SMRT Bus Service 976 is a trunk service operating between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang Interchange, supplementing the Bukit Panjang LRT and was launched on 10 November 2019.
| Route Overview | ||||||||||||
Route  |
Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange ↔ Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange | |||||||||||
| Passes Through | Choa Chu Kang Way, Senja Rd, Bt Panjang Ring Rd, Petir Rd | |||||||||||
| Route Length | Towards Bukit Panjang: 8.5 km | Towards Choa Chu Kang: 8.9 km | ||||||||||
| Travelling Time | 37 – 50 mins | |||||||||||
| Operator Information | ||||||||||||
| BCM Route Package | Choa Chu Kang–Bukit Panjang Bus Package | |||||||||||
| Current Operator | SMRT Buses Ltd | |||||||||||
| Current Depot | Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP) | |||||||||||
| Current Fleet | Single-deck buses Includes electric buses (Linkker LM312) |
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| Operating Hours | ||||||||||||
| Departure Times from Choa Chu Kang | Daily | |||||||||||
| 05:30 – 00:30 | ||||||||||||
| Departure Times from Bukit Panjang | Daily | |||||||||||
| 05:50 – 00:50 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Frequency | ||||||||||||
|  | 6:30am–8.30am | 8.31am–4.59pm | 5.00pm–7.00pm | After 7.00pm | ||||||||
| From Choa Chu Kang |
10 – 15 mins | 12 – 17 mins | 15 mins | 14 – 18 mins | ||||||||
| From Bukit Panjang | 10 – 15 mins | 13 – 17 mins | 15 mins | 15 – 16 mins | ||||||||
| Fare Information |
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| Fare | Charges regular distance fares |
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Bus Service 976 was introduced as a full-day service to complement the Bukit Panjang LRT network. As part of the Bukit Panjang LRT Overhaul, train services would only be offered in a counter-clockwise loop (Service B via Petir) during off-peak hours on Weekdays and the entire day during Weekends & Public Holidays starting from 1 December 2019.
According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), full-day Bus Service 976 is upgraded from the withdrawn peak-hour Bus Parallel Service BPS1, which was introduced in 2011 as a measure to reduce peak hour crowding on the Bukit Panjang LRT network by providing an alternative travel route for residents at Segar, Jelapang and Senja to Choa Chu Kang. With the introduction of Bus Service 976, Service BPS1 was withdrawn on the same day.
Withdrawn Double Deck Deployment Plans
Plans were made to deploy double-deck buses on Service 976 in 2024 to improve capacity. To accommodate the larger turning radius of the 3-axle double-deck buses, a lane reduction was implemented along Segar Road, from three lanes to two, before the junction with Bukit Panjang Ring Road and Fajar Road. This change aimed to facilitate left turns from Segar Road onto Bukit Panjang Ring Road towards Bukit Panjang Interchange. However, this adjustment led to increased traffic congestion at the affected junction.
On 5 August 2024, Mr. Edward Chia Bing Hui, Member of Parliament for Holland–Bukit Timah GRC (Zhenghua), posted on Facebook about the feedback he received from residents concerning the congestion at the junction. He announced that the previous three-lane configuration would be reinstated before mid-August 2024, following discussions with LTA.
In an update on 12 August 2024, he mentioned that more trips were added to Service 976.
MRT / LRT Stations Served
- BP6–DT1Â Bukit Panjang
- BP7 Petir
- BP8 Pending
- BP9 Bangkit
- BP12 Jelapang
- BP13 Senja
- BP5Â Phoenix
- BP4 Teck Whye
- BP3Â Keat Hong
- BP2 South View
- BP1NS4Â Â Choa Chu Kang
Gallery (Buses):
Poster Gallery:
Operator History
- 2019 – Present: SMRT Buses Ltd
The Bus Service Operating License (BSOL) for this route will be renewed in 2026 under the Choa Chu Kang–Bukit Panjang bus package.
History
- 2019 (10 Nov): Introduced between Choa Chu Kang Int and Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub, replacing Service BPS1
- 2020 (01 Jan): Service Enhancement to operate at 15 minutes frequency daily throughout the day.
- 2022 (03 Apr): Amended to skip Senja Link towards Bukit Panjang due to the conversion of part of Senja Road and Senja Link to one-way traffic
External Links & References
Back to Bus Services
Back to Bus Articles
I call this bus service the unicorn bus, as because of its low frequency it’s rarely seen.
I rather take lrt or walk than wait for this super long frequency bus. As mentioned previously, this bus should just loop at Bt Panjang Int. The interchange legit lack parking lots already. Please make the frequency better.
You’ve made a mistake; bus 976 doesn’t merge with bus BPS1 and you have withdrawn it. So, reintroduce bus BPS1.
Ps. The operating hours may be nonsense, but you have it reintroduce it!
If it is a lack of parking lots, this bus service can loop at Bt Panjang ITH instead. (just like bus service 180). Strongly agree with you, JKYY!
I would like to propose that Service 976 is enhanced to operate at 5-10 min frequencies all day with high-capacity buses and LTA can close the whole BPLRT system for faster repairs. Only problem why LTA cannot proceed with this is the lack of parking lots at Bukit Panjang Int.
15-minute frequency had been announced by LTA before making the present-day 15-minutes since 1 January 2020.