SMRT BUSES LTD

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM (BUSES) IN SINGAPORE

1902

The Singapore Electric Tramsway Limited was the first company given the go-ahead to build, equip and run tramsways. Six lines were laid through the town and trams started running in 1905. At its peak, trams carried an average of 11,000 passengers daily.

1925

In October 1925, the Shanghai Electric Construction Company Limited established the Singapore Traction Company (STC). STC was given a 30-year monopoly to run trolley buses and motor buses within the town. By 1929, there were 90 trolley buses serving a total distance of 30.5 km.

The rural and fringe areas were served by smaller Chinese bus companies managed by individuals. These bus companies operated very few routes and had only a few buses. They were nicknamed 'mosquito buses' for the way they weaved in and out of traffic. These 'mosquito buses' became increasingly popular, and by 1921, there were 147 of them. By 1927, the number had increased to 456 buses.

1927

In 1927, the electric tramcars were replaced by the trolley buses. In December 1962, the trolley buses were phased out by faster motor buses.

1955

The state of public transport was far from satisfactory. It was plagued with numerous problems like operational difficulties, poor management and labour unrest. In the mid-1950s, the situation deteriorated further. Militant bus workers, manipulated by communist-controlled unions, frequently resorted to work stoppages paralysing the whole bus system. In 1955, the Chinese bus companies were hit by a total of 57 strikes and in 1956, the 'Great STC Strike' lasted 146 days. The chaotic conditions usually left the commuters in a lurch.

1970

It was only in the early seventies that the bus system underwent its first major reorganisation. The ten Chinese bus companies were amalgamated into three bus companies and grouped into three regional sectors. The Amalgamated Bus Company Limited served the eastern sector of Singapore; the Associated Bus Services (Private) Limited had its services plying the western sector; the United Bus Limited served the northern sector; and the southern sector fell under the STC's area of operation.

1971

Despite the reorganisation, the transport situation did not improve. Bus commuters had to put up with frequent breakdowns, under-operation of bus services, irregular fares and route structures. It was also during this time that STC closed down its operations due to great financial losses.

1973

A second reorganisation of the bus system took place. The three Chinese bus companies were merged into a single, unified organisation. The new company, the Singapore Bus Service (SBS), came into operation in November 1973.

1974

In 1974, the government introduced the Scheme B system. This system allowed school and other buses and good vehicles to ply for passengers along authorised routes during the peak hours. These vehicles provided a link between the residential estates and the central business district and the industrial areas.

1975

To further improve the transport system, the City Shuttle Service, jointly operated by the Singapore Shuttle Bus Private Limited and the NTUC Comfort, was introduced to ply between fringe car parks and the Central Business District in 1975. The service was later extended to cover the public housing estates.

1982

Trans-Island Bus Services Limited was incorporated on 31 May 1982 as the second major public bus operator. This was to provide some measure of competition to SBS and ultimately, improve the level of service provided by bus operators. Tibs started operations on 3 April 1983.

According to Mr Ong Teng Cheong, the then Minister for Communications, "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."

1995

In August 1994, the government announced the transfer of 17 SBS services to Trans-Island Bus. Tibs' areas of responsibilities were expanded to include Bukit Panjang New Town and the upcoming towns of Sembawang, Simpang, Seng Kang and Punggol.

To create a greater level of awareness among the residents of Bukit Panjang on Tibs' takeover of services there, four bus displays were held in June 1995 to gather feedback as well as let the residents experience first-hand the features of our new Mercedes buses. On 2 July 1995, Tibs took over three SBS services in Bukit Panjang. The final phase of takeover was on 17 December 1995.

1996

On 4 February 1996, Tibs acquired Singapore's first underground bus interchange - Woodlands Regional Interchange. Occupying an area of 36,000 square metres with 16 boarding and alighting berths, the Woodlands Regional Interchange was officially declared opened by Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong on 10 February 1996.

Currently, Tibs operates from five major interchanges in the northern part of Singapore namely Bukit Batok Interchange, Bukit Panjang Interchange,Choa Chu Kang Interchange, Yishun Interchange and Woodlands Regional Interchange.

NUMBER OF SERVICES OPERATED BY SMRT BUSES AND SSB

as at 25 February 2004

Current no of services operated: 2

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