SBS Transit Bus Service 129 is a trunk service connecting Tampines North and Saint Michael’s, passing through Tampines Concourse, Tampines Avenue 1, Bartley Road East, Toa Payoh estate and Whampoa estate.
It is the seventieth (70th) Bus Service launched under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP).
Note:
- Bus Service 129 towards both Saint Michael’s and Tampines North duplicates along Whampoa Road, Jalan Bahagia & Jalan Tenteram. Check the bus destination before boarding.
– Buses displaying the Red 129 Plate head towards Tampines North
– Buses displaying the White 129 Plate head towards Saint Michael’s.
| Route Overview | ||||||||||||
Route  |
Tampines North Bus Interchange ↔ Saint Michael’s Bus Terminal | |||||||||||
| Passes Through | Tampines Concourse, Tampines Ave 4, Tampines Ave 1, Bartley Rd, Braddell Rd, Lor 2 Toa Payoh, Jln Tenteram | |||||||||||
| Route Length | Towards St. Michael’s: 22.2 km | Towards Tampines North: 22.4 km | ||||||||||
| Travelling Time | 70 – 95 mins | |||||||||||
| Operator Information | ||||||||||||
| BCM Route Package | Tampines Bus Package | |||||||||||
| Current Operator | SBS Transit Ltd | |||||||||||
| Current Depot | Bedok North Bus Depot (BNDEP) Hougang Bus Depot (HGDEP) Hougang Depot buses park at Braddell Bus Park |
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| Current Fleet | Single-deck & Double-deck buses | |||||||||||
| Operating Hours | ||||||||||||
| Departure Times from Tampines North | Daily | |||||||||||
| 05:35 – 23:20 | ||||||||||||
| Departure Times from St. Michael’s | Daily | |||||||||||
| 05:45 – 23:30 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Frequency | ||||||||||||
| From Tampines North |
6:30am–8.30am | 8.31am–4.59pm | 5.00pm–7.00pm | After 7.00pm | ||||||||
| Weekdays | 10 mins | 10 – 16 mins | 10 – 12 mins | 15 – 23 mins | ||||||||
| Saturdays | 15 mins | 11 – 15 mins | 15 – 16 mins | 15 – 22 mins | ||||||||
| Sundays / Public Holidays | 15 – 16 mins | 15 – 16 mins | 15 mins | 15 – 22 mins | ||||||||
| From St. Michael’s |
6:30am–8.30am | 8.31am–4.59pm | 5.00pm–7.00pm | After 7.00pm | ||||||||
| Weekdays | 10 – 11 mins | 10 – 16 mins | 10 – 12 mins | 13 – 25 mins | ||||||||
| Saturdays | 14 – 15 mins | 12 – 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 – 24 mins | ||||||||
| Sundays / Public Holidays | 14 – 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 – 24 mins | ||||||||
| Fare Information |
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| Fare | Charges regular distance fares |
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Bus Service 129 is a trunk route connecting Tampines North to Saint Michael’s. It provides the fastest link between Tampines and Toa Payoh, running semi-express via Bartley Road and Bartley Road East, which makes it the quickest option for commutes between these towns. Along its route, it serves the residential areas of Tampines, Bartley, Toa Payoh, and Whampoa. The route also connects both ends to the Circle Line at Bartley MRT Station.
Buses in both directions serve the same bus stops at Whampoa Road, Jalan Bahagia and Jalan Tenteram. Red Plate indicates buses heading towards Tampines North, while White Plate indicates buses heading towards Saint Michael’s. Passengers can also refer to the electronic destination display on the bus for clarity.
Historical Background
On 18 December 2016, Service 129 was introduced between Tampines Concourse and St. Michaels, as the 70th new service under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP). It was introduced in tandem with the opening of Tampines Concourse Bus Interchange and several associated route amendments to enhance connectivity in Tampines. On 27 November 2022, the service was extended to Tampines North Bus Interchange to serve the expanding Tampines North estate.
Before Service 129, alternatives between Tampines and Toa Payoh (Services 5 and 59) took longer routes via Bedok Reservoir and Jalan Eunos. Service 129 became the first public transport option to utilize the Bartley Road and Bartley Road East viaducts, shortening travel time between these towns, while providing a useful rail connection at Bartley.
Demand Patterns
Service 129 primarily facilitates inter-town travel between Tampines, Bartley, and Toa Payoh, while also serving intra-town connections within Tampines.
Other notable demand sectors include the Toa Payoh–Whampoa corridor, where it complements Service 139, and the Tampines Central–Tampines North stretch, where it complements Service 298. While the service is popular during peak hours, off-peak demand is moderate to low, reflected in its reduced frequency of 15 to 25 minutes during non-peak periods.
To address peak-hour demand, Service 129 deploys Short Trip services 129A and 129B, which specifically cater to high ridership between Tampines Avenue 1 and Bartley MRT Station. These short trips are beneficial for students travelling to Temasek Polytechnic and residents along Tampines Avenue 1.
MRT Stations Served:
- EW2–DT32 Tampines
- DT31 Tampines West
- CC12 Bartley
- NS18 Braddell
- NS19 Toa Payoh
Special Departures:
- Braddell Rd (Blk 219) → St. Michael’s Ter
Weekdays: 06:00 & 06:09
Saturdays: 06:00 & 06:06
Sundays / Public Holidays: 06:00 & 06:07 - Tampines Ave 1 (Opp Tropica Condo) → Tampines North Int
Weekdays: 06:00, 06:10 & 06:20
Saturdays: 06:00 & 06:13
Sundays / Public Holidays: 06:00 & 06:15
Short Trip Services:
- Service 129A: Tampines Avenue 1 (Temasek Poly East G) → Bartley Road (Bartley Stn Exit A)
Weekdays (except public holidays): 07:14 – 08:39 & 17:02 – 18:33 - Service 129B: Bartley Road (Gambir Ridge) → Tampines Avenue 1 (Opp Temasek Poly East G)
Weekdays (except public holidays): 07:47 – 09:15 & 17:33 – 19:09
Gallery (Buses):
Poster Gallery / Misc:
Video:
Operator History:
- 18 Dec 2016 – Present: SBS Transit Ltd
Route History:
- 2016 (18 Dec): Introduced between Tampines Concourse Int and St. Michael’s Ter under the LTA’s Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP). Wheelchair-accessible at launch
- 2017 (28 May): Serves additional pair of bus stops outside and opposite Gambir Ridge along Bartley Rd
- 2022 (27 Nov): Extended to Tampines North Int
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My plan/thoughts for service 129 fleet:
5 Mercedes Benz Citaro 0530 Batch 2 or 3
17 Volvo B9TL Batch 3
3 MAN A95 Batch 1
1 Scania K230UB Batch 1 Euro V
My plan/thoughs for service 129 route:
St Michael – Balestier – Toa Payoh – Tampines – Punggol Rd
Probably add 2 more buses only.Maybe 1 DD & 1 SD.
How do I find the bus schedule for the day? I remember there is a bus schedule on the old SBS transit website
Also duplicates service 139M
Not really, 139M does not go to Kim Keat Rd via Jalan Tentaram.
Thumbs up! One of the few long trunk bus services under BSEP.
Noticed that BSEP SBS routes are generally longer as compared to SMRT ones.