The logo of the Public Transport System

A typical bus stop in Singapore.

Fleet of SBS Transit buses parked at the Boon Lay Interchange (currently being refurbished).

SMRT Buses parked in one line at the Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange.

Bus transport in Singapore is the most comprehensive and affordable means of public transport for the masses, with over two million rides taken per day on average on the buses of the two main public transport providers SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. There are more than 300 bus services covering all parts of Singapore. File links The following pages link to this file: Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) Paya Lebar MRT Station Pasir Ris MRT Station Template:Singapore MRT stations ... File links The following pages link to this file: Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) Paya Lebar MRT Station Pasir Ris MRT Station Template:Singapore MRT stations ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2186 KB) Summary A typical bus stop in Singapore. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2186 KB) Summary A typical bus stop in Singapore. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2313 KB)Fleet of SBS Transit buses parked at Boon Lay Interchange. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2313 KB)Fleet of SBS Transit buses parked at Boon Lay Interchange. ... Boon Lay is a small housing estate in the western region of Singapore. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2054 KB) Lineup of SMRT Buses at Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange, in TIBS and SMRT liveries. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2054 KB) Lineup of SMRT Buses at Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange, in TIBS and SMRT liveries. ... Bukit Panjang (Chinese: 武吉班让, Mandarin Pronunciation: Wujibanrang) is suburban area situated in the Central North-Western part of Singapore. ... Skytrain Bangkok. ... An SBS Transit Dennis Trident in Singapore. ... // Logo A C651 SMRT train approaching Jurong East MRT Station Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) Corporation (SGX: S53) is a public transport operator founded on August 6, 1987. ...

Plans released in the Public Transport White Paper by the Land Transport Authority, however, predict the gradual decline of extensive public bus transport with the development of a comprehensive rail-based transport system such as the Mass Rapid Transit. It was due to this concern, that the government worked towards establishing multi-modal transport companies so as to allow them to remain relevant in the future. The Land Transport Authority (LTA; Chinese: 陆路交通管理局) of Singapore is a statutory board of the Ministry of Transport. ... The logo of the Public Transport System A C751B train at Eunos MRT Station. ...

History

When Singapore first gained independence in 1965, the state of the public transport system was extremely unsatisfactory. Its capacity was inadequate to cope with the population, while the buses were old and slow. Furthermore, the system was beleaguered with frequent problems such as poor management and substandard services and quality. Skytrain Bangkok. ...

The main bus operator was the Singapore Traction Company, plying routes in the city area. Apart from that, there were many small and individual Chinese private bus companies, each plying a small part of the rural and fringe areas of the island, with only a few routes each. Therefore a simple journey from the East to the West of the island could involve several bus transfers, and could last a few hours aboard noisy and rickety buses.

As Singapore Traction Company had a 30-year monopoly and had no direct competition, its services were usually substandard, while the small Chinese bus companies also had a shortage of resources and funds. Moreover, many bus companies had labour problems. There were quite a few cases of labour unrest. In the late 1950s, the situation deteriorated. Militant bus workers, manipulated by communist-controlled unions, resorted to strikes in a demand for better work conditions and pay. These work stoppages plagued the entire bus system into chaos. Manual labor is a term used for physical work done with the hands, especially in an unskilled manual job such as fruit and vegetable picking, road building, or any other field where the work may be considered hard or arduous, which has as its objective the production of goods. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ...

A famous bus strike was the Hock Lee bus riots on May 12, 1955, where workers from the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company began to go on strike. They were members of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union (SBWU) and were protesting against bad working conditions, long working hours and a low pay. Students from the Chinese Middle schools even came to join and support the strikers. The situation was so bad that in 1955, the Chinese bus companies were hit by a total of 57 strikes. In 1956, the 'Great STC Strike' lasted 146 days. The strikers crippled the country's transport system. The chaotic conditions usually left the commuters in a lurch. Rioters throwing stones at police The Hock Lee bus riots occurred on May 12, 1955, in Singapore. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

It was in the early seventies that government stepped in to reorganize the bus system. Many small bus companies were amalgamated into three larger bus companies, namely the Amalgamated bus company Ltd, associated bus services Pte Ltd, and the United Bus Ltd. They were grouped into three regional sectors. The STC continued its monopoly on the central area of Singapore.

Notwithstanding the reorganization, bus services still did not improve much. There were still frequent breakdowns, overcrowded buses, and irregular fare and route structures. During this time, the protectionism of the STC by the government was also removed. The STC could not cope with this new environment and closed down its operations due to large financial losses. Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as high tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, a variety of restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and anti-dumping laws in an attempt to protect domestic industries in a particular nation from foreign take-over...

