Tampines Bus Package

The Tampines Bus Package is one of fourteen bus packages announced under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM). Operating out of East Coast Bus Depot, the package comprises of 29 bus routes in the eastern region of Singapore.

Tampines Bus Package is currently operated by Go-Ahead Singapore from 5 July 2026.

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.

PT220 – Tampines Bus Package (1st Tendered Term: Jul 2026 to 2031):

Bidding Procedure

The first tendered package term for the Tampines Bus Package was put up for tender on 19 December 2024 with the title of Contract PT220: Bus Contracting – Tampines Bus Package.

The number of bus services for this tender (26 existing services as of December 2024 + Service 299 launched in Apr 2025 for a total of 27 bus services), commencement date (July 2026), as well as the anchor bus depot (East Coast Bus Depot as part of the East Coast Integrated Depot) were revealed by a LTA spokesperson in response to queries by Lianhe Zaobao in December 2024.

Other bus services were subsequently added to the bus package prior to commencement of the contract term.

In addition to the usual quality factors, the LTA spokesperson also revealed that it will also consider the bidders’ plans for operating an electric bus fleet. The plan includes:

• Optimising the deployment of electric buses
• Maintenance of assets such as the electric buses and infrastructure
• Ensuring the safe operation of the electric buses

At closing time on 17 April 2025, bids were submitted by five operators as follows:

^ = Bravo Transport Holdings Limited’s base bid and SBS Transit Ltd’s alternative bid were not considered in the price evaluation.

According to government procurement site GeBIZ, Bravo Transport Holdings Limited was not shortlisted for this tender.

Contract Award:

On 19 September 2025, LTA awarded the Tampines Bus Package to Go-Ahead Singapore.

The 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. This two-envelope process ensures that LTA gets the best value-for-money proposal without compromising on quality.

According to the LTA, it placed greater emphasis on the proposal’s quality, particularly in electric bus operations and maintenance capabilities, given the large-scale electric bus deployment in this package.

The LTA press release cited the reasons for picking Go-Ahead Singapore for the Tampines Bus Package:

• Highest total score for the Tampines Bus Package proposal, taking into account both price and quality factors
• Offered cost savings for LTA compared to the current contract
• Initiatives that would help to raise the industry’s capabilities for large-scale electric bus deployment, building on its UK Group’s experience and expertise in operating the largest fleet of electric buses in London:
  — Work with the Singapore Bus Academy to establish a Satellite Centre of Excellence in Singapore to facilitate knowledge transfer and build expertise in electric bus operations for the industry. The centre will develop a team of skilled local electric bus specialists to support Singapore’s transition to a cleaner energy public bus fleet.
  — Utilise AI-driven tools to aid Service Controllers in regulating intervals between buses and controlling bus deployment, helping to reduce bus bunching and improve service reliability
• Commuter-friendly initiatives, such as ‘Caring Corners’ at bus interchanges and ‘Baby on board’ badges for pregnant commuters
• Programmes to enhance staff welfare through comprehensive programmes focusing on health, safety, and professional development

Bus Services:

Short Trip & Supplementary Bus Services

These services do not add to the overall service count.

Transition Dates:

Go-Ahead Singapore Poster for Tampines Bus Package Tranche 1

Go-Ahead Singapore Poster for Tampines Bus Package Tranche 2

Transitioning of Buses

In January 2026, various bus models, including Volvo B5LH, Scania K230UB (Euro IV) & Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3-door) were transferred from SBS Transit to Go-Ahead Singapore to facilitate training and familiarisation of Bus Captains and Technicians in the lead up to the operations of Tampines Bus Package by Go-Ahead Singapore in July 2026.

Bus Fleet

Under the Tampines Bus Package, Go-Ahead Singapore operates the following bus models:

Single-deck buses

• MAN A22
• Mercedes-Benz Citaro
• Scania K230UB
• Volvo B5LH

Double-deck buses

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

Transition of impacted workers

Affected SBST employees from the Tampines Bus Package will be protected by the Guidelines on Good Employment Practices in the Public Bus Industry and must be offered a job by Go-Ahead Singapore, 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.

Tampines Bus Package – Tendered Package (PT220) Timeline

• 2024 (19 Dec): Tender published
• 2025 (17 Apr): Tender closed; 5 bids submitted
• 2025 (19 Sep): Contract awarded to The Go-Ahead Group Limited (Go-Ahead Singapore)
• 2026 (05 Jul): Commencement of tendered package term for Tampines Bus Package; handover of 14 bus services from SBS Transit
• 2026 (19 Jul): Handover of 15 bus services from SBS Transit

External Links & References:

• 淡滨尼巴士配套开放竞标 陆交局注重电动车队运营提案 | Lianhe Zaobao [Published 25 Dec 2024]
• Contract to run 27 public bus routes in Tampines from 2026 up for bidding | The Straits Times [Published 30 Dec 2024]
• LTA Awards Tampines Bus Package to Go-Ahead Singapore – Land Transport Authority [Published 19 Sep 2025]
• Go-Ahead expands in Singapore with major new contract – The Go-Ahead Group [Published 19 Sep 2025]

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Page 2 – Tampines Bus Package Negotiated Contract (2016 – 2026)