Operations:
As part of the tender, the awarded operator would be required to fulfill responsibilities as such:
- Operate bus services under the bus package in accordance with specified EWT performance standards
- Operate and maintain the buses and their onboard equipment provided by LTA
- Operate and maintain the allocated Anchor Bus Interchanges & Bus Depot, including all equipment and systems provided therein
- Charge and collect the fares approved by the Public Transport Council, on behalf of the Government
- Provide bus service information at all bus stops and bus interchanges served by the bus services under the package
- Provide customer management services, such as lost and found service, and a hotline for commuter feedback and enquiries.
Loyang Bus Package (PT201) Timeline
- 2015 (11 Mar): Loyang Route Package announced
- 2015 (15 Apr): Tender opens, closing on 14 Aug 2015 1200hrs.
- 2015 (14 Aug): Tender closes with 10 bids
- 2015 (12 Oct): 8 Bids shortlisted
- 2015 (23 Nov): Contract awarded to The Go Ahead Group Plc
- 2015 (11 Dec): Loyang Bus Depot officially handed over to Go-Ahead Singapore
- 2016 (04 Sep): First tranche of operations rollout
- 2016 (18 Sep): Second tranche of operations rollout
- 2017 (12 Mar): Bus Service 381 added to Bus Package
- 2018 (28 Jan): Bus Service 12e added to Bus Package
- 2018 (12 Mar): Short Trip Service 2A added to Bus Package
- 2018 (01 Apr): Commencement of Bus Service 68
- 2018 (29 Oct): Short Trip Bus Service 386A added to Bus Package
- 2019 (02 Jan): City Direct 661 added to Bus Package
- 2019 (25 Mar): Short Trip Bus Services 34B & 85A added to Bus Package
- 2019 (01 Jul): Short Trip Bus Service 382A added to Bus Package
- 2019 (09 Sep): Express Bus Service 43e added to Bus Package
- 2019 (18 Nov): Short Trip Bus Services 68A & 68B added to Bus Package
- 2020 (02 Mar): City Direct 666 added to Bus Package
- 2020 (08 Apr): Bus Services 661, 666, 518 & 518A temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
- 2020 (15 Apr): Bus Services 12e & 43e temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
- 2020 (02 Jun): Resumption of Bus Services 12e, 43, 518, 518A, 661 & 666
- 2020 (12 Jul): Bus Service 359 (East Loop) amended to loop at Pasir Ris Drive 2
- 2020 (26 Aug): 2 year contract extension granted to Go-Ahead Singapore till September 2023
- 2020 (27 Dec): Bus Service 384 added to Bus Package
- 2021 (15 Sep): Bus Services 12e, 43e, 518, 518A, 661 & 666 temporarily suspended due to the impact of COVID-19 on available manpower
- 2021 (25 Sep): Resumption of Bus Services 518 & 518A
- 2022 (03 Feb): Resumption of City Direct 661 & 666
- 2022 (Sep): 3 year contract extension granted to Go-Ahead Singapore till September 2026
- 2023 (25 Sep): Short Trip Service 2B added, while Service 2A removed from the bus package
- 2024 (23 Jun): Amendment of Service 84 to be divided into Services 84G & 84W
- 2024 (16 Aug): Short Trip Service 84A added
- 2024 (14 Oct): City Direct 673 added
Related Posts:
- Loyang Bus Package Commencement Dates Announced
- Go Ahead prepares for launch day
- Go Ahead Singapore Bus Carnival
External Links & References:
- LTA – Second Bus Package Under The Government Contracting Model
- Singapore bus contract extension – Go-Ahead Group
- LinkedIn Post by Louis Rambaud, Group Strategy & Transformation Director, Go-Ahead Group PLC
Back to Bus Contracting Model
There has been criticism from some people regarding Go Ahead not submitting tender for the Seletar package.
Actually, I believe it is because Go Ahead only want to focus on the immediate packages around their current Loyang package.
When the LTA award tender, they would go through the service envelope first, and then take the lowest cost among the shortlisted tender submissions.
I am confident that Go Ahead will stay on at Loyang, and potentially get at least one more in the surrounding area. Sengkang-Hougang, Tampines, Eunos-Serangoon looks ready with new depot ready for BCM transition. Go Ahead may potentially take at least one of those packages in the future, and potentially reap economies of scale with its operations at Loyang package. Any one of those three packages can help it reap economies of scale due to reduced mileage (dual depot control), bulk purchase of materials, etc.
Congratulations Go-Ahead Singapore on the extension till 2026.Although I didn’t like most of the local management but i still prefer the UK style of trainings and driving skills of the European trainers.I do hope that LTA will somehow award Choa Chu Kang contract to GA.
Seriously i hope some European operator will replace GAS in 2021..TTS should stay for a few years since they care about their staff welfare overall..
Too bad, Go-Ahead had extended for two more years due to strong performance.
Depends if they can win Sengkang or wait till 2023 for Seletar or CCK..Else bye2 and it’s very hard to sustain and maintain 1 package only.You need at least 2 packages to run long term in the BCM.
Think it’s very likely GAS will stay for the time being. Their performance is high standard, record is almost clean (MOST accidents were aided by external factors).
Dyk that TTS, despite the staff welfare, causes the most accidents compared to SBST, SMRT and GAS? Get the staff welfare thing that’s what I like about TTS, but I think LTA cares more about bus driving standards than staff welfare 😓