Rationalisation of Bus Service Operations (2019 – 2024)

Rationalisation of bus services are carried out by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to optimize service levels offered by Singapore’s public transport network. These efforts include the reduction of operating frequency or operating hours of certain bus services, or the merger and withdrawal of certain bus services that suffer from low demand.

Under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), the LTA assumes the role of a central planning agency, and decides on bus services to be provided, and the service standards which operators have to meet. As part of this responsibility, public transport connections that are duplicitous or underutilized are rationalised to optimise the usage of resources and cut down on financially unsustainable services.

Historically, large-scale rationalisation of bus services were conducted following the opening of new rail lines to avoid duplication. In modern times, rationalisation of bus services are more restrained and generally targeted at the most underutilized bus routes.

This article summarises these changes to bus services since the start of 2019, and will be updated with instances of upcoming announced bus service rationalisations where implemented.

---

---

Service 902 – Reduction in Operating Hours

Operating hours for SMRT Feeder Bus Service 902, which serves Republic Polytechnic, were reduced by 1 hour from 8 April 2024.

On operating days (weekdays during Republic Polytechnic school term), operating hours were reduced from 07:30–10:00 (3.5 hours) to 07:45–09:15 (2.5 hours).

---

Thomson-East Coast Line 3 Bus Service Rationalisations

Main Article, including withdrawn posters: Thomson-East Coast Line 3 Bus Service Changes

Bus service rationalizations for the Thomson-East Coast Line 3 took effect on Sunday, 17 December 2023.

• Service 75 amended from Gali Batu ↔ Marina Centre to Gali Batu ↔ Bukit Merah
  
• Service 121 amended from Kampong Bahru ↺ Telok Blangah Rise to Shenton Way ↺ Telok Blangah Rise, covering the lost sector of Service 75 along Cantonment Road and Cantonment Link
• Service 162 shortened from Yio Chu Kang ↔ Shenton Way to Yio Chu Kang ↺ Sin Ming Drive, via Marymount MRT and Shunfu Road
• Service 162M withdrawn
• Service 167 will operate at 30-minute frequencies daily
• Service 859 amended to Canberra Link & part of Sembawang Road, serving Bukit Canberra
• Service 980 frequency enhanced – First bus timing from Sembawang Int brought forward, Last bus timing towards Sembawang at Thomson Rd (Bus Stop 50031 – Opp Novena Ch) to be later & increased frequency

The LTA initially planned to withdraw Bus Service 167, and all bus service changes were due to take effect on 10 December 2023.

However, in response to negative public sentiment, the LTA backtracked on its decision to withdraw Service 167 and would retain it at 30-minute intervals. Planned amendments to other bus routes, namely 75, 121, 162/M and 859, were also delayed by a week to 17 December 2023 instead.

Posters:

---

Reduction of Morning Peak trips for City Direct 665 & Express 951E (May 2023)

From 29 May 2023, one morning peak trip was cut from both City Direct 665 & Express 951E, which connect Woodlands and the CBD. This was possibly due to the opening of Thomson-East Coast Line 3 back in November 2022.

---

Reduction in Operating Hours for Express Bus Services (Apr 2023)

Operating hours for Express 12e, 851e & 960e were further reduced in April 2023. This is the 4th instance of trip reduction since their introduction in 2018.

---

Withdrawal of selected Supplementary Bus Services (Dec 2022)

In December 2022, Bus Services 131M & 139M were withdrawn.

---

Withdrawal of Night and Leisure Bus Services (Jun 2022)

See also: Withdrawal of Night and Leisure Bus Services | Land Transport Guru

Night and leisure bus services that were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 and had yet to resume as of end-June 2022, were formally withdrawn on 30 June 2022.

These are:

• Chinatown Direct: CT8, CT18
• NightRider services: NR1, NR2, NR3, NR5, NR6, NR8
• Nite Owl services: 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N
• Resorts World Sentosa services: 188R, 963R
• Weekend: Bus Service 926

---

Changes to Express Bus Services (Jan 2022)

In January 2022, changes to several express bus services were made.

Service Withdrawals – Express 74e & 151e

Express Bus Services 74e & 151e were withdrawn on 17 January 2022.

Reinstatement of Express 12e & 43e

Previously suspended from 16 September 2021 due to the COVID-19 impact on Manpower, Go-Ahead Express Bus Services 12e & 43e were reinstated from 16 January & 17 January 2022 respectively.

However, the service timetable was adjusted for fewer trips on Express 12e with up to 1 hour frequency during selected hours. Operating hours for Express 43e were reduced with the last two morning peak & first two evening peak trips cut.

Change in Timetable – Express 851e & 960e

From 16 January 2022, fewer trips of Express 851e & 960e would be operated, with up to 1-hour frequencies during selected hours.

---

Official Statistics

There are no official statistics on the number of bus services that have been rationalised.

In response to media queries from TODAY, an LTA spokesperson did not provide figures but said that the authority “periodically reviews and makes adjustments” to Singapore’s bus network in response to “new developments and changing travel patterns”.

• The Big Read: The romance and practical appeal of bus rides, and the special place they hold in Singaporeans’ hearts – TODAY (todayonline.com) [Published 8 Dec 2023]

---

Changes between 2019-2021 on Page 2:

• Downtown Line 3 Bus Service Rationalisations
• Reduction in Trips for Express Bus Services – Express 12e, 851e & 960e
• Express 167e
• Downtown Line 2 Bus Service Rationalisations
• Bus Service 128
• Short Trip Service 117B
• Rationalisation of Full-Day Express services
• Service BPS1
• Post On-Demand Public Bus Trial Rationalisation
• Service 163M
• City Direct Services