SBS Transit

SBS Transit Limited
Type Public (SGX: SBSTransit)
Industry Public Transport
Founded

1973 (as Singapore Bus Services)

2001 (as SBS Transit)
Headquarters Singapore
Key people Lim Jit Poh (Chairman)
Kua Hong Pak (Deputy Chairman)
Gan Juay Kiat (CEO)
Products Bus and Rail Services in Singapore
Revenue S$697.1 million SGD (2009)
Operating income S$63 million SGD (2009)
Net income S$54.6 million SGD (2009)
Employees 7,542 (2009)
Website http://www.sbstransit.com.sg

SBS Transit Limited (simplified Chinese: 新捷运; traditional Chinese: 新捷運; pinyin: Xīnjiéyùn, SGX: S61) is a public transport operator in Singapore. Its major competitor in Singapore's duopoly transport system is SMRT Corporation, which also operates bus, rail, taxi and other transport services.

The company (organisation) was formed as a separately listed subsidiary in November 1997 under the name of Singapore Bus Services Limited, although it can trace its history back to the formation of Singapore Bus Service in 1973 with the merger of three bus companies. On 1 November 2001, the company's name was changed to SBS Transit Limited to reflect its status as a bus and rail operator.

Its parent company is ComfortDelGro Corporation, which was formerly known as DelGro Corporation Limited. The parent company has Singapore Bus Service as its direct predecessor.

In 2003, SBS Transit started operating the North East MRT Line of the Mass Rapid Transit system in addition to its existing bus operations. On 29 August 2011, SBS Transit was given the operation license for the Downtown MRT Line, which would start in 2013.

Contents

History

Singapore Bus Service (SBS) was initially formed in 1973 with the merger of three private bus companies. The government-sanctioned merger was undertaken to improve service standards of the bus transport system.

With the shift towards the creation of multi-modal transport companies, Singapore Bus Service Ltd changed its name to DelGro Corporation Limited in November 1997. Bus operations were hived-off to a fully owned subsidiary called Singapore Bus Services Limited, which was separately listed on the Singapore Exchange.

In November 2001, Singapore Bus Services Limited was renamed as SBS Transit Limited when the company formally became a multi-modal transport operator with the impending opening of the Sengkang LRT Line.

Operations

SBS Transit's primary business is providing public transport services in Singapore. Its more notable operations are the following.

Current bus fleet

SBS Transit currently operates 75% of the scheduled bus market share in Singapore with more than 265 bus services and has a total fleet of more than 3,000 buses. All but 95 buses are non air-conditioned. All the different bus models have a common lifespan of 17 years, except the Mercedes Benz O405 and Volvo B10M Mark III buses whose lifespan were extended to 19 years. The 100 non-air-conditioned buses will be retired in 2011. In the last 3 years, SBS Transit ordered 1,100 single-deck buses from Scania AB and 350 double-deck buses from Volvo as part of its fleet renewal programme. SBS Transit also placed an order for 300 Mercedes-Benz O530s and another 300 buses from Volvo in 2010. SBS Transit also evaluates wheelchair-accessible chassis offers from Volvo and Scania AB. The latest additions to the bus fleet is the both made in China King Long Higer KLQ6129G Hydrogen Fuel Cell "GreenLite" bus, the Sunlong SLK6121UF14H Hybrid buses, as well as the Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 double decker buses and the Mercedes Benz Citaro (O530) buses.

