NTWU Coffee Bus Mobile Canteen and Exhibition

The NTWU Coffee Bus is a mobile canteen and exhibition initiative launched by the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) in May 2025, showcasing the history of NTWU Canteens from the 1970s to the present day.

The history of the Coffee Bus traces back to the 1970s, when they were introduced to bus termini around Singapore, such as Toa Payoh, Commonwealth Avenue and Changi Point. As there were no physical canteens at these locations for bus conductors and drivers to dine at, these buses became dining and social spaces before permanent canteens were constructed.

In the present day, the NTWU Coffee Bus unveiled in 2025 was a repurposed Scania K230UB (Euro V) bus owned by SBS Transit, which was previously used as the SBS Transit CARES Community Bus. The bus featured a green and white livery, seemingly inspired by the restored Singapore Traction Company Mock-Up Bus. Following the event, the bus was restored to its original role as the SBS Transit CARES Community Bus.

In November 2026, a Mercedes-Benz Citaro (SMB141L) was converted into a new NTWU Coffee Bus to commemorate the 45th anniversary of NTWU Canteens. The bus was launched during Public Transport Workers’ Appreciation Day 2026.

NTWU Coffee Bus — Nov–Dec 2026

Following its launch at Public Transport Workers’ Appreciation Day 2026, the NTWU Coffee Bus (Mercedes-Benz Citaro, SMB141L) is scheduled to be deployed at the following locations:

Date	Time	Location
7 Nov 2026	0900-1600	Hillion Mall (Launch Event)
12 Nov 2026	1030-1200	Tampines Bus Interchange
13 Nov 2026	1200-1400	Jurong Port (W11A eveas, Mainland)*
13 Nov 2026	1400-1600	Jurong Port (CTO Office, Pulau Damar Laut)*
14 Nov 2026	1030-1230	Punggol Bus Interchange
17 Nov 2026	0900-1000	Mandai Rail Depot (Admin Building)*
17 Nov 2026	1000-1100	Mandai Rail Depot (Main Workshop Carpark)*
19 Nov 2026	0400-0600	Sengkang West Bus Depot*
19 Nov 2026	1000-1100	Pasir Ris Bus Interchange
20 Nov 2026	1000-1200	Bukit Batok Bus Interchange
20 Nov 2026	1400-1600	Gali Batu Rail Depot*
23 Nov 2026	1000-1200	Bishan Rail Depot*
24 Nov 2026	1000-1200	Buangkok Bus Interchange
24 Nov 2026	1400-1600	Sengkang Rail Depot*
26 Nov 2026	0400-0600	East Coast Bus Depot*
29 Nov 2026	0400-0600	Ulu Pandan Bus Depot*
29 Nov 2026	1100-1230	Boon Lay Bus Interchange
3 Dec 2026	0400-0600	Hougang Bus Depot*
3 Dec 2026	0700-0900	Kim Chuan Rail Depot*
3 Dec 2026	1230-1430	Toa Payoh Bus Interchange
4 Dec 2026	1030-1230	Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange
4 Dec 2026	1400-1600	Sembawang Bus Interchange
7 Dec 2026	1030-1230	Jurong East Bus Interchange
7 Dec 2026	1400-1600	Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange

* These exhibition sites are not open for public.

Interior Exhibits

All seats were removed from the bus, leaving a bare interior. Several exhibits were displayed, including old bus driver uniforms, paper tickets, and an old fare machine.

Like the SBS Transit CARES Community Bus, a diesel generator is fitted to the rear section of the bus, allowing the lights and air-conditioning to run independently of the engine. Two air-conditioning fan coil units were installed at the front and rear of the cabin respectively. A new bulkhead separates the passenger cabin from the rear diesel generator.

Exterior

The roof of the bus fits a signboard advertising NTWU’s 45th anniversary on the offside, and a “NTWU is 45” letter signboard on the nearside.

NTWU Coffee Bus — May–Jun 2025

Exhibited from May to June 2025, this NTWU Coffee Bus was a repurposed Scania K230UB (Euro V) bus owned by SBS Transit, called the SBS Transit CARES Community Bus and registered PD1545C. Following the event, the bus was restored to its original role as the SBS Transit CARES Community Bus.

Exhibition Dates

NTWU Coffee Bus Exhibition Dates (May-Jun 2025)

In celebration of SG60 and May Day, the NTWU Coffee Bus will be on a roving exhibition on the following dates:

Date	Time	Location
14 May 2025	1230-1430	Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Launch Event)
15 May 2025	0830-1030	Bishan Train Depot*
15 May 2025	1230-1430	Sembawang Bus Interchange
16 May 2025	0830-1030	Sengkang Train Depot*
16 May 2025	1230-1430	Punggol Bus Interchange
21 May 2025	0430-0630	Ulu Pandan Bus Depot*
22 May 2025	0430-0630	Woodlands Bus Depot*
23 May 2025	1230-1430	Bukit Merah Bus Interchange
28 May 2025	1230-1430	Loyang Bus Depot*
29 May 2025	1230-1430	Boon Lay Bus Interchange
30 May 2025	1230-1430	Tampines Bus Interchange
02 June 2025	1230-1430	Bukit Batok Bus Interchange