(Defunct) SBS Transit CityShopper Services

Introduction:

SBS Transit CityShopper Services were introduced on Saturday, 15 December 2007 to provide fast and convenient links between various housing estates and major shopping districts in the City. Similar to the concept of Premium services, CityShopper services catered to passengers who were willing to pay more for a guaranteed seat from the suburbs to the City and back in air-conditioned comfort, along direct routes that maximized the use of expressways.

Eight CityShopper routes were operated from the neighbourhood towns of Hougang, Bedok, Tampines West, Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang, Tampines East/Simei, West Coast and Punggol, and numbered 551, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580 and 581 respectively. All routes operated in a loop fashion, serving Orchard Road, Bras Basah Road and Suntec City before returning back to their respective housing estates.

Low ridership led to their subsequent discontinuation as such:

• Hougang, Bedok, Ang Mo Kio and West Coast routes (551, 575, 577, 580) on Monday, 21 July 2008
• Tampines West route (576) on Tuesday, 28 October 2008
• Sengkang, Tampines East/Simei and Punggol routes (578, 579, 581) on Monday, 27 July 2009

Operational Details:

CityShopper services operated every 30 minutes between 10:00 and 16:30 hrs on Weekdays, and between 10:00 and 22:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. On the day of Service 576’s discontinuation (28 Oct 2008), the operating hours for Services 578, 579, 581 were shortened to between 12:00 and 16:30 on Weekdays, and between 10:00 and 21:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. From 10:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, one-directional services terminating at Suntec City were operated, using the A-suffix (i.e. 578A, 579A and 581A).

Throughout their short-lived existence, CityShopper routes charged a flat fare of $3.30 for Services 551, 575, 576, 577, 579 & 580, and $3.60 for Services 578 & 581, payable by either cash or EZ-Link card. A flat fare of $1.00 was charged for Child/Student. Transfer rebates were applicable on all CityShopper Services.

Routes:

• Service 551: Upper Serangoon Road (Hougang Plaza) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 575: Bedok South Road (Opp Temasek JC) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 576: Tampines Avenue 7 (Opp Tampines JC) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 577: Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 (Opp Ang Mo Kio Comm Hosp) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 578: Compassvale Street (Blk 291A) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 579: Tampines Street 41 (Blk 417) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 580: Teban Gardens Road (Teban Gardens PO) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City
• Service 581: Punggol Central (Opp Blk 293) ↺ Orchard/Suntec City

Short Trip Services:

• Service 578A: Compassvale Street (Blk 291A) → Temasek Blvd (Suntec Tower Two)
• Service 579A: Tampines Street 41 (Blk 417) → Temasek Ave (Opp Centennial Twr)
• Service 581A: Punggol Central (Opp Blk 293) → Temasek Blvd (Suntec Tower Two)

Bus Service 551 (15 Dec 2007 – 20 Jul 2008)

Bus Service 575 (15 Dec 2007 – 20 Jul 2008)

Same Calling Bus Stops in Both Directions: This service serves Bedok South Rd, Bedok South Ave 3, New Upp Changi Rd and Bedok North Rd in both directions towards Temasek Ave and Bedok South Rd. Terminating plates are placed on the bus windscreen to indicate trips returning from the city.

Bus Service 576 (15 Dec 2007 – 27 Oct 2008)

Same Calling Bus Stops in Both Directions: This service serves Tampines Ave 7, Tampines Ave 4, Tampines Ave 3 and Tampines Ave 8 in both directions towards Temasek Ave and Tampines Ave 7. Terminating plates are placed on the bus windscreen to indicate trips returning from the city.

Bus Service 577 (15 Dec 2007 – 20 Jul 2008)

Bus Service 578 (15 Dec 2007 – 26 Jul 2009)

Terminating Trips: Buses departing between 1000 and 1200 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays & PHs will operate as Service 578A, terminating at Temasek Blvd (Suntec Twr Two).

Bus Service 579 (15 Dec 2007 – 26 Jul 2009)

Terminating Trips: Buses departing between 1000 and 1200 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays & PHs will operate as Service 579A, terminating at Temasek Ave (Opp Centennial Twr).

Bus Service 580 (15 Dec 2007 – 20 Jul 2008)

Bus Service 581 (15 Dec 2007 – 26 Jul 2009)

Terminating Trips: Buses departing between 1000 and 1200 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays & PHs will operate as Service 581A, terminating at Temasek Blvd (Suntec Twr Two).

External Links & References:

• History of CityShopper Services: SGWiki

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