On 1 January 2022, SBS Transit (SBST) retired the bulk of its Volvo B9TL (CDGE) fleet, along with some Scania K230UB (Euro IV) buses.
These operational changes implemented by SBST are the result of a new Framework Agreement (or “FA”) announced by SBST and LTA in November 2021, in connection with the transition of the Downtown Line to the New Rail Financing Framework Version 2.
SBST had agreed to replace 241 of its own buses (comprising 144 double-decker buses and 97-single-deck buses) with newer government-owned buses, which are more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient to maintain.
| Original Registration Period | Useful Lifespan (Registration date till 1 Jan 2022, both dates inclusive) |
Lifespan (% of 17-year statutory lifespan) |
|
| Volvo B9TL (CDGE) | Jun 2006 – Sep 2006 | 15.3 – 15.5 years | 90 – 91.1 |
| Scania K230UB | Oct 2007 – Jan 2009 | 13 – 14.2 years | 76.5 – 83.5 |
Early Retirement Buses
Volvo B9TL (CDGE)
With the retirement of 144 Volvo B9TL (CDGE) buses from January 2022, there are only 20 buses left on revenue service, distributed among Ang Mo Kio Depot, Bedok North Depot, and Bukit Batok Bus Depot. A further two units remain allocated to Hougang Bus Depot for training duties (SBS7383A & SBS7385U).
Scania K230UB (Euro IV)
97 Scania K230UB (Euro IV) buses were taken off revenue service in January 2022, with the majority of them from Ulu Pandan Bus Depot.
Several of these buses were with SPAD Registration for cross-border bus services 160 & 170. With the retirement of these buses, several MAN A22 and Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses were prepared for SPAD Registration in April 2022.
Bus Scrapping
Similar to the previous batch of early retired Volvo B9TL (CDGE) buses, the retired buses will be sent for scrap at various scrapyards.
Reserved to RVS Global
20 of the retired Scania K230UB buses had a notice pasted on their windscreen which read “Reserved to RVS Global”. Some of these buses were spotted in Keppel in July 2022.
Replacement Bus Models
Double Deck
The retired Volvo B9TL (CDGE) buses are replaced by:
- MAN A95 Euro V Batch 3
- MAN A95 Euro 6 Batch 2
- Volvo B9TL (Wright Eclipse Gemini 2)
- Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3-Door)
These buses were transferred from other operators / LTA Bus Storage, or newly registered to SBS Transit in Q4 2021. In addition, there were several buses which were re-deployed across various SBS Transit bus depots.
List of Double-Deck Buses to SBS Transit for Fleet Replacement (Q4 2021) (Click to expand)
| Registration | Former Operator |
| MAN A95 Euro 6 Batch 2 | |
| SG6189M – SG6202H | SMRT Buses |
| SG6204C – SG6213B, SG6216T – SG6225S | LTA Storage |
| SG6226P, SG6233T – SG6235M, SG6239C & SG6240Y | N.A. (Newly registered to SBS Transit) |
| MAN A95 Euro V Batch 3 | |
| SG5841U, SG5847D, SG5851R, SG5852M, SG5856C – SG5858Y, SG5870K, SG5872E & SG5884X | SMRT Buses |
| Volvo B9TL (Wright Eclipse Gemini 2) | |
| SBS3509G, SBS3511Z, SBS3513T, SBS3514R, SG5108D – SG5118A, SG5438B – SG5440T, SG5536B, SG5537Z, SG5440M – SG5544C, SG5593K & SG5594H | Go-Ahead Singapore |
| SG5008J – SG5012X, SG5014R – SG5021U, SG5023P – SG5038Y | Tower Transit Singapore |
| Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3-Door) |
|
| SG6333M – SG6335H, SG6337C – SG6339Y, SG6342L – SG6344G, SG6347Z, SG6348X, SG6351K – SG6356Y & SG6358S – SG6365X | N.A. (Newly registered to SBS Transit) |
Single Deck
The retired Scania K230UB (Euro IV) buses are replaced by:
The bulk of the retired Scania K230UB (Euro IV) buses are replaced by 68 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses. These buses were formerly used by SMRT Buses and Task Force 50.
In October – November 2021, 19 MAN A22 Euro V (Batch 3) buses formerly with SMRT buses were leased to SBS Transit. Some of these buses retain the SMRT Pixel Livery, with SBS Transit Logos pasted on the front, side and rear of the bus. 15 of these buses were allocated to Ulu Pandan Bus Depot, while 4 units were allocated to Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot.
10 MAN A22 Euro 6 buses were leased to SBS Transit in December 2021 and were allocated to Ulu Pandan Bus Depot. These buses are relatively new, having formerly leased to Tower Transit for the start of its Tendered Package term for the Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package.
List of Single-Deck Buses to SBS Transit for Fleet Replacement (Q4 2021) (Click to expand)| Registration | Former Operator |
| MAN A22 Euro V (Batch 3) | |
| SG1703L – SG1705G, SG1709X – SG1711M, SG1713H – SG1716A, SG1722G, SG1723D, SG1738L & SG1743X – SG1746M | SMRT Buses |
| SG1747K & SG1748H | LTA Storage |
| MAN A22 Euro 6 |
|
| SG1839D, SG1847E, SG1859X, SG1860R, SG1862K – SG1867Y | LTA Storage |
| Mercedes-Benz Citaro |
|
| SG1030U – SG1050L, SG1103T, SG1104R, SG1113P, SG1143C, | SMRT Buses |
| SG1020Z – SG1022T, SG1028C, SG1029A, SG1117D – SG1119Z, SG1121R – SG1123K, SG1128Y – SG1130P, SG1134D – SG1137X, SG1142E, SG1196A, SG1198U – SG1201T, SG1209Y – SG1227U | LTA Storage |
Scania KUB is my least favourite bus model in Singapore. HOWEVER, so many other enthusiasts love them very much. The video filming enthusiast, who went to woodlands bus park, her most favourite bus model is Scania KUBs as of 2022
TBH, the Wright Eclipse is a lot newer than the CDGE. 🤔
R.I.P cdges😭 I hope Scania kub will not be next😢
Fr Volvo b9tl is getting alot of good news🥲