The Go-Ahead Singapore (GAS) Bus Carnival was held on 19th June 2016 from 10am to 4pm at the Loyang Bus Depot. It was organized by Go-Ahead Singapore, the successful tenderer of the Loyang Bus Package, which would operate 25 bus routes out of the depot, starting from September 2016.
The event provided a platform for Go-Ahead Singapore to showcase its new depot, while educating the public on what to expect when GAS takes over the bus routes from SBS Transit. In addition, static display buses will be open to public viewing, and job-seekers could sign up for job opportunities with Go Ahead Singapore as well.
Background
The Go-Ahead Group successfully entered the Singapore bus scene when it was awarded the Loyang Bus Package in November 2015. This is the second contract awarded by LTA under the Government Contracting Model (GCM), which introduced a competitive scene of bus operators bidding for various route packages and a share of the market. It previously bid for the first bus package, which was awarded to Tower Transit.
Coming September 2016, Go-Ahead Singapore will take over 24 bus routes in 2 tranches from SBS Transit, as well as the managing of Punggol and Pasir Ris Bus Interchanges. It will then operate these routes for five years, with a two-year extension granted based on good performance.
The carnival, held months prior to the start of revenue service operations, mirrors that of Tower Transit when it organized “A Bulim Carnival Day“, a similar open house.
The Depot (Main Article)
Loyang Bus Depot, which spans 8.3 ha, can accommodate about 500 buses, and similar to Bulim Bus Depot, is equipped with facilities for daily bus operations (e.g. refuelling and washing), bus repair/maintenance, and amenities for bus captains such as crew rest areas, staff lounges and a canteen. Located close to residential developments, the depot is built with a noise barrier wall along its entire perimeter.
In preparation for partial SMRT operations, two refuelling lanes and one bus wash have been reserved for SMRT Buses, along with around 109 parking lots. This arrangement will give SMRT an operating base in the East for its bus services that serve Bedok, Tampines and Changi Airport.
Programme
The Carnival showcased static displays of buses, a bus wash experience, finger food and various games and activities. Free goodie bags were given to the first 1000 visitors, and free shuttle buses operated between the depot and Pasir Ris MRT station. The official opening ceremony was held at 12:30pm, with Guests of Honour, Mr Zainal Bin Sapari, Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris – Punggol GRC and Mr David Brown, Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group.
Getting to the Carnival
Loyang Bus Depot is located at 2, Loyang Way, Singapore 508776.
The nearest bus stop to Loyang Bus Depot with public-bus connections is along Pasir Ris Drive 2. Commuters can take Bus Service 5 from Pasir Ris Bus Interchange to Pasir Ris Drive 2.
- Bus Stop 98109 – Opp Loyang Point, Pasir Ris Drive 2
Bus Services 5, 89 & 109 (Bus Service 6 does not operate on Sundays & Public Holidays) - Bus Stop 98101 – Loyang Point, Pasir Ris Drive 2
Bus Services 5, 89 & 109 (Bus Service 6 does not operate on Sundays & Public Holidays)
Shuttle Buses from Pasir Ris MRT Station will also be provided by Go-Ahead Singapore on the day of the carnival at Pasir Ris MRT Taxi Stand G22.
- From Pasir Ris MRT Station (Exit B, near Taxi Stand G22)
0945hrs – 1445hrs - From Loyang Bus Depot
1030hrs – 1600hrs
A shuttle bus service was also arranged to loop between Loyang Bus Depot and Pasir Ris MRT, picking up and dropping off participants on a rolling basis. The pick-up point at Pasir Ris was at Exit B, near Taxi Stand G22.
Volvo B9TL buses registered with the SG-prefix were used on the shuttle, featuring red and white recruitment advertisements by Go-Ahead. SG5055Y, SG5056U, SG5057S and SG5058P were deployed.
| Pasir Ris MRT | Loyang Bus Depot | |
| First Bus | 9:45am | 10:30am |
| Last Bus | 2:45pm | 4:00pm |
The Carnival
Arriving from the main entrance, the first 1000 guests were provided with a goodie bag containing a event layout map, lucky draw ticket, and coupons for food, snacks and drinks. The engineering shop of the depot was used to host the event, with the large sheltered area on the ground floor intended for maintenance work in the future.
At the carnival, there were exhibits by Go-Ahead Singapore and Volvo. A Magic Show, Balloon Extraordinaire Performance, Jigsaw challenge, Glitter tattoos, Balloon sculptures and Game booths were activities arranged for children. Participants who were present at the event at 12:30PM would have been able to watch the official opening ceremony of the Loyang Bus Depot by Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris – Punggol GRC, Mr Zainal Bin Sapari, and Group Chief Executive of The Go-Ahead Group, Mr David Brown.
Other than the main event area, participants could visit the depot canteen within the administration building for food and refreshments, and taking a bus ride through the bus wash.
What’s in the Bag?
Goodie bags were presented to the first 1000 visitors at the event. An event passport was also provided to all visitors, which can be used to redeem lunch and refreshments at noon, and completed in exchange for a chance at a lucky draw.
