SMRT Bus Service 963 is a trunk route linking Woodlands Temporary Interchange and HarbourFront Interchange, passing through Marsiling, BKE, Bukit Panjang, Upper Bukit Timah, Hillview, Bukit Batok, Toh Tuck, AYE, Alexandra and Telok Blangah. It has two route variants, Express 963e, which operates during Peak hours on Weekdays, and and Express 963R, which operates on Weekends and Public Holidays.
| Technical Information | ||
Route  |
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange ↔ HarbourFront Bus Interchange | |
| Passes Through | Marsiling, BKE, Bukit Panjang, Upper Bukit Timah, Hillview, Bukit Batok, Toh Tuck, AYE, Alexandra, Telok Blangah | |
| Route Length | 29.9km (D1) | 29.4km (D2) | |
| Travelling Time | 85 mins | |
| Operator Information | ||
| BCM Route Package | Sembawang – Yishun Bus Package | |
| Current Operator | SMRT Buses Ltd | |
| Current Depot | Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (AMDEP) Buses park at: Woodlands Bus Park (WLBP) |
|
| Current Fleet | 12-metre Double Deck Bus: – Alexander Dennis Enviro500 – MAN A95 12-metre Single Deck Bus: – MAN NL323F |
|
| Departure Times from Woodlands | 0550hrs – 2330hrs (Daily) | |
| Departure Times from HarbourFront |
0600hrs – 2330hrs (Daily) | |
| Frequency | Direction 1 | Direction 2 |
| 0630 – 0830: 06 – 13 mins 0831 – 1659: 05 – 14 mins 1700 – 1900: 07 – 13 mins After 1900: 12 – 15 mins |
0630 – 0830: 08 – 15 mins 0831 – 1659: 06 – 13 mins 1700 – 1900: 06 – 08 mins After 1900: 08 – 13 mins |
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Service 963 is an inter-town route serving between the residential towns of Woodlands, Bukit Panjang, Hillview, Bukit Batok and Telok Blangah. Its direct nature makes it a fast connection between various points on its route. The route compliments Service 97 between AYE – HarbourFront, Services 176 and 970 between Hillview – Bukit Panjang, and Services 187 and 966 between Bukit Panjang – Woodlands. Demand for the service is moderate during offpeak hours, but receives high demand during the peak hours, and operates a proportionately large split-shift fleet along with high-capacity buses to cope with demand.
Originally introduced Express 521 in September 1999 with brand-new Hino HS3KRKK ‘smiley’ buses, its launch coincided with the extension of the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) scheme to outer ring roads, in an effort to encourage more commuters to opt for public transport. It charged discounted fares (normal air-con bus fares) during off-peak periods, and express fares during peak periods. Later in 2002, it was extended to Woodlands and downgraded to a regular trunk route, and renumbered as Service 963.
MRT/LRT Stations Served:
- NS9TE2 Woodlands
- NS8 Marsiling
- BP8 Pending
- BP7 Petir
- DT1BP6 Bukit Panjang
- DT2 Cashew
- DT3 Hillview
- CC24 Kent Ridge
- CC27 Labrador Park
- CC28 Telok Blangah
- NE1CC29 HarbourFront
Special Departures:
- Bukit Panjang Rd (Blk 223) → HarbourFront Int
Weekdays: Several trips from 05:35 till first bus from Woodlands
Saturdays: Several trips from 05:45 till first bus from Woodlands
Sundays / Public Holidays: 05:50 - Hillview Rd (Aft Hillview Stn) → HarbourFront Int
Weekdays: 05:45 & Morning Peak Hours - Bukit Batok East Ave 3 (Opp Burgundy Hill) → Woodlands Temp Int
Weekdays: 05:45, 05:58, 16:28 & 18:03
Saturdays: 06:00 & 06:14
Route Variants:
- SMRT Express Service 963e
Woodlands Temp Int ⇌ HarbourFront Int - SMRT Express Service 963R
Woodlands Temp Int ↔ Resorts World Sentosa
Fare: Charges basic distance fares. See Bus Fares.
bus 963, 965, 966 and 969 should be in woodlands bus package, same for 169.
Sembawang-Yishun and Woodlands Packages wanted to equalise actually………
Extend to Shenton Way Ter much better
Woodlands residents take 951E or NSL to Shenton Way, or even TEL from End-2021. 963 is meant for an upgrade from 521 to serve Woodlands, Bukit Panjang and Bukit Batok West. 963 terminating at HarbourFront is rather better than terminating at Shenton Way as it’s useless for many 963 residents.
If not you tell me WHY 963R is introduced?!?! Is meant for 963R direct access to RWS without the hassle walk to VivoCity via Sentosa Express or Boardwalk
Should be under Woodlands package in exchange for 961
Is up to LTA to decide though….. If 963 became Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package, so believed it. Although Marsiling side are Woodlands Package (except 966), is not depending on the direction, depending on LTA
Good service provided by SMRT bus captain whilst travelling on service 963 from Hillion Mall bus stop to BLK 289E Bukit Batok Ave 3. Bus driver waited for us to board when I alighted at Hillion mall from service 170 from Johor Bahru. The bus I took on 21/02/2019 at around 8 pm was Bus No SG 766D. Keep up your good work. Thanks.