The Woodlands 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.
PT216 – Woodlands Bus Package (Negotiated Contract Term: 2016 to 2026 + Extension):
As part of the Bus Contracting Model which was fully implemented in September 2016, LTA entered into a Negotiated Contract with SMRT Buses to operate bus services under the Woodlands Bus Package until the awarded operator for the open tender of the Woodlands takes over operations. This was announced to be in Year 2023 by LTA in 2016.
| Contract PT216: Woodlands Bus Package (Negotiated Contract) | |
| Operator | SMRT Buses Ltd |
| Duration | From 1 Sep 2016 (extended by 3 years + further extension duration not announced) |
| Bus Services |
110, 178, 187, 648, 665, 900, 901/901M, 902, 903/903M, 904, 911, 912, 913/913M, 925/925M, 950, 960, 960e, 961/961M, 962, 964 & 967 (21 bus routes) |
| Handover Date | – |
| Anchor Bus Depot | Woodlands Bus Depot |
| Anchor Bus Interchange / Terminal | Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange, Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub |
The package includes Bus Service 950, a cross-border route.
Contract Extensions:
First Extension: 2023–2026
SMRT Buses’ negotiated contract for the Woodlands Bus Package was originally due to expire in 2023. The Straits Times reported on 5 September 2023 that it had been extended by three years to August 2026, alongside the Choa Chu Kang–Bukit Panjang Bus Package.
Responding to media queries, LTA cited infrastructure readiness, operational stability and market conditions. The extension was disclosed through this reporting rather than a standalone LTA announcement.
Continued Operation Beyond August 2026
SMRT Buses has continued operating the package beyond August 2026, but no further extension announcement has been identified. The duration and terms of the subsequent arrangement, and the reasons for it, remain publicly unclear.
Bus Services:
| Service | Route | Type |
| 110 | Buangkok ↺ Changi Airport | Trunk |
| 178 | Woodlands ↔ Boon Lay | Trunk |
| 187 | Woodlands ↔ Boon Lay | Trunk |
| 648 | Woodlands Street 82 ⇄ Shenton Way / Anson Road | City Direct |
| 665 |
Marsiling Drive ⇄ Shenton Way / Anson Road | City Direct |
| 900 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 1 | Feeder |
| 901 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 6 | Feeder |
| 902 | Woodlands → Woodlands Avenue 9 | Feeder |
| 903 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Centre Road | Feeder |
| 904 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Crescent | Feeder |
| 911 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 2 / Woodlands Centre Road | Feeder |
| 912 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 7 / Woodlands Centre Road | Feeder |
| 913 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Circle / Woodlands Avenue 3 | Feeder |
| 925 | Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) ↔ Choa Chu Kang | Trunk |
| 950 | Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) ↺ JB Sentral | Trunk |
| 960 | Woodlands ↔ Marina Centre | Trunk |
| 960e | Woodlands ↔ Marina Centre | Express |
| 961 | Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) ↔ Lorong 1 Geylang | Trunk |
| 962 | Woodlands ↺ Admiralty Street | Trunk |
| 964 | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Link | Trunk |
| 967 |
Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) ↺ Woodlands Drive 17 | Trunk |
Short Trip & Supplementary Bus Services
These services do not add to the overall service count.
| Service | Route | Type |
| 178A | Woodlands → Woodlands Road (Kranji Stn) | Short Trip |
| 901M |
Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 7 | Supplementary |
| 903M | Woodlands ↺ Marsiling Lane | Supplementary |
| 911A | Woodlands → Woodlands Street 13 (Blk 146) | Short Trip |
| 911T | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 2 / Woodlands Centre Road | Terminating Trip |
| 912A | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Avenue 7 | Short Trip |
| 912B | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Centre Road | Short Trip |
| 913M | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Street 13 | Supplementary |
| 913T | Woodlands ↺ Woodlands Circle / Woodlands Centre Road | Terminating Trip |
| 925A |
Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) → Kranji Way (Kranji Resvr Pk B) | Short Trip |
| 925M | Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) ↺ Neo Tiew Crescent | Supplementary |
| 961M | Woodlands (Temporary Bus Interchange) ↔ Lorong 1 Geylang | Supplementary |
| 962B | Sembawang Drive (Opp Sun Plaza) → Sembawang Drive (Sun Plaza/ Sembawang Stn) | Short Trip |
| 962C | Woodlands Avenue 5 (Blk 618) → Woodlands Avenue 6 (Admiralty Stn/Blk 680) | Short Trip |
Woodlands Bus Package – Negotiated Contract (PT216) Timeline
- 2016 (11 Aug): Woodlands Bus Package mentioned as one of 11 Negotiated Contract (NC) Packages, and operated by SMRT Buses.
