The Year in Buses
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[edit] Before 1979
1971: The 10 Chinese bus companies were re-organised into 3 main companies, each responsible to its area of operation.
Associated Bus Services (East) Paya Lebar Bus Service Changi Bus Company Katong-Bedok Bus Service Ponggol Bus Service
United Bus Company (North) Tay Koh Yat Bus Company Green Bus Company Easy Bus Company
Amalgamated Bus Company (West) Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company Keppel Bus Company Kg Bahru Bus Service
Singapore Traction Company (STC) was to maintain its operation in the town area. The 3 newly formed companies provided a stronger competition to STC that led to severe losses. This, along with serious corruption within the STC led to its demise later in the year. STC's buses and routes were distributed to the 3 companies.
1973: Since STC went bust, the quality of bus services continued to worsen. The government decided to step in and bring the 3 bus companies together. Hence, Singapore Bus Service was born.
1974-76: This period saw the coming of Albion Vikings, Mercedes OF1413s and O306. There was still a shortage of buses so a Supplementary Public Transport Service was organised. School and private hire buses were licensed to operate on 46 scheduled routes and complement SBS during peak hours.
1976: The government introduced the Park & Ride scheme to reduce congestion in the city area. City Shuttle Service was formed to run from fringe car parks into the city. Later, their services were extended into housing estates.
1977: On June 13, SBS launched their first double deckers with 20 Leyland Atlanteans at Tampines Way Terminal. 8 were bodied by Metal Sections and the rest by British Aluminium Company (BACo). They were put on route 86, a semi-express service which went to Shenton Way.
1978: The Leyland Victory was launched with Soon Chow and BACo bodywork. 150 new Mercedes OF1413 with Metsec body were also launched. A Volvo B57 (SBS 6790P) with Metsec body was put on trial. In March, CBD1 and CBD2 were introduced to facilitate travelling within the Central Business District (CBD)
1979: 100 Leyland Atlanteans with Duple Metsec body joined the fleet together with 150 Volvo B57 with New Zeland Motor Bodies (NZMB).
[edit] 1980 - 1984
1980: Another 200 Leyland Atlanteans were set to join the fleet, this time with Alexander L body. Delivery of the buses stretched until 1982 at which point SBS would have 320 double decker buses. 200 Mercedes OF1417 with Hawke and NZMB body were also introduced together with another 200 Volvo B57 also with NZMB body. All the buses were gradually added until 1982.
1981: Leyland sent a demonstrator Olympian ONTL11/2R with Alexander R bodywork to SBS after exhibiting the bus at the 1980 Commercial Motor Show. The bus was registered as SBS 5396B in May. After a few years on trial, SBS placed an order for 200 buses set for 1986.
1982: I call it the year of the demos. A number of single unit buses were put on trial during this year. Some gained success while others failed to impress. In the successful category was the Mercedes O305. 2 buses were on trial, 5500S and 5541Z with a Willowbrooke and an Alexander R bodywork respectively. The latter was chosen and 200 units were ordered for 1984. A less sucessfull trial was that of the Nissan U21S. Nevertheless, SBS placed an order for 20 Nissan U31SCN aircon buses for 1986. These 2 were the only Japanese bus models SBS bought. Among those with no further purchases was a Dennis Dominator DDA144. Registered as SBS 7003 the bus was en route to Hong Kong but stopped over in Singapore for a brief period. There was also a Volvo-Ailsa B55 (SBS 4741U) and a Scania BR112DH (SBS 7000E) with an Alexander AV and an East Lancs bodywork respectively. SBS's first aircon bus, a Leyland National 2 (SBS 6820L), was put on a 1 year trial.
1983: Since 1973, SBS had a monopoly on bus operations. The government decided to form a second bus operator to promote a healthy competition in terms of service quality. Thus, Trans Island Bus Service (TIBS) was born. TIBS was to operate in the northern part of the island. SBS services within this area were to be handed over to TIBS. The company started off with 27 new Hino RK 176 buses and 2 services, 160 and 167. The official launch was done at Anson Rd Terminal with a flagging off ceremony for service 167. Other services which were handed over to TIBS were 161, 164, 169, 178, 180, 181, 182, 204 and 208. More Hino RK176 joined the fleet later, followed by the Hino HT228KA and Nissan U31F.