In 1973, The three main bus companies were merged into a one single organization. The new company formed from this merger was the Singapore Bus Service (the predecessor of SBS Transit), which came into operation in November 1973. It was hoped that this would create economies of scale and ultimately improve bus services. 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Singapore Bus Service (SBS) was a public bus operator in Singapore formed in 1973 with the merger of three private bus companies, namely the Amalgamated Bus Company Limited, the Associated Bus Services (Private) Limited and the United Bus Limited. ... An SBS Transit Dennis Trident in Singapore. ...

The government mooted the idea of a second bus company in the early eighties. The idea was to provide some degree of competition to SBS. Therefore Trans-Island Bus Services Limited was formed on 31 May 1982, as the second major public bus operator. Trans-Island started operations on 3 April 1983. Trans Island Bus Services Logo Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) was incorporated on May 31, 1982 after the Singapore government proposed the formation of another bus service company to compete with SBS in 1981. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Mr Ong Teng Cheong, the then Minister for Communications, remarked that "Each company will act as a natural impetus to enhance the performance and efficiency of the other in the spirit of healthy competition and in the process help bring about a better level of service." In August 1994, the government announced the transfer of 17 SBS services to Trans-Island bus services. This was to help TIBS in its early years. Ong Teng Cheong (Chinese: 王鼎昌; Pinyin: Wáng Dǐngchāng) (January 22, 1936 - February 8, 2002) was the first elected President of Republic of Singapore. ...

In 2001, Singapore bus service changed its name to SBS Transit Limited. This was to reflect its status as a multi-modal transport operator, as it had won the tender to operate the new North East Line and the Sengkang/Punggol Light Rapid Transit Lines. Interior of the NEL Train. ... Sengkang New Town Sengkang is a sub-urban area in the north-eastern part of Singapore. ... Punggol is a neighborhood in northeastern Singapore. ... The name Light Rapid Transit is used by the following specific light rail systems, either as an official name or otherwise: the Light Rapid Transit system in Singapore. ...

In late 2001, Trans-Island became a subsidiary of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (SMRT). Trans-Island Bus Service was renamed as SMRT Buses Ltd on 10 May 2003. This continues till today. May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Public bus companies

A bus stop pole outside Suntec Convention Centre, showing SBS Transit Trunk, Express & Citybuzz Routes, and SMRT Buses Trunk, Shortworking & NightRider Services.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x1600, 508 KB) A bus stop pole outside Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore, showing the following bus services and their route information. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x1600, 508 KB) A bus stop pole outside Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore, showing the following bus services and their route information. ... An SBS Transit Dennis Trident in Singapore. ... SMRT Buses parked in one line at Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange. ...

Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz O405G on SMRT Buses Service 857

A Dennis Trident 3 on SBS Transit Service 51. SBS Transit is the only operator of double decker buses in Singapore.

Mercedes-Benz O405 on SBS Transit Townlink Service 268

Singapore's buses consist of single deck 12 metre long buses used by all operators, double deck and midi Buses used solely by SBS Transit and articulated “bendy” buses used solely by SMRT Buses. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 640 KB) Summary A SMRT Buses MB0405G articulated bus. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 640 KB) Summary A SMRT Buses MB0405G articulated bus. ... SMRT Buses parked in one line at Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2244 KB)Dennis Trident (SBS Transit), DM5000 Bodywork, on Service 51. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2244 KB)Dennis Trident (SBS Transit), DM5000 Bodywork, on Service 51. ... An SBS Transit Dennis Trident in Singapore. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 680 KB) Summary An MBO405 on Route 268 in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore Img by Calvin Teo, Feb 2006 Licensing Others Also available on Wikimedia Commons under the same name [:http://commons. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 680 KB) Summary An MBO405 on Route 268 in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore Img by Calvin Teo, Feb 2006 Licensing Others Also available on Wikimedia Commons under the same name [:http://commons. ... An SBS Transit Dennis Trident in Singapore. ... A double decker is a bus, airplane, train, tram, ferry, or any public transit vehicle that has two levels for passengers, one deck above the other. ... An SBS Transit Dennis Trident in Singapore. ... A Volvo articulated bus in contract service for Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, operated by Virginia Overland Transportation in 2003 Articulated buses, also known as bendy buses, accordion buses or jointed buses, have an increased passenger capacity. ... SMRT Buses parked in one line at Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange. ...

