Sengkang–Hougang Bus Package

The Sengkang–Hougang Bus Package is one of fourteen bus packages under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM).

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.

PT206 – Sengkang–Hougang Bus Package (Negotiated Contract Term: 2016 to 2024 + Extension):

As part of the Bus Contracting Model which was fully implemented in September 2016, LTA entered into a Negotiated Contract with SBS Transit to operate bus services under the Sengkang–Hougang Bus Package until the awarded operator for the open tender of the Sengkang–Hougang Bus Package takes over operations. This was announced to be in Year 2021 by LTA in 2016.

SBS Transit’s negotiated contract was originally due to expire in 2021. It was subsequently extended by three years to 2024, as reported in The Straits Times’ review of the Bus Contracting Model. The reason for this extension was not publicly explained. The Straits Times confirmed a further extension in June 2026, without stating its duration or reason.

Operations for the Sengkang–Hougang Bus Package were shifted to the new Sengkang West Bus Depot, which was handed over from the LTA to SBS Transit for outfitting works in August 2024 to prepare for operations in early January 2025. New electric buses which were charged using charging infrastructure at Sengkang West Bus Depot, were deployed on Bus Services 86, 107 & 159 from December 2024.

Bus Services:

Short Trip & Supplementary Bus Services

These services do not add to the overall service count.

Sengkang-Hougang Bus Package – Negotiated Contract (PT206) Timeline

• 2016 (11 Aug): Sengkang-Hougang Bus Package mentioned as one of 11 Negotiated Contract (NC) Packages operated by SBS Transit
• 2016 (01 Sep): Start of negotiated contract term for Sengkang-Hougang Bus Package (PT206)
• 2019 (02 Jan): City Direct 660 added to the Bus Package
• 2019 (14 Jan): Short Trip Service 117A added to the Bus Package
• 2019 (10 Feb): Service 163M removed from the Bus Package following its withdrawal, replaced by Short Trip Service 163A
• 2019 (11 Mar): Short Trip Service 117B added to the Bus Package
• 2019 (15 Apr): Short Trip Service 116A added to the Bus Package
• 2019 (22 Jul): City Direct 654 added to the Bus Package
• 2020 (13 Jan): City Directs 671 & 672 added to the Bus Package
• 2020 (30 Mar): Short Trip Service 117B removed from the Bus Package
• 2020 (08 Apr): Bus Services 654, 660, 671, 672 & 6N temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
• 2020 (15 Apr): Bus Services 89e & 151e temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
• 2020 (24 Apr): Resumption of Bus Service 89e.
• 2020 (02 Jun): Resumption of Bus Services 151e, 654, 660, 671 & 672. Bus Service 6N remain suspended.
• 2020 (25 Oct): Bus Service 114 added to the Bus Package.
• 2021 (Oct): Negotiated Package revealed to be extended by three years till 2024 in an article by The Straits Times
• 2021 (29 Nov): Bus Service 117M added to the Bus Package.
• 2022 (01 Jan): Short Trip Service 114A added to the Bus Package.
• 2022 (17 Jan): Bus Service 151e withdrawn and removed from the bus package
• 2022 (30 Jun): Bus Service 6N withdrawn
• 2023 (27 Mar): Short Trip Service 102A added to the Bus Package
• 2023 (09 Oct): Short Trip Services 102B & 163B added to the Bus Package
• 2024 (24 Jun): Short Trip Services 86A & 86B added to the Bus Package
• 2024 (11 Nov): Supplementary City Direct Service 660M added to the Bus Package
• 2024 (01 Dec): Cessation of bus operations at Compassvale Bus Interchange; Start of operations at Buangkok Bus Interchange
• 2025 (02 Jan): City Direct Bus Services 675, 676 & 677 added
• 2025 (24 Mar): Short Trip Service 112B added
• 2025 (15 Dec): City Direct Bus Services 679, 680, 681 & 682 added
• 2026 (31 Jan): Temporary reopening of Compassvale Bus Interchange to facilitate upgrading works at Sengkang Bus Interchange
• 2026 (23 Mar): Bus Services 457 & 458 added
• 2026 (31 Oct): Closure of Compassvale Bus Interchange after bus services reinstated back to Sengkang Bus Interchange as upgrading works at Sengkang Int are progressively completed.

External Links & References:

• Bus Industry to complete transition to BCM on 1 Sep 2016 – LTA
• Jury still out on Singapore’s bus contracting model, five years on – The Straits Times

Back to Bus Contracting Model