Go-Ahead Group has been awarded a two-year extension to its operating contract as part of the Loyang Bus Package. The United Kingdom-based transport operator was originally awarded a five-year contract starting in September 2016, and with this extension, Go-Ahead Singapore will continue operating the Loyang Bus Package till September 2023.
The contract extension was announced on 26 August 2020. The Loyang Bus Package was the second set of bus services to put up for tender under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) granted this two-year extension on the basis of strong operational performance.
Background
Under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), Go-Ahead Group was awarded the Loyang Bus Package on 23 November 2015, and commenced revenue bus operations in September 2016, taking over 24 existing bus routes from incumbent SBS Transit.
The bus package contract involves the operation of bus services for a period of 5 years, with an optional 2 years extension which could be granted by LTA.
With this announcement, LTA has exercised its option for Go-Ahead Singapore to continue its operations under the Loyang Bus Package for another 2 years, after which the bus package would be tendered out.
It is noted that LTA did not exercise its contract extension option for Bulim Bus Package under Tower Transit Singapore, in which the bus package was tendered out along with the Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package in November 2019. Results had yet to be announced as of this article’s publication (August 2020) – Tower Transit later secured both route packages.
Bus Services & Fleet
Go-Ahead Singapore operates 28 bus routes, mainly based out of Pasir Ris and Punggol Bus Interchanges. All buses are based at Loyang Bus Depot. In addition, it also operates 2 City Direct Bus Services.
The company operates the following bus models leased from the LTA:
- Volvo B9TL Wright Double Deck bus
- Mercedes-Benz Citaro Single Deck bus
- MAN A95Â Double Deck bus
- MAN A22Â Single Deck Bus
- Yutong E12Â Electric Single Deck Bus
- Yutong E12DDÂ Electric Double Deck Bus
Go-Ahead formerly operated a BYD K9 Electric Bus as part of a six-month trial initiated by the LTA.
Gallery: Bus Models operated by Go-Ahead Singapore under Loyang Bus Package
I strongly believe that the Sengkang-Hougang package will go to GAS as to keep GAS operation in Singapore for a longer period.In 2023,They will lose Loyang to either SMRT or SBST but they will win CCK-BPJ.
In 2023 there’s 6 bus package to take note of.
1>Seletar
2>Bedok
3>Choa Chu Kang-Bukit Panjang
4>Woodlands
5>Loyang
6>Bukit Merah
We minus no 6 because of status-quo
Bedok, CCK and Woodlands will be farmed out for the first time.
GAS contract expire Sept 21 but LTA already announced by giving them 2 years extension but Sembawang-Yishun this Sept haven’t annouced yet and so is Bulim.
Depends on performance of the operator. GA was awarded 2 year extension base on its improvements to service levels.
So will it be farmed out with Seletar, Bukit Merah, Bedok and CCK packages in 2023? Are all operators whose contracts are expiring from 2021 onwards, starting with Hougang, gonna be extended?
Sengkang-Hougang doesn’t get extension yet
I hope Loyang and Hougang get operated by Go-Ahead. Easier to do global running for bus routs like 136. Makes a lot of sense for HGDEP to control majority of 136 shifts.
Woodlands Package too