SMRT Buses Express Service 868E is a morning peak Express Bus Service route connecting residential areas of Bukit Gombak, Bukit Batok West, and Toh Guan, with the Central Business District and Suntec City.
→ Aft Promenade Stn Exit C
| Route Overview | ||||||||||||
Route  |
Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 (Blk 347) → Temasek Avenue (Aft Promenade Stn Exit C) | |||||||||||
| Passes Through | Bukit Batok West Ave 7, Bukit Batok West Ave 2, Bukit Batok West Ave 6, Toh Guan Rd, Robinson Rd | |||||||||||
| Route Length | 23.2 km | |||||||||||
| Travelling Time | 66 mins | |||||||||||
| Operator Information | ||||||||||||
| BCM Route Package | Choa Chu Kang–Bukit Panjang Bus Package | |||||||||||
| Current Operator | SMRT Buses Ltd | |||||||||||
| Current Depot | Gali Batu Bus Depot | |||||||||||
| Current Fleet | Double-deck buses | |||||||||||
| Operating Hours | ||||||||||||
| Departure Times from Bukit Batok West Ave 5 |
Weekdays, except Public Holidays | |||||||||||
| 07:30 – 07:45 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Frequency | ||||||||||||
| From Bukit Batok West Ave 5 |
15 mins | |||||||||||
| Fare Information |
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| Fare | Charges express distance fares |
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Express Service 868E provides residents of Bukit Gombak, Bukit Batok West and Toh Guan with a direct bus connection to offices in the Central Business District and the Marina Centre area. The route plies express along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), offering comparable journey times to taking a feeder bus and connecting to the MRT network. This service also charges express fares.
SMRT Buses launched the route on 28 September 2010, as Express Service 868, citing its support of the Government’s effort to make public transport a choice mode for commuters. At the time, most Heartlands—CBD express bus options were offered by Premium Buses that charged higher fares. Concurrently, under the Quarterly Review of Bus Services, LTA and PTOs were identifying and increasing capacity on bus routes with heavy ridership, with the later introduction of Express Service 971E under similar circumstances. LTA would later introduce many more such Express bus services under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP) beginning in 2012.
Double-deck buses were deployed from 11 August 2015 to cope with rising demand.
Renumbering
On 13 August 2018, Service 868 was renumbered to Service 868E.
Express 868E would be renumbered to City Direct 647 from 15 June 2026, with an additional morning trip and 2 new return trips.
The last day of service will be on Friday 12 June 2026.
MRT Stations Served
- EW15 Tanjong Pagar
- EW14NS26 Raffles Place
- CC3 Esplanade
- CC4DT15 Promenade
Departure Timings
Weekdays except Public Holidays
- Morning Peak from Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 (Blk 347):
07:30 & 07:45
Gallery:
Poster Gallery:
Operator History:
- 28 Sep 2010 – 12 Jun 2026: SMRT Buses Ltd
Route History:
- 2010 (28 Sep): Introduced from Bt Batok West Ave 5 (Blk 347) to Temasek Ave (Opp Millenia Twr) as a peak hour one-directional service during weekday mornings, numbered Service 868
- 2017 (17 Sep): Designated wheelchair-accessible bus service (WAB)
- 2018 (09 Apr): Serves 2 additional bus stops opposite HomeTeamNS and outside Blk 334 along Bt Batok West Ave 7
- 2018 (13 Aug): Renumbered to Express 868E from Express 868
- 2020 (08 Apr – 01 Jun): Temporarily suspended due to Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.
- 2026 (15 Jun): Renumbered to City Direct 647 with an additional morning trip and 2 new evening trips
Past Routings:
- 2010: Bt Batok West Ave 5, Bt Batok West Ave 7, Bt Batok West Ave 4, Bt Batok West Ave 2, Bt Batok West Ave 3, Bt Batok West Ave 6, Bt Batok Ave 1, Jurong East Ctrl, Toh Guan Rd, Jurong East St 11, Jurong Town Hall Rd, AYE, Keppel Rd, Anson Rd, Robinson Rd, Collyer Quay, Fullerton Rd, Esplanade Dr, Nicoll Highway, Raffles Blvd, Temasek Blvd and Temasek Ave.
Back to Express Bus Services
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Dear Bt Batok & Bt Gombak Residents!
I am suggesting this route to LTA & SMRT for their review of starting the service from Gali Batu towards Bt Panjang/Bt Gombak, Bt Batok East & West, CBD and loops at Park St. Therefore, I would like to heard your views and below the routes for Service 888.
Service 888 (Renumbered from Svc 868E)
Gali Batu – Bt Panjang/Bt Gombak Stn – Bt Batok East/West – Park St (Loop)
Gali Batu via
Jln Gali Batu/Woodlands/Upp Bt Timah Rd,
Hillview Rd/Ave, Bt Batok East Ave 2/5,
Bt Batok West Ave 5/7/4/2/3/6, Bt Batok Ave 1,
Jurong East Ctrl, Toh Guan Rd,
Jurong Town Hall Rd, AYE/Keppel Rd (Express),
Anson/Robinson/Fullerton Rd, Esplanade Dr,
Temasek Blvd/Ave, Bayfront Ave, Park St (Loop)
All comments are welcome!
Should convert this service into a full 24 hour bus service on Weekdays, Weekends & PHs and renumber back to 868 or 871
Bukit Batok Bus Interchange to Marina Centre Bus Terminal
Also extend to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange passing via Bukit Batok East Ave 2,5, Bukit Gombak MRT, Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, 7, 4, 2, 3 & 6, Bukit Batok Ave 1, Jurong East Central, Toh Guan Road, Jurong East Street 11, Jurong Town Hall Road, AYE, Keppel Road, Shenton Way Area, Esplanade Drive & Raffles Boulevard
Cool idea but 871 has already been taken, so it just becomes 868
Change to 658 better. Fit with the rest of the city-directs.
Alr have 77
Should become a trunk route as it must extend to its nearby interchange and become full day trunk route or in the future. Maybe not…
Yes it would be great if it becomes a trunk route
Become trunk and renumber 878 start from Tengah and terminate at MCT. Current express version this becomes 878E.
61 and 868 better to be under Bulim while 991 better to be under CCK.
991 already under CCK Package already. For 61 & 868 likely no
61 and 984 actually can switch packages.
Also, if SMB win Serangoon 61 can move there too