From Sunday, 9 February 2020, operating hours for Express Bus Services 12e, 167e, 851e & 960e will be reduced, while Express 147e will be withdrawn.
Background
In 2018 & 2019, several Express route variants of trunk services were launched under the Bus Contracting Model. These limited-stop express routes serve as a “Fast Forward” variant of their parent bus services and incorporate an express sector on expressways, which enabled commuters to save time in their commute.
With the exception of Express 43e which only operates in one direction during weekday peak hours and was launched in September 2019, all other express services launched in 2018 operated bidirectionally daily.
The reduction of operating hours for these express services could be attributed to low demand for these services on the other direction during peak hours, such as express services from the City to the Heartlands during weekday morning peak hours.
Reduction in Operating Hours for affected Express Bus Services
Go-Ahead Express 12e
From 9 February 2020, daily trips of Go-Ahead Express 12e from Pasir Ris will operate till 1830hrs, while trips from Kampong Bahru will start from 1230hrs. In addition, the trip departure timings will also be adjusted.
| Go-Ahead Express 12e | Existing Operating Hours (Till 8 Feb 2020) |
Operating Hours from 9 Feb 2020 |
| From Pasir Ris Bus Interchange | 0600hrs — 2200hrs (Daily) | 0600hrs — 1830hrs (Daily) |
| From Kampong Bahru Bus Terminal | 0730hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) | 1230hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) |
SMRT Express 167e
From 9 February 2020, SMRT Express 167e will be adjusted to operate only on Weekdays, except Public Holidays. As such, Express 167e will not operate on Sunday, 9 February 2020 itself.
On Weekdays, except Public Holidays, trips from Sembawang will operate till 1830hrs, while trips from Anson Road will start from 1230hrs.
In addition, the trip departure timings will also be adjusted.
| SMRT Express 167e | Existing Operating Hours (Till 8 Feb 2020) |
Operating Hours from 9 Feb 2020 |
| From Sembawang Bus Interchange | 0600hrs — 2200hrs (Daily) | 0600hrs — 1830hrs (Weekdays, except Public Holidays) |
| From Tanjong Pagar Stn Exit C, Anson Road | 0730hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) | 1230hrs — 2330hrs (Weekdays, except Public Holidays) |
SBS Transit Express 851e
From 9 February 2020, daily trips of SBS Transit Express 851e from Yishun will operate till 1830hrs, while trips from Eu Tong Sen Street will start from 1230hrs. In addition, the trip departure timings will also be adjusted.
| SBS Transit Express 851e | Existing Operating Hours (Till 8 Feb 2020) |
Operating Hours from 9 Feb 2020 |
| From Yishun Bus Interchange | 0600hrs — 2200hrs (Daily) | 0600hrs — 1830hrs (Daily) |
| From Bef Pearl’s Hill Terr, Eu Tong Sen Street | 0730hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) | 1230hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) |
SMRT Express 960e
From 9 February 2020, daily trips of SMRT Express 960e from Woodlands will operate till 1830hrs, while trips from Marina Centre will start from 1230hrs. In addition, the trip departure timings will also be adjusted.
| SMRT Express 960e |
Existing Operating Hours (Till 8 Feb 2020) |
Operating Hours from 9 Feb 2020 |
| From Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange | 0600hrs — 2200hrs (Daily) | 0600hrs — 1830hrs (Daily) |
| From Marina Centre Bus Terminal | 0730hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) | 1230hrs — 2330hrs (Daily) |
Withdrawal of Express 147e
On 9 February 2020, SBS Transit Express 147e will be withdrawn. The last day of service will be on Saturday, 8 February 2020.
The current 147 bus route is too long towards Clementi. While 147e is a good trial. Seriously, currently 147 is repetitive with 166,196 in Jalan Bukit Merah and in some sectors, bus 14 route. Do consider to revise the current 147 route for long term.
Wonder if there will ever be an 80e from Compassvale to Kreta Ayer Rd.
Last time i go to SG (I’m not a S’porean) i lived in Sengkang.
And i found out that there is not fast bus routes to the CBD or otherwise i can only take 80 for hours to get to there. How come the govt will not preserve a alternative way for the residents living there.
43e learn from the mistakes..Operate peak hours and starting with all SDs..While 12e,147e,851e & 960e all overkill with full DDs with the exception of 851e & 960e which has only 2 SDs..Actually can run full day of adjusted the frequency and fleet downgraded.
12e with 6 SDs & 2 DDs
147e extend to Bidadari Int in future with 6 SDs & 4 DDs.
851e with 6 SDs & 2 DDs and 960e with 6 SDs and 2 DDs.
Peak hours should be between 10-14mins and off peak between 25-35mins.
Don’t bother keeping 147e. They can simply take the train down.
After this round of optimisation, the next round of optimisation may involve 192, 193, etcetera, which also have excess capacity that are considered not financially viable. First round easy because it only involves reducing the number of trips. The subsequent rounds require more time to materialise because it involves route planning. Nonetheless, this is the right way forward in optimising resources and getting the best value for money. 😊
The express sector for 147e is not long enough to make it an attractive option. And Clementi to Chinatown is only about 7 MRT stns away.
Nevertheless a good trial.
CT28 was a failure. 147e route too similar. If anything, Express route from West to CNT should start from Jurong side to be viable. 197 is good candidate.