Model Image Bodywork Year Introduced Units Introduced Registration Number(s) Notes/Comments
Dennis Trident 3 Duple Metsec DM5000 2001 20 Registered as SBS9671E-SBS9690A Euro II
SBS9672C, SBS9674Y, SBS9679J, SBS9680D and SBS9690A were fitted with newly CoolAir Electronic Display System (EDS).
These buses were the first to be fitted with EDS in Singapore.
King Long Higer KLQ6129G Hydrogen Fuel Cell "GreenLite" Higer Integral Body 2010 1 Demonstrator is registered as RD6066L Hydrogen Fuel cell bus
Used during the Youth Olympic Games
Bus is now parked at Nanyang Technological University awaiting conversion into a fully electric bus.
Leyland Olympian 3-axle Walter Alexander R-type 1993-1994 200 Registered as SBS9000S-SBS9199C Deregistering
SBS9168S is the last Leyland chassis ever produced in the world.
Commonly referred to as "LO3x"
They are commonly found in Ang Mo Kio Depot, Braddell Bus Park and Soon Lee Bus Park.
MAN 18.240 HOCL-NL (A69) Gemilang Coachworks Sdn Bhd 2008 1 Demonstrator is registered as SBS8031J Bus is laid-up till 2 Nov 2012.
Mercedes Benz Citaro (O530) EvoBus GmbH 2011-2012 300 Registered buses as of now are SBS6000L - SBS6135G. To be registered as 6000L-6299S. Deliveries Ongoing.
This marks the first time in the 21st century that SBST and SMRT have a common bus model in their fleets (SMRT has introduced 10 Citaros and will be introducing 40 more).
The first SBST Citaro, SBS6000L, started service on the 1st of June 2011 on Service 28.
The standard WAB sticker was removed from the front bumper and is replaced with a removable wheelchair accessible logo on the windscreen.
Scania L94UB Volgren 1999 1 Demonstrator is registered as SBS2888T Currently used as training bus from Bedok North Bus Depot (BNDEP).
Scania K230UB Gemilang Coachworks Sdn Bhd 2007 1,101 Demonstrator is registered as SBS8033D Euro IV
2007(Batch 1)
2008-2009 (Batch 2)
Batch 1 registered as SBS8034B - SBS8131D, SBS8138K & SBS8888D

Batch 2 SBS8132B - SBS8223Y; SBS8425G - SBS8483M (except "SBS8138K")
SBS8225S - SBS8423L; SBS8485H - SBS8561X (excluding registration numbers ends with 4)

Euro IV
Batch 2 K230UBs have an extra granny seat behind the bus driver.
Some training buses have an additional CCTV camera at the back above the back window like the Batch 2 Euro 5 KUBs.
2009(Batch 1)
2010 (Batch 2)
Batch 1 Registered as SBS8562T - SBS8873X (excluding registration numbers ends with 4) , SBS8875R - SBS8913P (excluding SBS8888D) , SBS8915J - SBS8923K , SBS8925E - SBS8943C , SBS8945Y - SBS8963U, SBS8965P - SBS8973R , SBS8975K - SBS8999S

Batch 2 SBS5001R - SBS5252H (excluding registration numbers containing 4)