1984: SBS introduced its first air-con service. 8 Mercedes O302 coaches were bought from Singapre Airport Bus Services and modified by adding a centre exit door. AIRCON 168, despite having the same route as the normal service 168, had a limited hours of operation with a frequency of 15 minutes. From 1984-1986, 200 new Leyland Atlantean AN68/2R and 200 Mercedes O305 double deckers were added giving a grand total of 720. Both models have the same Alexander R bodywork. The Atlanteans were the last batch to be produced by Leyland.
[edit] 1985 - 1989
1985: The second air-con service, AIRCON 3, was launched. Unlike AIRCON 168, AIRCON 3 was formed by changing the existing service 3 into a full-time air-con service. New Nissan Diesel U31SCN buses were used. The first B10M, SBS 9C, with Van Hool bodywork was later put on this service too.
1986: SBS brings in 200 Leyland Olympian ONTL11/2R. These were the last Leyland engined buses to be made. All the buses received the same Alexander R-type bodywork as the 1984 vintage Atlanteans. SBS re-bodied a number of old Leyland Victories into air-con buses. Meanwhile, TIBS purchased new Nissan Diesel U31SCN buses for services to the newly developed Yishun New Town.
1989-1990: SBS introduced 200 Scania N113CRB, of which 50 are air-conditioned
[edit] 1990 - 1994
1990-1992: 200 units of Mercedes Benz O.405 (with Walter Alexander bodywork) were brought in.
1993: Singapore's first aircon double decker bus, the Leyland Olympian 3 Axle, is launched in December. Altogether, 200 are brought in. These are the last-ever Leyland buses to be manufactured and are powered by Cummins engines. (Registered SBS 9000 S to SBS 9199 C).
1994: 100 units of Volvo Olympian 2 Axle were brought in by SBS. They were registered as SBS 7198 T to SBS 7297 Y.
The 1st batch of Volvo Olympian 3 Axle (registered between SBS 9200 G to SBS 9400 X) were brought in progressively.
10 9.4m Dennis Darts were brought in for the M routes (ie M1, M2, M4).
[edit] 1995 - 1999
1996: Another 200 units of Volvo Olympian 3 Axle (registered SBS 9401 T to SBS 9600 K) were brought in progressively by SBS.
1997: Construction on North-East MRT line (NEL) commences in December.
1999: SBS wins tender to operate NEL after bidding with Tibs. The latter loses bid, announces merger with SMRT. SBS takes over the north-eastern sectors in exchange for the north-western ones, which go to Tibs' control.
[edit] 2000 - 2003
2000: The Last 70 units of Volvo Olympian 3 Axle were introduced on the roads.
2001: SBS Launches New Service 179 From Boon Lay Int To NIE (Loop), On 7 January 2001.
SBS Launches New Service 162/162X From Yio Chu Kang Ter To Shenton Way/Temasek Ave (Loop), On 25 February 2001.
The Hougang Central Temporary Interchange commence operation on 20 May 2001.
SBS renamed SBS Transit in 28 November, a reflection of its multi-modal status after acquiring the rights to operate the NEL. New corporate colours chosen and its fleet were repainted accordingly.
2002: SBS 9669 M and SBS 9670 H were released on the roads.
Singapore 1st Air-Conditioned Bus Interchange At Toa Payoh Commence Operation On 19 May 2002
SBS Transit Launches Two New Service 3 Between Tampines & Pasir Ris Street 71 (Loop) & Service 38 Between Tampines & Bedok And Withdrawal Of Feeder/Townlink Service 220, 290, 294, 357 On Sunday, 07 April 2002
SBS Transit Launches New Service 161 Between Hougang Central & Woodlands On Sunday, 02 Jun 2002
Tibs Launches New Service 965 Between Woodlands & Sengkang On Sunday, 07 July 2002
Tibs Express Service 521 Renumbered To Service 963, At The Same Time Extended To Woodlands On Monday, 30 September 2002
SBS Transit Launches New Service 60 Between Eunos & Bedok (Loop) And Withdrawal Of Feeder Service 226 & 385 On Sunday, 17 November 2002
2003: Singapore 2nd Air-Conditioned Bus Interchange At Sengkang Commence Operation On 18 January 2003.
