SMRT Buses

SMRT Buses

File:SMB179D on Service 61.jpg SMRT Mercedes-Benz Citaro on 61
Parent	SMRT Corporation
Founded	31 May 1982 (as TIBS) 10 May 2004 (rebranded after merger)
Headquarters	Singapore
Service type	Bus service
Routes	98
Stations	6 (Interchanges) 2 (Terminals) 3 (Depots)
Fleet	1138 buses
Daily ridership	931,800 (FY2011)
Chief executive	Tan Ek Kia (Temporary)
Website	SMRT Buses Website

A mix of resprayed buses in red livery with some in older, yellow Tibs livery parked at Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange

Interior of a Mercedes-Benz O405G with Hispano Habit bodywork

SMRT Buses (originally Trans Island Bus Services (TIBS) ) is a public bus transport operator in Singapore. Singapore currently hosts a duopoly transport system in which SMRT's only competitor is SBS Transit, which also operates bus services in Singapore. The company was incorporated as TIBS on 31 May 1982, in a heavily regulated market, to be a competitor to Singapore Bus Service. In accordance with restructuring at parent company SMRT Corporation, TIBS (Trans-Island Bus Services) was renamed "SMRT Buses" on 10 May 2004.

History

In 1982, the company ran with a fleet of 37 buses and two services, 160 (later renumbered 980) and 167. Later, more services were handed over to them by the government along with the tender to operate services in the northern region, mainly Yishun and the developing Woodlands New Town.

In 1995, as part of the government's plan to make the local bus system more competitive, 16 SBS services were handed over to TIBS along with the tender to operate bus services in the north-east corridor, mainly the developing towns Sengkang and Punggol as well as Bukit Panjang.

In 1996, TIBS began operations at the Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange, Singapore's first underground bus interchange. It was also the first bus interchange designed to accommodate articulated, or bendy buses. TIBS used articulated buses, some of which were designed by world-renowned designer Pininfarina and known as the Habit bendy buses, on a large scale in its fleet, in contrast to the double-deckers used by SBS Transit.

Things changed in 1999, when SBS won the tender to operate the North East Line in the north-east corridor. In order to allow better coordination and synergy between rail and buses, SBS was allowed to take back control of bus services in the northeast. In return, TIBS and SMRT agreed to merge, and TIBS was to operate bus services in the north-west corridor towns of Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok.

The handover was done in stages. Eight TIBS services in the northeastern corridor were handed over to SBS in 1999. In 2004, the merger was officially complete, and TIBS officially adopted the name SMRT Buses to reflect their merger with SMRT.

In 2008, SMRT Buses initiated a fleet replacement to replace the retiring Nissan Diesel buses with 134 wheelchair-accessible Mercedes-Benz OC500LE buses. All the Mercedes-Benz OC500LEs are in service and are equipped with In Bus Announcement Systems.

In the following year, SMRT Buses was handed over a Mercedes-Benz Citaro (O530) and the demonstrator bus, registered as SMB136C, is currently serving SMRT Bus Service 855, plying between Yishun Interchange and Harbourfront Interchange via Upper Thomson Road, Farrer Road and Lower Delta Road.

In January 2010, SMRT Buses has announced that there will be services from Mainland Singapore to Resorts World Sentosa. RWS 8 (Harbourfront MRT), 188R (Choa Chu Kang Interchange), as well as 963R (Woodlands Regional Interchange) were launched to the Resorts World Sentosa. More services can be expected. Concessions passes and prices are non applicable on these services.

As of 3 December 2011, 13 bus services and 5 SMRT bus interchanges are wheelchair accessible.

As of 25 November 2011, 50 new citaros were on the road. In July 2011, SMRT placed an order of another 200 MAN NL323F buses from ST Kinetics which begin revenue service in October 2011.

Bus stations

SMRT Buses operates 6 bus interchanges, 3 depots and 2 bus terminals.

