The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the contract for the Tampines bus package to The Go-Ahead Group (GAS). The contract, estimated at a total fee of $646 million[1] over the five-year contract period, will commence from 5 July 2026. LTA has the option to extend the contract by between two and five years at the end of the five-year term.
2 The Tampines bus package is currently operated by SBS Transit Ltd (SBST) and consists of 27 routes[2] operating from Bedok North Bus Depot. Under the new contract, Go-Ahead Singapore will begin operations at the new East Coast Integrated Depot, and manage Tampines Bus Interchange, Tampines Concourse Bus Interchange, Tampines North Bus Interchange and Changi Business Park Bus Terminal.
Evaluation process
3 The tender for the Tampines bus package was called on 19 December 2024. Tender submissions were evaluated based on a two-envelope process, whereby quality evaluation was conducted before price submissions were opened, therefore ensuring that LTA receives the best value-for-money proposal. Given large-scale electric bus deployment in this package, LTA placed greater emphasis on the proposal’s quality, particularly in electric bus operations and maintenance capabilities. Please see Annex A for the bidders of the Tampines bus package.
4 GAS[3] was awarded the contract because they received the highest total score for their proposal. GAS’ proposal also offered cost savings for LTA compared to the current contract. GAS’ proposal included initiatives that would help to raise the industry’s capabilities for large-scale electric bus deployment, building on its UK Group’s experience and expertise in operating the largest fleet of electric buses in London:
- GAS will work with the Singapore Bus Academy to establish a satellite centre in Singapore to facilitate knowledge transfer and build expertise in electric bus operations for the industry. The centre will develop a team of skilled local electric bus specialists to support Singapore's transition to a cleaner energy public bus fleet.
- GAS will utilise AI-driven tools to aid Service Controllers in regulating intervals between buses and controlling bus deployment. This will help to reduce bus bunching and improve service reliability.
5 GAS will also introduce commuter-friendly initiatives, such as ‘Caring Corners’ at bus interchanges and ‘Baby on board’ badges for pregnant commuters, as well as enhance staff welfare programmes.
Workers’ support and redeployment plans
6 Current SBST employees from the Tampines bus package will be protected by the Public Transport Tripartite Committee’s Guidelines on Good Employment Practices in the Public Bus Industry and must be offered a job by GAS, the incoming operator, at employment terms that are no worse-off compared to current employment terms. GAS has also committed to ensuring that the renumeration for the current workforce remains competitive. Affected employees can also choose to join GAS or be redeployed by their current employer where feasible.
