Express 506 plies between the residential estates of Jurong East and Serangoon, via Bukit Batok, Toa Payoh and Woodleigh. It incorporates an express sector along the PIE between Bukit Batok and Toa Payoh.
Despite being an express route, other basic bus services compliment the route over various sectors, such as Service 985 connecting Bukit Batok with Jln Toa Payoh also via PIE.
The Bus Service Operating License (BSOL) for this route will be renewed in 2025 under the Serangoon–Eunos Bus Package.
History:
1999 (30 Aug): Introduced between Jurong East Int and Bedok Int, operating daily
2000 (03 Sep): Extended to Changi Airport; Serves additional pair of bus stops outside and opposite Trellis Twrs along Jln Toa Payoh; Last bus from Jurong East Int extended to 2210 hrs daily
2001: Serves new pair of bus stops opposite Blk 761 and opposite Baywater along Bedok North Ave 3
2002: Serves new pair of bus stops opposite and between Blks 731 and 734 along Bedok Reservoir Rd
2002 (15 Sep): Shortened back to Bedok Int; Last bus from Jurong East Int extended to 2230 hrs daily
2006: Skips a pair of abolished bus stops outside and opposite Bedok Green Sec Sch along Bedok North Ave 3
2006 (12 Nov): Extended to Upper East Coast Ter; Last bus from Jurong East Int reverted to 2200 hrs daily
2010 (13 Feb): Serves new pair of bus stops outside and opposite Blk 220 CP along Bedok North Ave 3
2011 (17 Dec): Amended to Jurong East Temp Int
2012 (30 Sep): Designated wheelchair-accessible bus service (WAB)
2017 (23 Apr): Serves relocated bus stop before PIE along Bt Batok Rd
I think its time to convert 506 to a trunk route. If that happens. I bet alot of ppl will take it. And for all we know it will turn out very profitable.
988 already served the portion of Clementi Loop – Jalan Besar (which is also provisional code “197e” or “997”). So even when I take a cab, we decided to avoid Bt Timah or PIE portion to avoid duplicating DTL2.
Highly agree, this is no longer an express service and should be classified as a trunk service due to some similarity with trunk service 966 which also has a long express sector from Bukit Panjang to Jalan Eunos
Its a big mistake amending this route. Shld just remained as jurong east to east coast. The new leg to serangoon is having poor ridership. Atleast amand it to serve bidadari the part where 107 serve will atleast add more value to 506.
Please considering adding more buses to 506 fleet especially during peak hours. Also the frequency of this bus service is quite bad, recently i waited at serangoon int for 506, the bus was suppose to come at 8:17 am but it never came. A few mins later, a 506 bus arrived after coming back from Jurong East Int, it then parked for awhile as the bus captain needed a washroom break. Finally the bus arrived at 8:25am! It happened to be the same bus that arrive earlier. Not only is this making pax later but the captain would have little time to rest as well as the bus. Letting the bus keep running without a longer rest can eventually having a breakdown. Also sometimes during peak periods, the buses get bunch due to a traffic jam and passengers at bus stops ahead have to wait up to 30mins for a bus and when it arrive, the bus would be full to the brim. Peak periods are the only problem, a simple situation at the very least is to add more dds during peak hours. Its bad enough you have to wait for 20 mins for one bus(this include peak periods) but there barely an dds, buses dont come according to schedule due to the lack of buses.
I think its time to convert 506 to a trunk route. If that happens. I bet alot of ppl will take it. And for all we know it will turn out very profitable.
988 already served the portion of Clementi Loop – Jalan Besar (which is also provisional code “197e” or “997”). So even when I take a cab, we decided to avoid Bt Timah or PIE portion to avoid duplicating DTL2.
Highly agree, this is no longer an express service and should be classified as a trunk service due to some similarity with trunk service 966 which also has a long express sector from Bukit Panjang to Jalan Eunos
Its a big mistake amending this route. Shld just remained as jurong east to east coast. The new leg to serangoon is having poor ridership. Atleast amand it to serve bidadari the part where 107 serve will atleast add more value to 506.
That is better, at least restore the old connection of 106 from bukit batok to bidadarit, & the old route of 97 from jurong east to bidadari.
can we have 506 back in the east side? at least bedok interchange to fill in 66 slot?
506 is under Serangoon-Eunos package since its route amendment back in Dec 2021.
Please considering adding more buses to 506 fleet especially during peak hours. Also the frequency of this bus service is quite bad, recently i waited at serangoon int for 506, the bus was suppose to come at 8:17 am but it never came. A few mins later, a 506 bus arrived after coming back from Jurong East Int, it then parked for awhile as the bus captain needed a washroom break. Finally the bus arrived at 8:25am! It happened to be the same bus that arrive earlier. Not only is this making pax later but the captain would have little time to rest as well as the bus. Letting the bus keep running without a longer rest can eventually having a breakdown. Also sometimes during peak periods, the buses get bunch due to a traffic jam and passengers at bus stops ahead have to wait up to 30mins for a bus and when it arrive, the bus would be full to the brim. Peak periods are the only problem, a simple situation at the very least is to add more dds during peak hours. Its bad enough you have to wait for 20 mins for one bus(this include peak periods) but there barely an dds, buses dont come according to schedule due to the lack of buses.
I suggest to increase frequency & convert the single deck buses into double deck buses.