Items included in the goodie bag are:
- Carnival Passport
- Hand Towel
- Drinking Water
- Cap
- Hand Fan
- Hand Sanitizer
- Adhesive phone stand + card holder
- Sticky notes and page markers
- Go-Ahead Singapore stickers
Static Bus & Bus chassis displays:
Under the Government Contracting Model (GCM), Go-Ahead Singapore operates Volvo B9TL double-decker buses alongside Mercedes-Benz Citaro single-deck buses, all of which would be government assets loaned to Go-Ahead for the duration of the contract period. Only Volvo Buses set up a booth at the event.
The static displays showcased a Volvo B9TL chassis, along with revenue service-ready Volvo B9TL and three Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses, one of which was used to showcase Go-Ahead’s new employee uniforms. However, the sole Volvo B9TL on display was not open to visitors. Buses featured were SG1054B, SG1057T, SG1058R (Mercedes-Benz Citaros) and SG5054A (Volvo B9TL).
The Volvo B9TL (Wright Eclipse Gemini II bodywork) on display was registered SG5054A, built to SBS Transit’s latest “Batch 4” configuration which are also running on revenue service. This configuration featured a straight staircase (with two staircase landings) and increased legroom for the front seats of the upper deck.
Under the GCM, Volvo B9TL buses were procured by tapping into SBS Transit’s existing orders, hence retaining identical technical specifications and interior design. Just like its SBS Transit cousins, these buses were assembled using complete knock-down (CKD) kits produced by Wrightbus. They are assembled locally by ComfortDelGro Engineering, the engineering branch of SBS Transit’s parent company ComfortDelGro, at the bus assembly plant at Hougang Bus Depot.
The Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro buses on display were registered SG1054B, SG1057T & SG1058R and built to SBS Transit specifications. Under the GCM, Mercedes-Benz Citaros were procured by tapping into SBS Transit’s existing orders, hence retaining identical technical specifications and interior design. These buses were built in Germany and shipped completely-built-up to Singapore.
Depot Canteen & Admin Building
The depot canteen, located at the second floor of the depot administrative building, was open for the benefit of visitors looking for refreshments. Three stalls are operated, namely a Chinese and Malay food stall and a drinks stall, with water coolers aplenty. Natural lighting is brought into the canteen through skylights in the roof.
A small rest area is also provided at the corner of the canteen, with a few tables and sofas.
A corridor leads to many other offices and meeting rooms around the second floor of the building, which were not offered to public access. Several offices, including the Operations Control Centre, was arranged only with basic furniture and appeared to be unfitted.
Bus Wash Tour
A tour of the bus washing area was organised with one Volvo B9TL bus, SG5053C, and one Mercedes-Benz Citaro, SG1053D, offering the bus wash experience onboard either a single or double decker bus. Both buses featured red and white recruitment advertisements by Go-Ahead.
Upon the end of their shift, bus captains returning to the depot would hand over their buses a specialised team of staff called shunters, which would perform the refuelling, washing and parking duties of incoming buses. This is similar to Tower Transit operations and in contrast to SBS Transit and SMRT, where these duties would have normally been carried out by bus captains.
Designed for ten buses at a time, the refuelling area has ten lanes to top up buses with diesel after a long day on the road. After refueling, buses head straight for the bus wash. Four automatic bus washing machines rinse off dust and dirt accumulated after a day of operation on the roads. Finally, buses would be parked throughout the depot. The Loyang Depot Bus Wash Tour did not feature the refuelling areas.
In preparation for SMRT operations, two refuelling lanes and one bus wash have been reserved for SMRT, along with around 109 parking lots.
Official Opening Ceremony & Depot Offices
The official opening ceremony of the Loyang Bus Depot was held at 12:30PM, with the Guest of Honours being Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris – Punggol GRC, Mr Zainal Bin Sapari, and Group Chief Executive of The Go-Ahead Group, Mr David Brown. A lion dance performance accompanied the event.
Read Mr Zainal Bin Sapari’s speech here.
After the Opening Ceremony, visitors were able to take a visit the Go-Ahead offices.
Other Booths
Apart from game and activity booths, a recruitment booth was also set up and manned by Go-Ahead staff.
Other Depot Facilities
Land Transport Guru would like to express our sincerest gratitude and thanks to Go-Ahead Singapore for organizing the event
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If GAS decided not to carry on with operation in 2021,Then other multi modal european operators should replace them and not SBST or SMRT please.
Over the years they have shown improvement but again they’re taking in many ex-SBST staffs which is not a good idea to think of.They also need to stop engaging Moove Media as their advertising partners and use Media Taurus or Clear Channel.As much as i hope TTS to win both SBW-YIS & BLM,I hope GAS will bag both SKG-HGN & LYG as well as winning either JUW or CLE in future
I foresee that SMRT AMDEP will majority control service 67,969 and take minor duties of service 858 to do overnight parking at Loyang.Cant rule out 61 & 854 though since they’re allocated to refuel and bus wash there too.Only repairs will be done at Ang Mo Kio depot.
If SMRT is awarded the Seletar Bus Package, we could not rule out 24, 76 and 135 too, as they also serve the eastern part of Singapore.
If it goes to Go-Ahead, however, part of the fleet for 85 and 136 may be transferred there, since they also serve Yishun and Ang Mo Kio respectively.
Go-Ahead can do it just like in London! Go Ahead!
Go Ahead can do it
We’ll see. Go-Ahead!