Euro V
Batch 2 units have been delivered in January to June 2010 and replace the retiring Duple Metsec bodied Mercedes-Benz O405. The Batch 2 buses have an additional CCTV camera at the back above the back window.
Scania K310UD 2010 1 Demonstrator is registered as SBS7888K Euro V
Currently deployed as service 25 which serves from Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange and Bedok Bus Interchange
Sunlong SLK6121UF14H Hybrid Sunlong Integral Body 2010 2 Demonstrators are registered as SBS8000Z and SBS8001X, numbers formerly used for the Civilians Euro V
Hybrid buses
Currently re-deployed to service 334 (Loop).
Volvo B7RLE Soon Chow 2007 1 Demonstrator is registered as SBS8030L Euro IV
Volvo B9TL ComfortDelGro Engineering Corporation 2006 649 Registered as SBS7300P - SBS7499A Euro III
SBS7440T was destroyed in a fire on 7 March 2010 in Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot and was deregistered
SBS7392Z has been fitted with an LECIP EDS. Deployed as service 147 serves from Hougang Central Bus Interchange to Clementi Bus Interchange.
Commonly known as "CDGE".Upgrading every CDGE B9TLs with Lecip EDS
Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 2010-2012 Batch 1 Registered as SBS7500D - SBS7686B (excluding registration numbers containing 4).
Batch 2 Registered as SBS7700T - SBS7725Y. To be registered as SBS7700T - SBS7999Z (excluding "SBS7888K").
Batch 3 Registered currently as SBS3000G - SBS3009H, SBS3012Y, SBS3015P and with uniquely registered bus - SBS3269Z, skipping the earlier registration numbers.
Euro V
Deliveries Ongoing
Commonly known as "WEG2"
Probably 269 buses of these buses.
Volvo B10BLE Volgren 1998 1 Demonstrator is registered as SBS1688K Diesel
Subsequent purchases of these buses were CNG powered.
SBS1688K is found in Hougang Bus Depot (HGDEP) and serves SBS Transit Service 163 from Sengkang Bus Interchange to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange
2002, 2005 12 Registered as SBS2988M-SBS2999G. CNG
Commonly found in Soon Lee Bus Park (SLBP) as services 105 (Serangoon Interchange/Jurong East Interchange) and 243 (Boon Lay Interchange).
Volvo B10M Duple Metsec 1992-1993 300 Registered as SBS582M-SBS881A Mk 3
Deregistering
SBS876R and SBS877M have ZF gearboxes. Training bus registered as SBS 633A, SBS650A, SBS772G . Some training buses have an additional CCTV camera at the back above the back window.
1995-1997 115 Registered as SBS882Y-SBS996C Euro I
Mk 4
SBS901B and SBS972X were deregistered. Training bus registered as SBS907K, SBS944C,SBS934G SBS931P. Some training buses have an additional CCTV camera at the back above the back window.
1 Demonstrator is Registered as SBS997A Euro I
Mk 4
Superlong
Currently re-deployed to route 83 that serves from Punggol Bus Interchange to Sengkang Interchange (Loop).
Walter Alexander Strider 200 Registered as SBS1896B-SBS1999M, SBS2593T-SBS2688D Euro I
Mk 4
SBS1921L is deregistered
SBS1975G has refurbished red seats
SBS2652G is fitted with solar panels on top of the bus.
Duple Metsec DM3500 1997-1999, 2000 150 Registered as SBS2689B - SBS2838M Euro II
Mk 4
SBS2754X is the first bus in Singapore to be fitted with outswing plug doors
SBS2779A was once fitted with an EDS and a CCTV camera beside the left front lights.
SBS2696E, SBS2779A and SBS2812L was previously Nokia Ad-concept buses and had special interiors.
SBS2779A EDS was removed by BBDEP.
SBS2837R also had a special interior because it was the NTU bus. The interior was changed again when it became the HP Ad-concept bus.
The DM3500s has now serve cross border services before the B10M Mark 3 deregistration.
Volvo Olympian Walter Alexander Royale 1996-1998 (Batch 2)
1999-2000 (Batch 3)
471 Batch 2 Registered as SBS9401T - SBS9600K
Batch 3 Registered as SBS9601H - SBS9670H
Euro II
3-axle aircon
Batch 3 Volvo Olympians are being retrofitted with LECIP EDS
SBS9424C and SBS9619H were deregistered
All buses, with the exception of SBS9661J have TV Mobile installed in 2001 and was all removed in 2010.
Commonly known as "VO3X"
Walter Alexander Royale 1994-1995 Batch 1 Registered as SBS9200G - SBS9400X Euro I
3-axle (Air conditioned)
Some buses have their lifespan extended for another 2 years
SBS9400X is laid-up till 16 Aug 2011
SBS9245C and SBS9357M were deregistered
Commonly known as "VO3X"
100 Registered as SBS7198T-SBS7297R Some buses have their lifespan extended for another 2 years
SBS7208Z, SBS7209X and SBS7253S were deregistered.
SBS7227T was converted into Temasek JC Student Lounge.
SBS7297R was converted into "MILK Bus" and was re-registered as YM6115Z.
SBS7204J and SBS7251Y was sold to the UK.
2-axle and is SBS Transit's second shortest buses and SBS's last non air-conditioned buses
They are mostly based at Soon Lee Bus Park and Ayer Rajah Bus Park.
None of the buses have TV Mobile installed
Commonly known as "VO2x"
Volvo Super Olympian
(Volvo B10TL)
Volgren CR222LD 2002, 2003 51 Registered as SBS9800A - SBS9849K Euro II
SBS9810X is assembled in Australia and is fitted with an EDS, Transit Media Unit.
Commonly known as "VSO"
SBS9814K was driven by Kym Ng's character in Channel U drama serial She Drives Me Crazy (爱上女车长) and SBS9888Y, the demonstrator unit for this bus, was destroyed in a fire on 7 March 2010 and deregistered.
ComfortDelGro Engineering Corporation 2005 Demonstrator is registered as SBS9889U Euro II
Bodywork demonstrator for the ComfortDelGro Engineering Volvo B9TLs, fitted with Transit Media Electronic Display System.

