Commercial Advertising on Bus Contracting Model Buses

With the full implementation of the Bus Contracting Model (BCM) in 2016, new guidelines on commercial bus advertising wraps dictate that commercial advertising can only cover the rear two-thirds of the length of the bus.

The #HeyChingay50Bus campaign in January 2022 marked the return of the full body advertising wrap, with the condition that operator logos still remain displayed on the nearside & offside of the bus.

Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (SMB5003U) - Service 190 with an advertisement wrap for SMRT Media
Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (SMB5003U) – Service 190 with an advertisement wrap for SMRT Media

Currently, Public Transport Operators (PTO) appoint an advertising and commercial partner to oversee the sourcing, installation, maintenance and removal of advertisements at bus interchanges, as well as on buses. Under the BCM, operators get to keep advertising revenue generated from assets such as buses and bus interchanges.

The current advertising and commercial partners for the various PTOs are:


Pre-BCM

Before the BCM was implemented in 2016, operators are free to wrap buses in any style, with the exception that the front of the bus should not be covered. This is to allow commuters to easily identify a public bus, with the operator logo and distinct livery colours in front. The upper deck of Double-deck buses were allowed to be covered with advertising stickers.

2D and 3D advertisements were occasionally featured on single-deck buses, but with additional complications. These buses were subject to deployment restrictions due to their height, and were prohibited from using the bus washing machine (and as such, required manual washing).

Advertising Concepts

Moove Media and SMRT Media, the advertising arms of SBS Transit and SMRT Buses respectively, offer several unique advertising concepts in addition to regular exterior stickers. 2D and 3D protrusions on single-deck buses are the most common. Some companies opt to create a themed bus interior, with floors, ceilings, seatbacks and other exposed surfaces covered in advertising stickers.

In 2015, SMRT Media launched eLumiNEX, an illuminated film for Double-deck buses that captures attention at night. Moove Media later offered a similar product, Moove Ignite. In addition, Moove Media offers the Moove Jewel concept on single-deck buses, with two 2D backlit advertising boards complementing the bus advert.

Single Decker Buses
Double Decker Buses
Articulated Buses

Volvo B5RLE Hybrid Bus

An exception to this was the full body and front wrap for SBS8002T, the Volvo B5RLE Hybrid demo bus that was operated by SBS Transit for the duration of its trial. The operator’s logo was part of the advertisement at the front of the bus. Many commuters were confused by the lack of SBS Transit’s corporate purple livery at the front of the bus, in addition to the non-standard Flip-dot electronic display signage.


Next Page: Bus Service Enhancement Programme Buses & Bus Contracting Model Advertising

11 thoughts on “Commercial Advertising on Bus Contracting Model Buses

  • 22 April 2020 at 1:18 PM
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    Go-Ahead should stop using moove media and use clear channel instead.SBST is their foe what is they thinking?

    Reply
  • 20 August 2017 at 4:49 PM
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    I Really Hate The 2/3 Ads The 2/3 Ads Are So Ugly And The Wraps Are Way Better Than The 2/3 Ads

    Reply
  • 25 December 2016 at 7:58 PM
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    I dont like the 2/3 ads restriction. The previous full bodied bus ads look awesome. Now 2/3 only its an eyesore.

    Reply
    • 11 May 2022 at 7:46 PM
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      I agree with you on your opinion.

      Reply
  • 18 October 2016 at 8:02 PM
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    But SMRT & SBS Transit still haven’t adopted the new ads standard yet.

    Reply
  • 15 October 2016 at 9:12 PM
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    Anyway, I found a commercial for the Wine Fiesta on service 92. Still in SBS corporate colours, but fulfils the rear two-thirds advertising. You might want to check it out.

    Reply

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