(Defunct) SMRT Bus Service 979M

SMRT Bus Service 979M was a trunk service plying from Bukit Panjang and looping at Choa Chu Kang North 5 within the Yew Tee estate. It passed through Woodlands Road, Choa Chu Kang Drive, and Choa Chu Kang North 6.

Introduced on 24 April 2016 on a temporary basis, the route offered a direct connection between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang North 5, while road widening works at Stagmont Ring were still in progress. This was the first temporary route launched under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP).

Bus Service 979M was integrated into the amended Bus Service 979 and withdrawn on 22 July 2018.

Technical Information
Route	Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange ↺ Choa Chu Kang North 5 (Loop)
Passed Through	Bukit Panjang Rd, Choa Chu Kang Dr, Choa Chu Kang North 6
Route Length	9.0 km
Travelling Time	35 mins
Operator Information
BCM Route Package	Choa Chu Kang – Bukit Panjang Bus Package (Temporary)
Former Operator	SMRT Buses Ltd
Former Depot	Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP)
Former Fleet	12-metre Double Decker Bus: – Alexander Dennis Enviro500 12-metre Single Deck Bus: – MAN NL323F
Departure Times from Bt Panjang	0600hrs – 2330hrs (Daily)
Frequency	Loop Service
	All Day: 30 mins

Bus Service 979M was a residential trunk route serving within the housing estates at Stagmont, connecting housing blocks along Choa Chu Kang North 5 and 6 with connections to key transport nodes at Bukit Panjang MRT / LRT. It duplicates SMRT Intratown Service 307 along Choa Chu Kang North 5 and 6.

Bus Service 979 was originally planned to serve Choa Chu Kang North 5 before continuing its route to Yew Tee MRT Station from Bukit Panjang. However, due to the restrictions at the junction of Stagmont Ring and Woodlands Rd, Bus Service 979 was launched in tandem with the opening of the Downtown Line Stage 2 on 27 Dec 2015 and plied KJE instead of Stagmont Ring.

Hence, Bus Service 979M, introduced on a temporary basis, serves as an interim direct link for Choa Chu Kang North 5 residents to Bukit Panjang MRT Station, albeit the Downtown Line station already operating for 4 months at launch date. It is the first temporary bus route to be introduced under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP).

The junction works at Stagmont Ring and Woodlands Road were completed on 1 July 2018. With the amendment of Bus Service 979 to serve Choa Chu Kang North 5 via Stagmont Ring on 22 July 2018, Bus Service 979M was withdrawn.

Bus Service 979M also served the following amenities along its route, benefiting residents living along Choa Chu Kang North 5 and Villa Verde Estate:

• MRT/LRT Stations:
  • DT1BP6  Bukit Panjang
  • BP14 Ten Mile Junction
• Schools:
  • Regent Secondary School
• Shopping Centres:
  • Bukit Panjang Plaza
  • Junction 10
• Choa Chu Kang Stadium
• Choa Chu Kang Swimming Complex
• Choa Chu Kang Sports Centre

Route Variant:

• SMRT Bus Service 979: Bukit Panjang Int ↺ Choa Chu Kang Cres (Loop)

Fares: Charges fares for regular trunk services. See Bus Fares for exact fares.

Gallery:

Operator History:

• 24 Apr 2016 – 21 Jul 2018: SMRT Buses Ltd

Route History:

• 2016 (24 Apr): Introduced under the LTA’s Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP) as a temporary service, plying from Bukit Panjang  and looping at Choa Chu Kang North 5. Wheelchair accessible at launch.
• 2017 (04 Sep): Amended to Bukit Panjang ITH.
• 2018 (22 Jul): Integrated with Service 979 and withdrawn.

Past Routings:

• Refer to this article

External Links & References:

• TransitLink E-Guide

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