The Seletar Bus Depot Carnival was an opening ceremony cum depot open house held on Saturday, 27 January 2018, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, at the at the Seletar Bus Depot. Organized by the successful tenderer of the Seletar Bus Package, SBS Transit, the carnival showcased the newly completed bus depot’s facilities to the public.
The event provided a platform for SBS Transit to showcase its new Depot, while providing members of the public with a glimpse into the what goes on behind everyday bus operations. Static display buses were open to public viewing, and job-seekers could sign up for job opportunities with SBS Transit.
In addition to tours around Seletar Bus Depot, LTA’s 3-door MAN Lion’s City double-deck bus and the new Volvo B8LÂ was showcased at the Carnival.
Contents
- Background
- Shuttle Buses
- Goody Bag
- Programme
- Our Bus Showcase
- Depot Facilities Tour
- Static Bus Display
- Depot Tour & Bus Wash
- Exhibition Booths
Background
SBS Transit was awarded the Seletar Bus Package in April 2017, which is the third contract awarded by LTA under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), which introduced a competitive scene of bus operators bidding for various route packages and a share of the market. Out of the 26 bus services under the contract, SBS Transit had already been operating 14 bus services and will take over another 12 bus services from SMRT Buses in the first half of 2018.
In the first half of 2018, SBS Transit will take over the 14 SMRT bus routes in 2 tranches, as well as the managing of Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang Bus Interchanges. It will then operate these routes for five years, with a two-year extension granted based on good performance.
The Carnival mirrors similar publicity outreach events organized by Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Group previously. Check out their respective articles at: A Bulim Bus Carnival Day & Go-Ahead Singapore Bus Carnival.
Depot
Seletar Bus Depot accommodates 525 buses and is equipped with facilities for daily bus operations, bus repair and maintenance, bus parking areas, offices, a rest area for bus drivers, and a canteen. An access road linking to Yio Chu Kang Road and Lentor Avenue (named Yio Chu Kang Crescent) was built to serve the depot. The bus depot was handed over to the first incumbent, SBS Transit, in late 2017 for outfitting and preparatory works before the Seletar Bus Package commenced operations.
Main Article: Seletar Bus Depot
Getting to the Carnival –Â Shuttle Buses
The Depot is located at Yio Chu Kang Crescent, within walking distance from Lentor Avenue. Two-way shuttle buses were operated from Yio Chu Kang, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun Temporary Bus Interchanges at 10-minute frequencies.
| Seletar Bus Depot Carnival Shuttle Buses | |||
| Shuttle | Route | Boarding Point | Operating Hours |
| A | Ang Mo Kio ↔ Seletar Depot | Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange Berth 6 | To Seletar Depot: 0800 – 1430 From Seletar Depot: 0930 – 1630 |
| B | Yio Chu Kang ↔ Seletar Depot | Yio Chu Kang Bus Interchange Berth 1 | |
| C | Yishun ↔ Seletar Depot | Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange Berth 1 | |
In addition to the Shuttle Buses, the bus depot is a short walk from Lentor Avenue and can be accessed on foot. Passing-by services are 851, 852, 853, 854, 855 and 857.
Goody Bag
Guests attending the Seletar Bus Depot Carnival were issued with an SBS Transit goody bag, containing items such as bottled water, Pocky biscuit snack, sticky notes, a pen and highlighter, a keychain, a phone kickstand, a mini USB fan, a foldable fan, a recruitment brochure, and a papercraft model of a Volvo B9TL.
Additionally, a power bank was given to the first 250 visitors.
Programme
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure & Minister of Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, was the Guest of Honour of the Seletar Bus Depot Carnival. He officially launched Seletar Bus Depot with the unveiling of the ceremonial plaque.
Special performances by Bus Captains as well as students from the nearby Deyi Secondary School were showcased at the Stage Area.
Stage activities were also held, where participants could win prizes for successfully completing challenges or answering questions regarding the Carnival and Seletar Bus Package correctly.
Next Up: Our Bus Showcase, Depot Facilities Tour
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