- 2018 (12 Aug): Terminating trips 911E & 913E renumbered to 911T & 913T respectively.
- 2018 (28 Oct): Bus Service 960e added to the Bus Package.
- 2019 (17 Mar): Bus Service 913M added to the Bus Package as a supplementary bus service.
- 2019 (01 Jan): NightRider NR7 temporary suspended to facilitate the On-Demand Public Bus Trial
- 2019 (16 Jun): NightRider NR7 discontinued and removed from the Bus Package.
- 2019 (23 Jun): Bus Service 901M added to the Bus Package as a supplementary bus service.
- 2019 (08 Sep): Bus Services 925# & 961# (Sunday & Public Holiday variant of 925 & 961) renumbered to 925M & 961M.
- 2020 (18 Mar): Bus Service 950 temporarily suspended due to Malaysia Movement Control Order.
- 2020 (08 Apr): Bus Services 926, 951E, NR5 & NR6 temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
- 2020 (13 Apr): Bus Service 925A added to the Bus Package as a short trip service.
- 2020 (15 Apr): Bus Service 960e temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
- 2020 (02 Jun): Resumption of Bus Services 951E & 960e. Bus Services 926, NR5 & NR6 remain suspended.
- 2021 (31 May): City Direct 665 transferred to Woodlands Bus Package from Bulim Bus Package
- 2021 (01 Sep): Bus Service 110 transferred to Woodlands Bus Package from Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package
- 2022 (01 May): Resumption of cross-border bus service 950
- 2022 (30 Jun): Bus Services 926, NR5 & NR6 withdrawn and removed from the Bus Package
- 2023 (05 Sep): Negotiated Contract announced to have been extended by 3 years to 2026 by LTA & SMRT Buses in an article by The Straits Times
- 2023 (17 Dec): Service 900A withdrawn and removed from the Bus Package with the extension of Service 900 to loop at Woodlands Avenue 1 and operating throughout the day
- 2024 (11 Mar): Short Trip Service 911A added
- 2025 (12 Jan): Service 967 added
- 2025 (13 Jan): Feeder Bus Service 912M withdrawn with the introduction of Bus Service 967
- 2026 (15 Jun): Express 951E renumbered to City Direct 648
External Links & References:
- Bus Industry to complete transition to BCM on 1 Sep 2016 – LTA
- SMRT contracts for Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang-Bukit Panjang bus routes extended until 2026 – The Straits Times
Back to Bus Contracting Model
Well SMRT have been running woodlands for very long alr why not put it up for tender
Would it even be possible for TTS to win this package (we don’t talk about GAS after the Tampines incident)? Seriously, I don’t mind if it’s SBST since they already have 160 170 so re-registering APAD for 950 won’t be a problem for them. But would Tower be able to handle a cross border service? And since they will have to re-register APAD for the cross-border A22s, will they be able to convince Malaysia to obtain the license?
No they won’t unless they discontinue because RTS link soon or transfer service to SBST cuz tts no experience
Registration with APAD is within LTA range. If TTS win I’m sure 80% of 950 BCs will follow suit cause Malaysian BCs more prefer depots near to causeway as its save time for them to travel. TTS always generous give extra basic pay to ex SMRT or SBST BC for joining them. 950 isn’t as tedious as 170 or 170X.
Since SMRT has been running woodlands for very long alr why not award tower transit then let them run on woodlands bus package since
Gail batu just started plus they have seerangoon enuos so if tower transit take this then make it fare tower transit will ha e three
Since SMRT already Co operate the RTS why not award to TTS exchange for Sembawang-Yishun package instead?