Seletar Bus Package

The Seletar Bus Package is one of fourteen bus packages under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM).

Under the BCM, bus routes are bundled into bus packages, consisting of a single bus depot, several bus interchanges/terminals, the bus routes and the buses themselves. With all bus infrastructure belonging to the Government, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would contract out the bus package, select a bus operator (through a competitive tendering process), and lease these assets to the new operator.

The successful tenderer operates these bus routes and collects fares on behalf of LTA, while maintaining the associated bus infrastructure (buses & onboard equipment, depots, interchanges & terminals). In return, the operator is awarded an operating fee from LTA and potential bonuses via an incentive framework.

BCM Negotiated Contract

Bus services within the Seletar Bus Package were formerly operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Buses. At the start of the Bus Contracting Model, both incumbent operators continued to operate these bus services under a Negotiated Contract basis from September 2016 to March 2018:

• Operated by SBS Transit (PT204):
  24, 70/70M, 71, 76, 130, 133, 135, 138, 162/162M, 261, 262, 265, 268 & 269
• Operated by SMRT Buses (PT214):
  800, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 811, 812, 850E, 851, 852 & 860

The first tendered contract for Seletar Bus Package was awarded to SBS Transit in 2017, which took over all assigned bus routes in March 2018.

SBS Transit continued operating bus services for the second Tendered Package term for the Seletar Bus Package as the awarded operator.

Refer to Page 3 for the Seletar Bus Package – Negotiated Contract term (Sep 2016 – Mar 2018).

PT219 – Seletar Bus Package (2nd Tendered Term: Mar 2025 to 2030):

The second term tendered contract for the Seletar Bus Package was put up for tender on 30 October 2023 under Contract PT219: Bus Contracting – Seletar Bus Package. Seletar Bus Pacakge awarded to SBS Transit Ltd on 19 July 2024.

The commencement date of 16 March 2025 for the second tendered contract term was first mentioned by SBS Transit in its 1st Quarter 2024 Business Update report.

Contract Details (2nd Tendered Package Term):

Bid Prices

The awarded tenderer and associated contract sums (SBS Transit Ltd – Alternate Bid) are highlighted in red.

Contract Award:

Tender submissions were evaluated based on a two-envelope process looking at quality and price factors. The price submissions were only opened after the quality evaluation was completed, ensuring that the best value-for-money proposal was selected without compromising on quality.

On 19 July 2024, LTA announced that SBS Transit Ltd was awarded the second tendered term for the Seletar Bus Package. Reasons for the award to SBS Transit were:

• Highest total score for their proposal after taking into account both quality and price factors
• Inclusion of initiatives that would help to raise standards for the public bus industry as a whole, such as:
  • Collaboration with Singapore Bus Academy to set up Singapore’s first electric bus satellite training centre at Seletar Bus Depot to better prepare the bus workforce for the transition towards the electrification of our public bus fleet.
    • Adoption of mixed reality technology for training
    • Supporting eBus deployments in Singapore, including optimising the use of electric batteries for buses
  • Installation of smart systems that track operational information and utilities usage in their premises, to improve productivity and contribute to sustainability.
  • A Sign Language Virtual Assistant and school-friendly bus service, which have since been piloted at Ang Mo Kio bus interchange to foster an inclusive transport experience.

Bus Services:

Short Trip & Supplementary Bus Services

These services do not add to the overall service count.

Bus Models:

SBS Transit operates a fleet of the following bus models under the Seletar Bus Package (PT219):

Single Deck Buses

• BYD K9
• MAN A22 (Euro V)
• MAN A22 (Euro 6)
• Mercedes-Benz Citaro
• Scania K230UB (Euro V)

Double Decker Buses

• MAN A95 (Euro V)
  
• MAN A95 (Euro 6)
• Volvo B9TL

Articulated Buses

• MAN A24

Transition Dates:

With SBS Transit already operating all the Seletar Bus Package services under the 1st Tendered Package Term, all bus services transitioned to the 2nd Tendered Package Term contract with no change in operator on 16 March 2025.

Service Changes:

Compared to the previous tendered package terms, changes to existing bus services effective March 2025 include:

• New Short Trip Service 71A
• Discontinuation of Short Trip Service 138B
• New Supplementary Bus Service 138M
• Shortening of Short Trip Service 138A to start from Springleaf MRT on Weekdays

Scope of Operations:

As part of the tender, the awarded operator would be required to fulfil responsibilities as such:

1. Operate bus services under the bus package in accordance with specified EWT performance standards
2. Operate and maintain the buses and their onboard equipment provided by LTA
3. Operate and maintain the allocated Anchor Bus Interchanges & Bus Depot, including all equipment and systems provided therein
4. Charge and collect the fares approved by the Public Transport Council, on behalf of the Government
5. Provide bus service information at all bus stops and bus interchanges served by the bus services under the package
6. Provide customer management services, such as lost and found service, and a hotline for commuter feedback and enquiries.

Seletar Bus Package – Second Tendered Package Term (PT219) Timeline

• 2025 (16 Mar): Commencement of the second tendered package term of the Seletar Bus Package (Contract PT219)

External Links & References:

• SBS Transit Ltd to Continue Operating Seletar Bus Package – Land Transport Authority

Back to Bus Contracting Model

Page 2 – Seletar Bus Package 1st Tendered Package Term (PT202: 2018 – 2025)
Page 3 – Seletar Bus Package Negotiated Contract (PT204 & PT214: 2016 – 2018)