Hougang South Bus Interchange
Hougang South
Hougang South Bus Interchange was a bus interchange, located in Hougang Street 21, which ceased operations on 13 February 2004. The interchange's structure continues to stand pending a major redevelopment of the site, and is currently called Kovan Hub. In the meantime, the vacated building is used to host exhibitions and for commercial purposes, and the bus lots as parking space.
The Hougang South Bus Interchange started operations as Hougang Bus Interchange, serving Hougang New Town. The new town, at that time was just four neighbourhoods, with large tracts to the northwest of Upper Serangoon Road still undeveloped. The commercial centre at Hougang Street 21 thus served as a town centre. From the 1990s, however, the town was rapidly expanded with five more neighbourhoods constructed, and a new, permanent town centre further north was built. As is the case for all other bus interchanges (except the Eunos Bus Interchange) in which they are located in their respective town centres, the Hougang Bus Interchange was to be moved to the new town centre, while the existing facility will be demolished. Its bus services were then amended to terminate at either Serangoon, Hougang Central or Punggol.
Template:Commons When this plan was publicised, it created an uproar amongst the local populance, particularly shopowners in Hougang Street 21. With the help of local politicians, the protests were made to the relevant authorities, resulting in a delay in the interchange's closure. The government was adamant on removing the interchange, however, as it insists it makes little sense to have two bus interchanges in one town, and the opening of the Kovan MRT Station on the North East MRT Line will help to continue bringing in the crowds. It proceeded to build a new, permanent interchange, known as the Hougang Central Bus Interchange, and renamed the existing interchange as the Hougang South Bus Interchange. Although it no longer operates as a bus interchange, locals can still alight and disembark there as a bus stop.
Kovan Hub also serves as a transit stop for coaches to and from Malaysia with popular destinations such as Genting Highlands and Kuala Lumpur, most of which are of the Super VIP type.