SMRT Bus Service 963
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) | |
| Current Fleet | 12-metre Double Deck Bus: – 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 |
|
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:
- NS9 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
Daily: 0545hrs – 0600hrs - Bukit Batok East Ave 3 (Opp Parkview Apts) → Woodlands Temp Int
Daily: 0600hrs – 0625hrs
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.
