Withdrawal of Night and Leisure Bus Services

Night and leisure public bus services across Singapore will formally be withdrawn from 30 June 2022.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

These services, which primarily cater to recreational demand, have already been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This announcement also marks the formal withdrawal of all Chinatown Direct, NightRider services and Nite Owl services in Singapore.

Withdrawn Bus Services

The following bus services were withdrawn:

Services suspended since April 2020

Main Articles: Transport Arrangements for the Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures & Suspension of Bus Services Post-Circuit Breaker

All affected bus services were first suspended in April 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, alongside City Direct and Express bus services.

After the Circuit Breaker ended in June 2020, City Direct and Express bus services were reinstated (with the exception of Service 128), but eighteen bus services which cater to recreational demand continued to be suspended until further notice, comprising all NightRider, Nite Owl and City Direct services, and Bus Services 188e, 963e, 401 & 926.

On 16 June 2022, LTA and PTOs announced the formal withdrawal of these recreational bus routes. Only Bus Service 401 resumed service on 4 June 2022, serving East Coast Park.

Rationalisation of bus services

Main article: Rationalisation of Bus Service Operations (2019 – 2022) – Land Transport Guru

The recent withdrawal of recreational bus routes is part of LTA’s ongoing efforts to optimize (i.e. reduce) service levels offered by Singapore’s public bus 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.

Plans for Services N1 and N2

In September 2020, Bus Services NR1 and NR2 were transferred to Tower Transit under the Sembawang–Yishun Bus Package. These were to be replaced by Bus Services N1 and N2, both of which were indicated in Tower Transit media releases leading up to the handover, but yet to be announced by the LTA.

The withdrawal of all night bus services in Singapore may indicate that plans for Bus Services N1 and N2 have been shelved, unless plans for a reorganised bus network are announced by LTA in the future.

Reasons for withdrawal

As reported by The Straits Times, a spokesperson for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that the decision to discontinue the NightRider and Nite Owl bus services was made after a careful evaluation of various factors, including ridership, availability of alternative options, financial considerations, and the need to allocate resources effectively. The spokesperson added that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for these bus services had been low, and there were other options available to commuters. The LTA will continue to closely monitor the usage of alternative transportation options and make adjustments as needed to ensure that there is sufficient capacity for commuters.

Alternative Bus Routes

For daytime-operating services, LTA posters have advised commuters to rely on alternative modes of public transport.

No alternative public transport options will be offered for the withdrawal of NightRider services and Nite Owl services, which formerly operated up till 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights. However, the regular extension of public transport operating hours on the eves of Public Holidays is set to continue.

Defunct Bus Stops

The withdrawal of Night will see the abolishing of bus stops that were formerly only served by Night services, such as those along South Canal Rd, Mohd Sultan Rd, Yishun St 61, Choa Chu Kang North 7, and Choa Chu Kang Cres.

Operator Posters:

Gallery:

See Also:

• Defunct Bus Services (2020s) – Land Transport Guru
• Abolished Bus Stops – Land Transport Guru
• Singapore Public Bus Timeline (2020s) – Land Transport Guru
• Rationalisation of Bus Service Operations – Land Transport Guru

External Links:

• NightRider and 11 other bus services to stop from June 30 | The Straits Times