(Defunct) Premium Bus Service 553

Premium Bus Service 553 is a Premium service operated by APT Travel from Tampines Avenue 9 to Fullerton Road. The route passes through Tampines Avenue 7, 4 and 5, ECP and Robinson Road, operating one trip in the morning.

Premium 553 was withdrawn in February 2021 (Removal of bus service number from bus stop pole)

553
Tampines Ave 9 → Fullerton Rd
75279
Opp Blk 721
Tampines Ave 9
76549
Opp Citylife @ Tampines
Tampines Ave 9
76369
Blk 496F
Tampines Ave 9
76359
Blk 493B
Tampines Ave 9
76229
Opp Tampines East Stn
Tampines Ave 7
76219
Blk 230E
Tampines Ave 7
76209
Blk 233
Tampines Ave 7
76149
Opp Tampines Stn/Int
Tampines Ave 4
76139
Opp Century Sq
Tampines Ave 4
76069
Blk 147
Tampines Ave 5
03111
Aft Capital Twr
Robinson Rd
03071
Opp SO Sofitel S’pore
Robinson Rd
03031
Raffles Pl Stn Exit F
Robinson Rd
03011
Fullerton Sq
Fullerton Rd

 

 

Technical Information
Route Tampines Avenue 9 (Opp Blk 721) → Fullerton Road (Fullerton Sq)
Passes Through Tampines Ave 7, Tampines Ave 4, Robinson Rd
Travelling Time 60 mins
Operator Information
Current Operator APT Travel Pte Ltd
Departure Times from Tampines Ave 9
0743hrs (Weekdays, except Public Holidays)
Fare Flat Fare: $4.50
(EZ Link / NETS Flashpay Card / Cash)
Transfer rebates & concessionary travel are not applicable.

Premium 553 serves the housing estates of Tampines Neighborhoods 1, 2, 4 and 9 with bus connections to the CBD, eliminating the hassle of transferring between different modes of transport. One of three former SBS Transit Premium services in Tampines, it provides a more convenient alternative route for residents who would otherwise rely on feeder buses and the MRT to reach the city.

In 2018, the route was extended along Tampines Avenue 9, with a revision in departure timing.

Departure Timing

Weekdays, except Public Holidays

  • From Tampines Ave 9 (Opp Blk 721): 0743hrs
Fare

Flat fare of $4.50.
Transfer rebates & concessionary travel are not applicable.


Operator History
  • 1 Apr 2008 – 30 Dec 2016: SBS Transit Ltd
  • 3 Jan 2017 onwards: APT Travel Pte Ltd
History
  • 2008 (1 Apr): Introduced as a Premium Service from Tampines Ave 9 → Fullerton Rd, with one trip departing at 0745hrs. Charges a flat fare of $3.60
  • 2009 (01 Apr): Fare temporarily lowered to $3.40
  • 2010 (01 Jul): Fare reinstated to $3.60
  • 2011 (08 Nov): Fare increased to $3.80
  • 2013 (29 Dec): Express sector diverted to Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) from ECP
  • 2014 (04 Aug): Fare revised to $4.50
  • 2014 (28 Sep): Route Amendments in Marina South Area; Express sector amended to Maxwell Road after MCE instead of Prince Edward Rd.
  • 2016 (28 Mar): Designated wheelchair-accessible bus route (WAB)
  • 2017 (03 Jan): Operations transferred to APT Travel Pte Ltd. No longer wheelchair accessible.
  • 2018 – Extended along Tampines Ave 9
  • 2021 (Feb): Withdrawn
Gallery

External Links & References:

 

One thought on “(Defunct) Premium Bus Service 553

  • 21 March 2017 at 3:05 AM
    Permalink

    Hi, is this service still operational in Tampines particulary the stop opposite Tampines interchange?

    Reply

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