Former and decommissioned buses

Model Image Bodywork Year Introduced Units Introduced Notes/Comments
Guy Victory Soon Chow/BAco Body 1978–1980 500 Registered as SBS6590A - SBS6597G, SBS6603Y - SBS6616K, SBS6621U - SBS6638Y, SBS6658P - SBS6673U and SBS6681X - SBS6775J
Scrapped
Leyland Atlantean Walter Alexander R-type 1984–1986 200 Registered as SBS1637H - SBS1682B, SBS1690C - SBS1695P, SBS4962Z - SBS4999T, SBS5542X - SBS5552S, SBS5587S - SBS5624T, SBS6835U - SBS6906Z
Scrapped by 2001
Leyland Lynx Walter Alexander PS-type 1989 1 Demonstrator registered as SBS3572Y
Used a Scania N113CRB front bumper after an accident in August 2001
Scrapped
Leyland Olympian Walter Alexander R-type 1986–1988 200 Registered as SBS3550K - SBS3571A, SBS6907X - SBS6999E, SBS7113M - SBS7197X
2-axle Non-aircon
2 buses are bought by private companies and are preserved while the remaining buses were either sold to overseas or scrapped by 2003
Replaced by Volvo B10TL Super Olympian in 2003
1993-1994 200 Deregistering
3-axle aircon
Registered as SBS9000S-SBS9199C
SBS9168S is the last Leyland chassis ever produced in the world.
MAN 16.240 HOCL PSV Soon Chow 1990 1 Demonstrator registered as SBS81S
Scrapped.
Mercedes-Benz 811D Asia Coach 1993 5 Registered as SBS8004M - SBS8008C
Minibuses
7.6 meters long
Sold to private companies
Mercedes-Benz O305 Walter Alexander R-type 1982 (Demonstrators)
1984–1986 (Production Batches)
202 Registered as SBS2477X, SBS2478T, SBS2481H - SBS2592X, SBS5541Z, SBS7027D - SBS7112R
SBS5541Z is a demonstrator and was scrapped in 1994
Production batches are scrapped between 1997 and 2001
Willowbrook Demonstrator registered as SBS5500S
Scrapped in 1994
Mercedes-Benz O405 Walter Alexander PS-type 1990–1991 200 Registered as SBS82P-SBS281G
SBS210L is the last bus to have the original SBS livery before deregistration
Deregisterd by May 2010
Some were exported and rebodied to serve as urban buses in Bangkok.
Duple Metsec 1991-1992 500 Duple Metsec OAC
Registered as SBS282D-SBS581R
Scrapped by 3 June 2011
Some were exported and rebodied to serve as urban buses in Bangkok.
1990-1992 Duple Metsec CAC
Registered as SBS3723D-SBS3922X
Scrapped by 1 April 2011
Some were exported and rebodied to serve as urban buses in Bangkok.
Mercedes-Benz O405G Volgren CR221L 1996 1 Demonstrator registered as SBS999U
SBS's second bendy bus
17.5 metres long
Sold to New Zealand in 2006[1]
Mercedes-Benz OC500LE Gemilang Coachworks Sdn Bhd 2009 1 Demonstrator
SBS Transit rejected the trial and the bus is sold to Chitson Transport and registered as PA9588S.
Nissan Diesel U21SCN Fuji Heavy Industries 1985 1 Demonstrator registered as SBS2452S
Scrapped.
Nissan Diesel U31SCN Fuji Heavy Industries 1986 20 Registered as SBS10Y - SBS29U
Scrapped.
Renault PR100.2 Ansair 1988 1 Demonstrator registered as SBS30P
Scrapped.
Scania L113CRL[2] PSV Soon Chow 1995 12 Previously deployed on Airbus Services and are SH-plated buses
PA-plated and painted in SBS Leisure livery
3 buses were sold in 2005 to Westpoint, a private company while the remaining buses were scrapped
Scania N113CRB Walter Alexander PS 1989–1990 200 Registered as SBS31L - SBS80U; SBS3573U - SBS3722G
Scrapped by May 2009
Volvo B10M Van Hool 1986 1 Mk 1
Demonstrator registered as SBS9C
Sold to New Zealand in late 1990s
Walter Alexander PS 1988–1989 200 Mk 2
Registered as SBS1696L - SBS1895D
Scrapped by 2008
A few were sold.
Duple Metsec
1992-1993 300 Euro I
Mk 3
Deregistering
Registered as SBS582M-SBS881A
SBS876R and SBS877M have ZF gearboxes.
PSV Soon Chow 1994 10 Mk 4
Previously on Sentosa-registered buses and SH-plated buses
Registered as SBS8019X-SBS8028U
Scrapped by 25 May 2011
Volvo B10MA Duple Metsec 1996 1 Demonstrator registered as SBS998Y
SBS's first bendy bus
Asia longest bus (19 metres long)
Sold to New Zealand in 2006[1]
Volvo Super Olympian
(Volvo B10TL)
Volgren CR222LD 1999 1 Euro 2
Demonstrator registered as SBS9888Y
SBS9888Y had its EDS removed in 1 December 2005.
First bus to have TVMobile.
SBS9888Y on service 25 was destroyed in a fire on 7 March 2010 in Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot.
Dennis Dart Duple Metsec 1994 10 Registered as SBS8009A – SBS8018Z. Midibus
9.4 metres long. They are SBS Transit's shortest buses (the 'title' once belonged to the Mercedes-Benz 811Ds and Nissan Civilians). Scrapped

