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: