Fast-Forward Services (also abbreviated as FFW) are limited-stop express routes introduced by SBS Transit and introduced since 2005, charging Express fares.
Fast-Forward services reduce travel time by skipping bus stops along selected stretches of their parent route, occasionally plying different stretches of road within their express sector for faster journeys. They also charge Express fares, which are more than Basic fares due to their specialised catchment areas and hence decreased total passenger loading compared to a non-express route. However, many passengers are willing to pay a premium for added convenience, reduced travel time, and reduced passenger loading (in general) on these services.
On 12 August 2018, as part of a renaming exercise to consolidate Express routes, all of SBS Transit’s Fast-Forward Routes were rebranded as Express Routes with no change in operational details. The renaming exercise brought an end to the Fast-Forward category of bus services.
Brief History:
The first route, Fast-Forward 97e, was introduced on 3 January 2005. More routes were introduced in same the following year, bringing the total to 9 FFW services. Fast-Forward routes are designated with the lowercase letter “e” suffix at the back of the parent route number.
Although some trunk routes also contain limited-stop sectors (such as 128), Fast-Forward bus services fall under a different classification.
For distinction, SBS Transit uses a stylised Fast-Forward label on their plastic route destination plates and front electronic displays.
On 12 Jun 2016, Fast-Forward 97e was transferred to Tower Transit under the Bulim Bus Package, subsequently dropping the Fast-Forward branding. Branded as a limited-stop express service, the route and timings remained unchanged.
On 12 Aug 2018, the Fast-Forward branding was dropped and the services renamed as Express Bus Services.
List of Fast-Forward Services:
| Bus Services | Introduced | Route |
| Fast-Forward 10e | 19 Sep 2005 | Bedok Road  ⇆  Shenton Way / Anson Road Skips stops along Tanjong Katong Rd, Old Airport Rd & Nicoll Highway |
| Fast-Forward 14e | 12 Dec 2005 | Bedok North Avenue 3  ⇆  Orchard Road Skips stops along Bedok Rd / Upp East Coast Rd, Mountbatten Rd & Nicoll Highway |
| Fast-Forward 30e | 19 Sep 2005 | Bedok Interchange  ⇆  Pasir Panjang Road (Heng Mui Keng Terr) Skips stops along Changi Rd/Sims Ave East, Tg Katong Rd, Keppel Rd (via Keppel Viaduct), Telok Blangah Rd & Pasir Panjang Rd |
| Fast-Forward 74e | 18 Dec 2006 | Hougang Central Interchange  ⇆  Buona Vista Terminal Skips stops along Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, Upp Thomson Rd, Lornie Rd, Adam Rd, Bt Timah Rd/Dunearn Rd, Dover Ave, Dover Rd & Nth Buona Vista Rd |
| Fast-Forward 89e | 19 Sep 2005 | Hougang Central Interchange  ⇆  Changi Airfreight Terminal Skips all stops within Pasir Ris, and some stops along Loyang Ave & Nicoll Dr |
| Fast-Forward 97e | 3 Jan 2005 | Jurong East Interchange  ⇆  Marina Centre Terminal Skips stops along AYE and Telok Blangah Rd. Operated by Tower Transit since 12 Jun 2016. |
| Fast-Forward 147e | 28 Jan 2018 | Clarke Quay ↔ Clementi Interchange Skips stops along Jalan Bukit Merah |
| Fast-Forward 151e | 18 Dec 2006 | Hougang Central Interchange  ⇆  Kent Ridge Terminal Skips stops along Airport Rd/MacPherson Rd, Bt Timah Rd |
| Fast-Forward 174e | 28 Mar 2005 | Boon Lay Interchange  ⇆  New Bridge Road Terminal Skips stops along Jurong Rd, Dunearn Rd/Bt Timah Rd, Farrer Rd & Holland Rd |
| Fast-Forward 196e | 12 Dec 2005 | Marine Parade Road  ⇆  Shenton Way / Anson Road Skips stops along Mountbatten Rd & Nicoll Highway |
Fares:
Fast-Forward services charge Express fares based on the current distance-based fare scheme (DBF) for Express routes. Refer to Bus Fares.
Operating Hours:
Most Fast-Forward services operate trips during AM and PM Peak periods on Weekdays, excluding Public Holidays. On special occasions such as Christmas Eve or New Years’ Eve which fall on a weekday, PM Peak trips may be brought forward to operate between 1 pm and 2 pm.
In 2018, Fast Forward 147e was introduced, operating daily.
Gallery
External Links & References:
Why must rebrand one?
Why no ”5e?” If can give us service 5e.
why is 30E now not using Keppel viaduct instead going on the signal road below..so much time is lost