SBS Transit Amendments Service 401 To Orchard Road/Tomlinson Road (Loop) On Saturday, 07 June 2003
SBS Transit Launches New Service 68 Between Tampines & Tampines Industrial Park A (Loop) On Monday, 16 June 2003
Withdrawal Of CSS Service 607 From Sunday, 02 August 2003
SBS Transit Launches New Service 39 Between Tampines & Yishun On Sunday, 17 August 2003
SBS Transit Launches New Service 119 Between Sengkang & Hougang Street 21 (Loop) On Sunday, 14 September 2003
SBS Transit Launches New "Temporary" Service 84 Between Punggol & Punggol East (Loop) On Monday, 15 September 2003
SBS Transit Amendments Service 3 To Punggol Central (Loop) On Sunday, 19 October 2003
SBS Transit Amendments Service 124 To Telok Blangah Drive/Heights (Loop) On Sunday, 23 November 2003
SBS Transit Enhancement Of Townlink Service 291 To Ply Along Tampines Ave 3, Ave 8 and Street 84, Before Plying Street 83 On Sunday, 30 November 2003
The Punggol Temporary Interchange Commence Operation On Sunday, 30 November 2003
Withdrawal Of CSS Service 603 From Sunday, 30 November 2003
SBS Transit Amendment Service 174 To Ply Along Chin Swee Road/Outram Rd Instead Of Eu Tong Sen St/New Bridge Road On Sunday, 07 December 2003
[edit] 2004 - 2005
2004: Tibs renamed SMRT Buses and new livery introduced under SMRT Corp's rebranding exercise.
SBS Transit Launches New Service 115 From Hougang Street 21 To Hougang Ave 3 (Loop), On 30 October 2004.
SBS Transit Launches New Service 160 From Jurong East Int To Kotaraya Ter (JB), On 5 September 2004.
SBS Transit launches 3 New CityBuzz Services (C1 'The Orchard Route'), (C2 'The Chinatown Route') & (C3 'The Little India Route') That Provides Sightseeing Routes For Passengers In The City On 13 December 2004.
2005: SBS Transit Launches New service 181 From Boon Lay Int To Jurong West Ave 3 (Loop), On 9 January 2005.
SBS Transit Launches Chinatown Direct, 3 Services From Ang Mo Kio (CT8), Bedok (CT18), & Clementi (CT28) Connecting Passengers To Chinatown On 21 January 2005.
SBS Transit launches New Parks Service 408 From HarbourFront Int To Labrador Park (Loop), On 12 March 2005.
SBS Transit launches New Service 48 From Upper East Coast To Buona Vista Ter On 3 July 2005.
SBS Transit Launches 3 New service 34, 57 & 58 On 31 July 2005.
SBS Transit launches Fast Forward services that provides a shorter journey time. The 5 services are 10e,30e,89e,97e and 174e. The pioneer service, 97e, skips some stops along the route, which cuts down 20% on the total journey time of the parent, 97. 174e, after 97e, also cuts down approximately 20% of the journey time. For the morning peak route, the service uses Sixth Axe, Holland Rd and Napier Rd to express all the way to Orchard Boulevard. For the evening peak, it uses Napier Rd, Farrer Rd, Adam Rd, and PIE (Pan-Island Expressway) as its express sector.
SBS Transit Launches Another 3 New service 43, 52 & 59 On 23 October 2005.
SBS Transit launches Another New Parks Service 409 from Harbourfront Int To Mount Faber Park (Loop), On 14 November 2005.
The Sembawang Interchange Commence Operation On 20 November 2005.
SMRT Buses Launces New Service 882 From The New Sembawang Interchange To Sembawang Park (Loop), On 20 November 2005.
SBS Transit launches 2 New Fast Forward Service 14e & 196e on 12 December 2005.
[edit] 2006 - 2007
2006: SBS Transit launches New Service 85 From Punggol To Yishun Interchange On 1 January 2006.
SMRT Buses Launches New Express Service 963E From Woodlands To HarbourFront Int On 20 February 2006.
SBS Transit launches New Service 402 From Marina South Pier Ter To Shenton Way/Anson Road (Loop), On 1 April 2006.
SBS Transit launches New service 116 on 3 April 2006. Hence , Service 116 (which ply between Hougang Central Int to Buangkok Green Medical Park) was withdrawn on 15 Aug 2006 due to low demand.