Bus routes

SBS Transit operates many different types of bus routes and bus services, taking up the majority of the pie of Singapore's duopoly bus system in almost all areas of Singapore, with the notable exception of the North and Northwest areas, where bus services are mainly run by its competitor, SMRT Corporation.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

SBS Transit is the operator of the North East Line since 2003 and Downtown Line on 2013.

The North East Line is the third Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore, and also the world's first fully underground and automated rapid transit line. The line is 20km long with 16 stations. The operating license was given to SBS Transit in order to foster competition with SMRT Corporation and to create multi-modal public transport companies, each specializing in their own district. The tender spans from 2003 to 2033.

As the name implies, the North East Line connects central Singapore to the north-eastern part of the island. Currently, transfers to the North South Line are provided at Dhoby Ghaut Station, East West Line at Outram Park Station and Circle Line at Serangoon Station , Dhoby Ghaut Station & HarbourFront Station . The rolling stock used is Alstom Metropolis.

The Downtown Line is the fifth Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore. With 34 stations, the 42km-long line would be the world's longest fully underground and automated rapid transit line when completed in 2017. This is the first rail line put up for competitive tender under the new rail financing framework that LTA adopted to benefit commuters through the expansion of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) network while enabling the government to keep pace with growing ridership demand. The tender will span from 2017 to 2032.