Bus Interchanges

• Bukit Batok Bus Interchange
• Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange
• Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange
• Sembawang Bus Interchange
• Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange
• Yishun Bus Interchange

Bus Terminals

• Lorong 1 Geylang Bus Terminal
• Marina Centre Bus Terminal

Bus Depots

• Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot
• Kranji Bus Depot
• Woodlands Bus Depot

Bus fleet

SMRT Buses currently has a fleet of 1175 buses plying 98 routes, and is the second-largest bus transit company in Singapore after SBS Transit. It is the only bus operator to have an all air-conditioned fleet. Its WABs (Mercedes-Benz OC500LEs, Citaros and MAN NL323F (A22) have the MRT's doors closing announcement when the exit doors close while older buses have a repeated beeping sound.

Current bus fleet

Model	Image	Bodywork manufacturer	Year Introduced	Units Introduced	Registered As	Notes
Nissan Diesel U31RCN		Fuji Heavy Industries	1992–1993	50	CSS178K-CSS207K, TIB362M-TIB377X, TIB1248D-TIB1256E except CSS199A, CSS200D, CSS201B and CSS206M	These are the remnants of Trans Island's once almost all Japanese fleet. De-registering this month. Refurbishment completed.
DAF SB220		Walter Alexander	1995	45	TIB675K-TIB724C	Sentanta bodywork. TIB675K, TIB680U, TIB696A, TIB718X and TIB724C were deregistered. Refurbishment completed.TIB692K and TIB707C are currently used as Training Bus from Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP). De-registering in October 2012. TIB700X uses a MB O405 front after an accident in 2002. Some installed with LAWO BENEFIT/Mobitec MobiLED EDS replacing the old LAWO Laminator system.
Dennis Lance	File:TIB937E on 804.jpg	Duple Metsec	1998	68	TIB906U-TIB946D TIB1257C (former CSS310U)	TIB931X, TIB936H and TIB941S were deregistered.TIB908P and TIB928G are Layup. TIB939A used a MB O405 front bumper after an accident in 1999 but switched back to a Lance bumper after a subsequent accident. Narrower EDS. (TIB907S, TIB910G, TIB928G and TIB940U have a UK front with the original EDS.)
			2000		TIB1002X-TIB1016G	TIB1004R is deregistered UK Wider EDS. TIB1010Y has a LAWO BENEFIT EDS.
		Volgren			TIB1017D and TIB1018B	TIB1017D and TIB1018B currently used as Training Bus from Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot (AMDEP).
Hino HS3KRK		Volgren	1998	12	TIB905Y	TIB905Y is a demonstrator unit.
			1999		TIB947B-TIB957Y	TIB947B and TIB948Z are currently used as Training Bus from Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP).
Mercedes-Benz O405		Hispano Carrocera	1994-1995	323	TIB425R-TIB561E TIB572Z-TIB634D	Refurbishment started for lifespan extension. TIB488J has roof-mounted Konvekta air-conditioning. TIB612S has 2 additional foldable seats installed.TIB425R - TIB456B, TIB458X - TIB460M, TIB462H, TIB464C - TIB466Y, TIB468S, TIB469P, TIB472D, TIB475X, TIB476T, TIB481C, TIB495M and TIB542K are fully refurbished. TIB597C is the first bus to have a Coolair EDS. Some of this buses installed with LAWO BENEFIT/Mobitec MobiLED EDS .
			1995		TIB725A-TIB797S	Refurbishment starting soon for lifespan extension. Hispacold or Denso air conditioning installed (these are CAC buses) TIB783G has a Transit Media EDS. TIB792E has non-sliding windows installed, similar to the OACs. TIB741C and TIB779U has underfloor HispaCold air conditioning. Some installed with LAWO BENEFIT/Mobitec MobiLED EDS replacing the older Hanover EDS.
