SMRT Task Force 50

Task Force 50 (or TF50) was a former special arrangement that lasted between 2018–2020 and involved a dedicated team of standby buses and Bus Captains. Their primary responsibility was to provide Rail Bridging Bus services in the event of a train service disruption.

Initiated by the Land Transport Authority in January 2018, the first team of 50 bus drivers was gathered from Private Bus Operators Woodlands Transport Service Pte. Ltd. and Aedge Holdings Pte. Ltd. under a contractual agreement. Operating in two shifts, SMRT maintained a constant standby force of around 25 bus drivers at any time during rail operating hours. The purpose of TF50 was to swiftly respond to train disruptions and provide alternative bus transportation for affected passengers.

It is understood that SMRT Buses had plans to double the Task Force driver pool in mid-2018, aiming to have a standby force of 50 bus drivers available during rail operating hours. This expansion would have involved supplementing the existing Task Force with SMRT’s own bus drivers. However, this plan did not materialize.

Task Force 50 ceased sometime in July 2020, and standby buses stationed at various sites such as Bukit Panjang Temporary Bus Park and Lorong 1 Geylang Terminal were withdrawn. The dedicated fleet of TF50 buses was also returned to the LTA Storage Fleet, or redeployed back to revenue service.

Training & Activation

Bus Captains within the TF50 scheme underwent familiarisation training on operating different bus models, including the Mercedes-Benz Citaro and other buses designated for TF50 services. The Bus Captains were also trained on the New On-Board Bus Equipment (NOBE) bus ticketing system and Common Fleet Management System (CFMS), allowing them to attain the Omnibus Driver’s Vocational Licence (ODVL) from the Singapore Bus Academy, a prerequisite to operating any Public Bus.

Drivers were also familiarised with the full bridging bus routes of various rail lines, in preparation for any rail service disruption in Singapore:

A dedicated fleet of fifty TF50 buses was also specifically reserved for potential activation during rail delays or disruptions. During an activation, TF50 drivers would be assigned to these buses, forming an immediate response force that can be quickly deployed islandwide. While Public Transport Operators (PTOs) continued to dispatch buses to the Free Bridging Bus routes during such disruptions, the mobilization of these resources is comparatively slower.

Apart from ad-hoc disruptions, TF50 resources also assisted with Early Closure & Late Opening (ECLO) shuttle bus services.

TF50 activations during Train Service Disruption

Between September 2018 and December 2019, TF50 resources were activated on at least 14 occasions to provide Free Bridging Bus Services.

These ad-hoc bridging buses are activated only during train service delays or disruptions.

Gallery (Bridging Buses)

MRT Shuttle during Early Closure & Late Opening (ECLO)

TF50 resources were also deployed on Early Closure & Late Opening (ECLO) shuttle bus services between March 2018 and April 2020, augmenting resources contributed by other public transport operators.

Gallery (Early Closure / Late Opening Shuttles)

TF50 Bus Fleet

The dedicated fleet of TF50 buses comprises Mercedes-Benz Citaro and MAN A22 single-deck buses, as well as Volvo B9TL and MAN A95 double-deck buses. These buses are leased to SMRT Buses as part of TF50 operations and bear a piece of paper bearing “TF ##” on the front windscreen (where ## are numbers between 01 and 50). After October 2018, the “TF” on the front paper was dropped, leaving only the 2-digit number.

These buses are mainly based at Seletar Bus Depot, with smaller numbers of buses parked at Bukit Panjang Temporary Bus Park, Woodlands Bus Park, Ulu Pandan Bus Depot and Lorong 1 Geylang Terminal. Refuelling and other administrative matters are under the purview of SMRT Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot.

End of Service

In July 2020, operations were believed to have ceased, with standby buses parked at various sites such as Bukit Panjang Temporary Bus Park and Lorong 1 Geylang Terminal no longer seen.

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