Meanwhile, for the Downtown line, it connects residents staying in the North-western and Central-eastern to the new downtown. Transfers to this line from the North East Line is available at Chinatown and Little India stations, the North South Line at Newton Station and Bukit Panjang Station(Bukit Panjang LRT), the East West Line at Bugis, Tampines and Expo stations, the Circle Line at MacPherson, Bayfront, Promenade and Botanic Gardens stations. The rolling stock used is Bombardier MOVIA.

Fleet details

Class Image Type Top speed Trains Cars Routes operated Built
mph km/h
C751A electric multiple units 60 100 25
150
North East Line 2000 - 2003
C951 electric multiple units 80 90 73
219
Downtown Line 2012 - 2016
C751C electric multiple units 60 100
12

72
North East Line Currently tendered

Light Rail Transit (LRT)

In addition to the North East Line and Downtown Line, SBS Transit is also operates two LRT systems, Sengkang and Punggol. Both lines connect the estate to one of two NEL Stations and is total of 29 stations including Sengkang and Punggol interchange stations.

Key operating statistics

Monthly Ridership for Bus and Rail[3]

Month 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Bus Rail Bus Rail Bus Rail Bus Rail Bus Rail Bus Rail Bus Rail
January 64,324,473 6,004,948 64,885,728 6,834,446 62,247,969 7,683,908 67,380,546 8,857,847 73,235,547 10,482,340 69,833,080 11,376,659 72,199,589 12,378,114
February 62,548,766 5,295,081 56,837,060 6,057,296 59,854,200 6,822,060 59,429,412 8,255,520 65,270,126 9,638,353 65,783,396 10,073,000 63,068,208 11,265,212
March 66,351,036 5,746,222 64,890,223 6,732,828 65,965,396 7,590,381 68,315,754 9,157,896 69,948,803 10,286,389 69,451,005 11,084,732 72,137,465 12,729,158
April 63,487,500 5,435,070 62,479,980 6,426,390 62,070,030 7,224,930 64,984,800 8,541,180 70,427,160 10,036,560 68,923,860 10,608,300 71,284,980 12,285,630
May 64,064,538 5,826,574 62,302,994 6,740,609 65,193,992 7,645,809 68,075,039 9,165,708 71,036,035 10,496,414 70,184,899 10,986,555 72,763,758 12,731,359
June 58,792,110 5,786,490 59,278,140 6,729,450 60,320,040 7,486,080 63,261,870 9,135,180 66,607,710 10,403,520 64,626,930 11,301,060 67,716,960 12,407,070
July 66,508,609 6,105,977 64,967,196 7,107,649 66,616,613 7,900,846 69,919,973 9,518,922 74,758,329 11,221,008 72,516,285 11,511,819 76,803,244 13,935,151
August 65,082,175 6,010,931 65,473,116 7,075,905 67,592,493 7,991,924 70,018,739 9,570,413 73,311,156 11,135,107 71,006,802 11,615,111
September 62,920,620 5,908,380 62,254,350 6,956,040 63,886,170 7,847,130 66,016,800 9,226,680 70,400,310 10,886,250 68,542,950 11,364,840
October 63,445,158 6,039,513 63,613,023 7,232,610 64,805,469 8,775,790 69,212,119 9,854,032 71,997,252 11,430,258 71,927,657 11,936,550
November 58,936,800 6,008,850 59,570,430 7,016,160 63,188,790 8,779,170 64,996,140 9,630,330 67,726,470 10,830,150 67,368,480 11,356,920
December 60,215,888 6,575,844 60,499,569 7,653,001 61,434,405 9,420,497 64,456,068 10,454,285 66,448,221 11,614,181 67,325,707 12,384,903
Year Total 756,677,673 70,743,880 747,051,809 82,562,384 763,175,567 95,168,525 796,067,260 111,367,993 841,167,119 128,486,341 827,967,548 135,600,449

Notes

See also

References

External links