			1996		TIB798P-TIB832Z	TIB801M is currently used as Training Bus from Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP). Some of these buses have LAWO BENEFIT/Mobitec MobiLED EDS installed.
		Volgren	1999		TIB958U-TIB972C	TIB969M currently use as Training Bus from Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP). Some of these buses now serve cross border services . Some installed with Mobitec MobiLED EDS
Mercedes-Benz O405G		Hispano Carrocera	1996	57	TIB838H (demonstrator) TIB849B-TIB904A	Mk 1 bodywork, nicknamed "Box" type. TIB900K is deregistered. TIB861P is the first refurbished bendy bus TIB890E is the only public bus in Singapore with headrest seats. Refurbishment is ongoing. Some installed with Mobitec MobiLED/Gorba EDS replacing the Hanover EDS system .
			1999–2000	258	TIB973A-TIB1001Z	Mk 2 bodywork, nicknamed "Smiley" type. TIB982Z is the first refurbished bendy bus TIB986M has no Smiley front due to an accident.Refurbishment is ongoing.Installed with Mobitec MobiLED
					TIB1019Z-TIB1023K TIB1025E-TIB1177A TIB1198P-TIB1247G	Habit type. TIB1034D has a Hanover LED EDS TIB1074M was burnt, and is currently laid-up. TIB1110S is deregistered. TIB1105H was rebuilt with a new engine and a different interior, due to a fire. It was given a LAWO Benefit EDS and can be considered as the first Habit bendy to be refurbished. Some installed with Mobitec MobiLED EDS.
		Volgren			TIB1024H	TIB1024H is a demonstrator unit and had a Lawo Luminator Europa Aluma EDS, before getting retrofitted with a Mobitec LobiLED EDS.
					TIB1178Y-TIB1197S	All production units named TIB1178Y - TIB1197S, expect TIB1191H, has Mobitec MobiLED displays replacing the original Transit Media flip dot displays.
Scania L113CRL		Greek Hellenic Vehicle Industry	1996	64	TIB833X-TIB837K TIB839E-TIB848D	Only TIB837K, TIB840A-TIB842U, TIB844P and TIB846J-TIB848D are left. De-registering in 2013. Refurbishment is completed.
		Walter Alexander	1994–1995		TIB562C-TIB571B TIB635B-TIB674M	Strider bodywork. TIB643C is deregistered. TIB566S is currently laid up due to a fire on 17 April 2011. Refurbishment completed.
Mercedes-Benz OC500LE		Gemilang Coachworks Sdn Bhd	2008–2009	134	SMB1H	SMB1H is a demonstrator unit. Currently used as training bus from Kranji Bus Depot (KJDEP).
					SMB2E-SMB67T	Batch 1. Euro V compliant. Advertised as the first Euro V low floor buses in South-east Asia. Two Batch 1 buses (SMB19H and SMB67T) have now serve cross border services.
					SMB68R-SMB134H	Batch 2. Euro V compliant. Advertised as the first Euro V low floor buses in South-east Asia. 8 Batch 2 buses (SMB69M-SMB71E, SMB84T, SMB98D, SMB99B, SMB126G and SMB127D) has now serve cross border services. SMB91Y has a Mobitec MobiLED EDS as its original LAWO BENEFIT EDS was destroyed in an accident. SMB70H is laid-up for an unknown reason.
Mercedes-Benz Citaro (O530)		EvoBus GmbH	2010	51	SMB136C	SMB136C is a Demonstrator unit
			2011		SMB139U-SMB148T	These production units have purple/blue seat covers instead of the standard Citaro covers. Also have LAWO BENEFIT Electronic Display System and rear swinging plug doors.
			2011		SMB149R-SMB188C
MAN NL323F(A22)		MCV	2011	1	SMB138Y	MCV eVolution bodywork. SMB138Y is a demonstrator unit and is the first bus in Singapore to have sliding plug doors at the exit.
		Gemilang Coachworks Sdn Bhd	2011–2012	200	SMB189A-SMB388S	This bus' bodywork is based on that of the MAN Lion's City Hybrid. Delivery ongoing.

