SMRT Feeder Service 944 is a Feeder service operating from Bukit Batok Bus Interchange and looping at Bukit Batok Road, serving new estates along Bukit Batok West Avenue 6.
The route commenced operations on Sunday, 27 August 2017. It is the seventy-sixth (76th) service to be introduced under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP).
| Route Overview | ||||||||||||
Route  |
Bukit Batok Bus Interchange ↺ Bukit Batok Road (Loop) | |||||||||||
| Passes Through | Bt Batok West Ave 3, Bt Batok West Ave 6 | |||||||||||
| Route Length | 4.9 km | |||||||||||
| Traveling Time | 20 – 30 mins | |||||||||||
| Operator Information | ||||||||||||
| BCM Route Package | Bulim Bus Package (Negotiated Contract) |
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| Current Operator | SMRT Buses Ltd | |||||||||||
| Current Depot | Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP) Buses park at:Â Bulim Bus Depot (BUDEP) |
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| Current Fleet | 12-metre Single Deck Bus: – MAN A22 – Yutong E12 |
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| Operating Hours | ||||||||||||
| Daily | ||||||||||||
| Departure Times from Bukit Batok |
05:30 – 01:00 | |||||||||||
| Operating Frequency | ||||||||||||
| 6.30am–8.30am | 8.31am–4.59pm | 5.00pm–7.00pm | After 7.00pm | |||||||||
| Loop Service | 12 mins | 13 – 16 mins | 12 mins | 15 – 16 mins | ||||||||
| Fare Information |
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| Fare | Charges regular distance fares capped at 3.2km for feeder services |
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Bus Service 944 is a feeder service from Bukit Batok Bus Interchange to Bukit Batok Road, mainly serving new residential estates northwest of Bukit Batok with direct links to NS2 Bukit Batok MRT Station,  as well as other amenities along the route. It is the fourth feeder bus service originating from Bukit Batok, alongside Services 941, 945 and 947, and commenced operations on Sunday, 27 August 2017.
In Bukit Batok, Service 944 serves new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat estates such as:
- West Quarry @ Bukit Batok
- West Plains @ Bukit Batok
- West Edge @ Bukit Batok
- West Rock @ Bukit Batok
- West Terra @ Bukit Batok
- West Valley @ Bukit Batok
- West Ridges @ Bukit Batok
Amenities served include:
- Club CSC @ Bukit Batok
- Bukit Batok Polyclinic
While Bukit Batok Bus Interchange is under the tendered Bulim Bus Package contract with Tower Transit being the anchor operator, the decision was made by LTA to award the operation of Service 944 to SMRT Buses instead, under the Negotiated Contract (NC) model. This is likely due to economic reasons, as the per-mileage operating cost for Tower Transit is higher than that of SMRT Buses, calculated based on the winning bid amount for the Bulim Bus Package. The route will be operated by the awarded tenderer under the Bulim Bus Package in 2021.
The route operates out of end-on berths A15 – A17 at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Service 941, which previously occupied these berths, was moved to sawtooth Berth B4.
Launch Day
Free rides were offered on Service 944 for all commuters.
MRT Stations Served:
- NS2Â Â Bukit Batok
Gallery:
Gallery (Posters):
Operator History:
- 27 August 2017 – Present: SMRT Buses Ltd
- (~End May 2021) onwards: Tower Transit Singapore Pte Ltd
Operations for this route would be transferred to Tower Transit in 2021 as part of the Bulim Bus Package.
The Bus Service Operating License (BSOL) for this route will be renewed in 2026 under the Bulim Bus Package.
Route History:
- 2017 (27 Aug): Launched under the BSEP. Wheelchair accessible at launch.
External Links & References:
What buses will SMRT transfer back to Bulim?
2 E12 & 2 A22 Euro V/VI?
I suspect they will transfer A22s. I really hope not the E12s. E12s can return to 983 or be used on other Kranji Depot services.
Should exchange for 974 and TTS take this 944
I just took bus 944 outside Bukit Batok poly clinic a while ago. There were about three of four passengers. One wheel chair lady w her maid. Not sickly or seriously handicapped.
I was with my 6 days old pre term baby waiting anxiously for the bus to take us home away from the pollution – one bus stop away. The door was opened right in front of us but the instructor sternly without even looking at us ordered the door to be closed again n. After to the need of the wheel chair. I was furious. With engine running w the 6 days old baby in my hand. Had to wait for instruction done inside bus. Then opened the door. This is obviously ridiculously inflexible. When door opened with the driver rather looking sorry, I asked why can do it at the same time. Baby is equally impt too. The instructor hearing it looked at n kind of walking toward n asking ‘ what is wrong’. I am not intimated. So I shared my concerned. He can even say the air is fresh. I should have answered him tt he tries standing there with his six days premature baby n then come n tell me if fresh or not. Totally totally no EQ n Inflexibility. He said wheel chair is priority. I understand they need help but what is wrong letting baby in since door is open later then can teach the driver! Isn’t our next generation is equally impt as wheel chaired. That lady is in good health n talking w maid. Hello! Where are right values balanced with empathy. I did not like the attitude of that driver. ( grey t short) wearing wooden pearly bracket. Approaching one or two steps toward asking in that intimating tone. Please la SOP is impt but please have some human spirit in your staff.
I agree.
944 have already been awarded for TTS starting End-May 2021. And for 974, have to wait in 2023
Hmmm, if need to merge 308 and 947, can always go by Brickland Rd and thru keat hong area support 983 !
That was my whole idea.
Under Khaw regime,LTA is trying hard to give both SBST and SMRT more service even have to go to this extend..2021/22 can say bye2 to TTS/GAS
LTA has also tried hard to give Go-Ahead a new service – 381. You left that out.
That was previous and the fiasco start with Seletar
Ooh, Bukit Batok feeder services will have two operators. This is gonna be interesting.
Merge 947 with 308 (combined route under CCK) and let TT take over the responsibility for 944.
Hmmm.. That is an interesting idea but the main idea of feeders is to connect residential areas to nearby transport facilities, not connecting Interchange to Interchange (that’s the job for Trunks).
But if you want to merge Choa Chu Kang (308) and 947 (Bukit Batok) just to let TTS Operate 944 won’t be that feasible as there already is 188/E/R and 985 to connect those two areas.