SMRT Buses lauches New Feeder Service 902 from Woodlands Reg Interchange to Republic Poly and only operate in the AM Peak and school days.
SMRT Buses Introduce New Bukit Panjang feeder Service 922 on Sunday, 20 April 2006 from Bukit Panjang Int to Segar Rd (Loop) with a 30 min frequency.
SBS Transit Launches New Service 109 Between Serangoon & Changi Village On Sunday, 28 May 2006.
The Boon Lay Temporary Interchange commence operation on 18 June 2006.
SMRT Buses Launches the new Teachers Estate Service in June 2006
SBS Transit Launches The Volvo B9TL Buses On Monday, 26 June 2006 At The Lauching Ceremory At Pasir Ris Interchange.
Service 21 Was The First To Get The Wheelchair Accessible Bus (WAB) On Tuesday, 27 June 2006.
SMRT Buses introduce a new free Shuttle Service, SMRT Link on Saturday, 8 July 2006 To Chinatown, Dhoby Ghaut & Little India
SBS Transit launches its first newly 'Season Pass' in Sept 2006 for adult with only $98 per month and its only for SBS Transit Buses.
The Clementi Temporary Interchange commence operation on 29 Oct 2006
SBS Transit Launches 2 New Fast Forward Service 74e & 151e On 18 December 2006.
SBS Transit Withdrawn 6 Nite Owl Service 16M, 65M, 89M, 162M, 174M & 181M & Launches 8 New Nite Owl Service 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 7N & 8N On 22 December 2006.
SBS Transit Launches 2 New service 45 & 185 On 26 December 2006.
2007: SBS Transit Withdrawn 3 Citybuzz Service C1, C2, & C3 On 1 January 2007.
SBS Transit Launches 2 New service 5 & 175 & Withdrawn Service 274 On 11 March 2007.
SMRT Buses Launches New Express Service 854E From Yishun To Bedok Int On 9 April 2007.
Singapore 3th Air-Conditioned Bus Interchange At Ang Mo Kio Commence Operation On 28 April 2007.
SMRT Buses Withdrawn The Last CSS Service 608 On 29 April 2007.
SMRT Buses Launches New Express Service 188E From Choa Chu Kang To HarbourFront Int On 25 June 2007.
SBS Transit Launches 13 New Premium Services 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 542, 543, 544 & 545 On Monday, 16 July 2007
SBS Transit Volvo MK2 buses begin to retire
SBS Transit Enhancement Of Feeder Service 372 On Sunday, 28 October 2007
SBS Transit launches the single deck WAB Buses, the Scania K230UBs on 1 November 2007. Services 100 and 174 was the first 2 services to deploy the Scania K230UBs on its route.
SBS Transit Launches 8 New City Shoppers Premium services 551 , 575 , 576 , 577 , 578 , 579 , 580 and 581 on Saturday, 15 December 2007
SMRT Buses Launches the new Shuttle service from Yio Chu Kang MRT to Springleaf/Springside with $1.30 flat fare (concessionary is not applicable) on 26 December 2007
[edit] 2008 - 2009
SBS Transit Launches 7 New Premium Services 548, 549, 550, 555, 556, 557 & 569 On Monday, 25 February 2008.
SBS Transit Launches another 6 New Premium Services 552 , 553 , 554 , 558 , 559 and 585 on Monday , 21 April 2008
SMRT Buses Launches its first low floor bus , the Mercedes Benz OC500LE , which is regoed SMB1H on Sunday , 29 June 2008. The bus is now deployed on 190.
SBS Transit Launches 6 New Premium Services 560, 561, 563, 564, 565, 566 on Monday, 30 June 2008.
SBS Transit and LTA launches New Peak hour Service 128 from Ang Mo Kio to Shenton Way on Monday , 7 July 2008
SBS Transit Chinatown Direct CT28 will only operate during Chinese New Year seasons with effective on Monday , 21 July 2008
SBS Transit Cityshopper Service 551 575 577 and 580 will be withdrawn with effective on Monday , 21 July 2008
SBS Transit Shenton Way Premium 537 and 540 will be withdrawn with effective on Monday , 21 July 2008
SMRT Buses Launches 6 New Premium Services 586, 589, 590, 597, 598, 599 on Monday , 8 September 2008.