For SBS Transit, its bus chassis and bodywork bought separately from overseas, usually from 2 different countries and separate companies. They are then assembled locally in Singapore in the ComfortDelgro assembly plant. Recently, SBS Transit, has started designing and producing its own bodywork through ComfortDelgro's other wholly owned subsidiary - ComfortDelgro Engineering. The first locally produced bodywork was fitted onto a Volvo B10TL, which is currently on revenue service. A chassis (plural: chassis) consists of a framework which supports an inanimate object, analogous to an animals skeleton; for example in the construction of an automobile or of a firearm. ... In automotive engineering, the bodywork of an automobile is the structure which protects: The occupants Any other payload The mechanical components. ... ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited (SGX: C52) is the largest transport company in Singapore, as well as the second largest in the world, with a 36,000 strong fleet of vehicles operating worldwide. ... KMBs Volvo Super Olympian 12m (3ASV44) with Walter Alexander ALX500 body. ...

For SMRT buses, its bus chassis and bodywork are also bought from overseas. However, they are assembled overseas instead, and then shipped by air or sea into Singapore. SMRT says this would result in better quality vehicles.

Examples of buses currently used in Singapore are:

SBS Transit

• Volvo B10M series (MKII, MKIII, MKIV)
• Mercedes-Benz O405
• Scania N113
• Volvo B10BLE (CNG powered)(low floor)
• Scania L94UB (low floor)
• Dennis Dart
• Leyland Olympian
• Volvo Olympian
• Dennis Trident 3 (low floor)
• Volvo B10TL (low floor)
• Volvo B9TL (low floor, wheelchair accessible)

SMRT Buses A Stagecoach West Scotland-owned Volvo B10M. An SBS Transit Volvo B10M Mark IV with Alexander bodywork in Singapore. ... O405 in Viernheim, Germany A SBS Transit Mercedes-Benz O405 in Singapore. ... Scania N113 is a transverse-engined route bus which supeseded the Scania N112. ... A Volvo B10BLE bus in Singapore with Volgren bodywork. ... CNG can mean: Compressed natural gas Comfort Noise Generator used in Speech Codecs to insert artificial noise during silent intervals of speech. ... Scania L94UB bus serving Tallinn city line. ... The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus model built in UK and was the first successful Dennis product since the Dominator. ... The Leyland Olympian was a double-deck bus built by British Leyland in United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. ... Volvo Olympian owned by Kowloon Motor Bus. ... KMBs 12m Trident 3 (ATR5) with Alexander ALX500 body. ... KMBs Volvo Super Olympian 12m (3ASV44) with Walter Alexander ALX500 body. ... KMB AVD1 (Volgren-bodied B9TL) seen in service on the last day (15 December 2004) before it left for more testing. ... Easy Access is a term that describes among other things, the design of buildings, or transport so that anybody regardless of whether they are elderly, pushing a pram, or are disabled can use them. ...

• Mercedes-Benz O405
• Mercedes-Benz O405G
• Scania L113 (some buses are low floor)
• Dennis Lance 245
• DAF SB220LT
• Hino HS3KRKA

O405 in Viernheim, Germany A SBS Transit Mercedes-Benz O405 in Singapore. ... Dennis Pax flatbed truck A UMW-Dennis Lance in Singapore, Duple Metsec bodied. ... DAF SB220 in Bucharest, Romania (operated by RATB). ... Hino Motors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Routes

See Main Article Bus Routes in Singapore Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...

Singapore has many different bus services plying through the island. These bus routes can be grouped into the following categories.

• Trunk: Routes that ply between towns.
• Short Trip: Routes that operate short haul trips which cater to high demand sectors of the entire route.
• Feeder: Services that operate within a neighbourhood
• Intra-Town (SMRT Buses) and TownLink (SBS Transit): Routes that consist of combined feeder services to provide links between neighbourhoods within the same town, and with the bus interchange and MRT.
• Jurong Industrial Service: Routes that service the Jurong and Tuas industrial areas.
• Express: Routes that stop at several nominated stops and generally run on expressways for faster travel between several towns.
• Fast Forward: Routes providing faster travel between places where there is a high demand by calling at fewer stops.
• NightRider (SMRT Buses) and Nite Owl (SBS Transit): After-hour services on Friday, weekends and eve of public holidays.
• CityBuzz: Special bus services that loop the city.
• SMRT Link: Free shuttle services to Chinatown, Dhoby Ghaut and Little India.
• Chinatown Direct: Routes that run from towns to Chinatown via the expressway.
• Parks: Services that run from major parks to the nearest bus interchange.
• Stadium Direct: Services that run from the Singapore Indoor Stadium to major towns after major concerts or events being held there.

Singapore Indoor Stadium Singapore Indoor Stadium (Chinese: 新加坡室內体育馆) is an indoor sporting arena located in Singapore. ...

External links

• SBS Transit Official Site
• SMRT Buses Official Site
• Land Transport Authority
• Transitlink
• Public Transport Council

References

1. Ilsa Sharp, (2005), SNP:Editions, The Journey - Singapore's Land Transport Story. ISBN 981-248-101-X