Former buses

Model	Image	Bodymaker	Year Introduced	Units Introduced	Registered As	Remarks
DAF SB220LT		Hispano	1993	33	TIB391D - TIB424T	Sold to New Zealand (Bayes Coachlines) or scrapped.
Hino RK176		Hino integral body	1983	42	TIB1E - TIB42L	Scrapped
Hino HT228KA		Hino integral body	1983	104	TIB146X - TIB250C	Scrapped
Nissan Diesel U31F		Fuji Coach	1989	55	TIB43J - TIB44G TIB85M - TIB112T TIB121S - TIB145Z	Scrapped
Nissan Diesel U31RCN		Fuji Heavy Industries	1992–1993	50	CSS178K-CSS207K, TIB362M-TIB377X, TIB1248D-TIB1256E except CSS199A, CSS200D, CSS201B and CSS206M	Only CSS185P, CSS194M, CSS196H, CSS204T, CSS205R, CSS207K, TIB362M, TIB363K, TIB365E, TIB369U,TIB370P, TIB375B are left.
Nissan Diesel U31SCN		Fuji Heavy Industries	1990	46	TIB251A - TIB336P TIB390G	Scrapped
Scania L113CRL		Greek Hellenic Vehicle Industry	1996	15	TIB833X-TIB837K TIB839E-TIB848D	TIB837K, TIB840A-TIB842U, TIB846J-TIB848D are left.
Yutong ZK6126		Yutong Integral Body	2009	1	SMB135E	Singapore's first Made in China city bus. SMRT rejected the bus after the 1 year trial and it is currently registered as PC194T with Bedok Transport
Zhongtong LCK6121G HEV		ZhongTong Integral Body	2011	1	SMB137A	SMB137A is a demonstrator unit. Diesel-electric hybrid bus. F1RST hybrid bus operated by SMRT Buses. The 6-Month trial for this bus has ended. Bus is currently laid-up

Bus routes

SMRT Buses operates many different types of bus routes and bus services, taking up the smaller part of the pie of Singapore's duopoly bus system in almost all areas of Singapore especially the North and Northwest areas.

• Trunk: Routes that ply between towns. These are the basic forms of SMRT bus services. Fares are distance-related and differential up to 8 fare bands.
• Short working Trips (SWT): Routes that operate short haul trips between origin-destination pairs with high demand, such as the area near an MRT station. It operated a subset of the parent route and there can be more than one SWT per trunk route.
• Feeder: Services that operate within a neighbourhood, connecting outlying areas to the town centre or bus interchange. (Loops around from an interchange, around one or more neighbourhoods or towns and then terminates at the starting interchange). As a name suggest, it is to feed the commuters to the trunk services or MRT services at the terminal/interchange. A flat fare, equivalent to the first fare band is charged per entry.
• Intra-town: Routes that consist of combined feeder services to provide links and improve connectivity between neighborhoods within the same town. (Somewhat identical to a feeder service except that, other than when stopping a 'session', the service will not terminate at the interchange but will re-run its route immediately after letting passengers alight, in essence, a true loop)
• Express: Routes that stop at several nominated and sparsely located stops and generally run on expressways for faster travel between several towns. This is a basic-plus service charging higher fares.
• Cross Border Services: Bus services will cross the Singaporean Border into Malaysia. the bus service usually terminates at Kota Raya terminal.
• Resorts World Sentosa: Bus services start with RWS followed by 8. The service will start from HarbourFront MRT Station.
• Premium: A single trip from the designated neighborhoods during the morning peak hours on weekdays to the CBD. Fees are flat rated ($3 to $5 depending on the distance traveled) and standing is prohibited on Premium Services. The scheduled arrival time at individual bus stops are provided.
• NightRider: After-hour services on Friday, Weekends and Eve of Public Holidays.

External links

• SMRT Bus Guide
• Commuter Guide
• Getting Around
• Public Transport Journey Planner