SMRT is currently tendering for 66 12-metre buses. The tender ends 2 December 2008.

Added Convenience For Public Transport Users -
Public Transport Portal And Real-Time SMS Bus Arrival Information

1. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) introduced two new initiatives today to further enhance convenience for public transport users. The two initiatives are: PublicTransport@SG, a one-stop public transport portal which provides information covering all public transport operators, and a real-time Short Message Service (SMS) bus arrival information service, SMS-BA. These initiatives will help make public transport a choice mode, by making it easier for commuters to plan their journeys.

PublicTransport@SG

2. Starting 17 October 2008, public transport commuters, including tourists, need only visit one website, PublicTransport@SG (www.publictransport.sg), to access reliable and up-to-date public transport-related information.

3. The following features can be found on the website:

1. Interactive maps for basic and premium bus routes; locations of public transport nodes such as bus stops, bus interchanges and MRT/ LRT stations; and the Park and Ride car park locations;
2. Bus service information, including routes and fares;
3. Key Bus Services Maps for tourists and infrequent public transport users. Each map provides pictorial information on key bus service stops and routes. The Maps also show MRT stations, significant buildings, tourist attractions and major shopping malls;
4. MRT and LRT rail system maps;
5. The Public Transport Guide, a comprehensive guide designed mainly for tourists;
6. Premium bus service information;
7. Taxi service information;
8. Real-time Bus Arrival information along the Western academic belt and the 50 bus stops installed with the Real-time Bus Arrival panels;
9. Real-time SMS Bus Arrival (SMS-BA) guide;
10. Hyperlinks to related websites such as the Public Transport Journey Planner, the Singapore Tourist Pass, and public transport operators' websites; and
11. Latest news on public transport promotions and initiatives.

Real-Time SMS Bus Arrival Information

4. LTA will implement a pilot service for public transport commuters to retrieve real-time bus arrival information via SMS. This initiative is an extension of the existing real-time bus arrival information panels at bus stops1.

5. LTA's new real-time SMS bus arrival information service complements SBST's iris system, which was the first to provide bus arrival time service via SMS to commuters. However, LTA's new system covers both SBST and SMRT bus services, helping commuters to better manage waiting time, transfers and make more informed travel decisions.

6. The SMS service will be on trial for six months beginning 10 October 2008 and will be available for the 166 bus stops along the Western academic belt. This belt includes tertiary institutions such as the National University of Singapore and Singapore Polytechnic; post-secondary institutions such as Clementi ITE and Jurong Junior College; as well as secondary and primary schools. This belt was chosen to tap on a pool of about 55,000 technologically savvy students who frequently utilize services such as SMS. Please refer to Annex A for more details.

7. Commuters may retrieve real-time bus arrival information in two ways.

1. For the next arrival time for all services at the selected bus stop, send an SMS to 77722 with the five digit bus stop code located on the bus stop pole.
2. For the next and subsequent bus arrival time of a specific bus service at the selected bus stop, send an SMS to 77722 with the five digit bus stop code located on the bus stop pole and the bus service number.

The real-time bus arrival information will be provided via an SMS reply.

8. This SMS service will be available daily from 4.00am to 1.00am, which follows the typical basic bus service operating hours from 5.30am till midnight. Normal charges apply for the SMS request. The information provided (sent to the user) will be free for the first 6 months.

From 28 October 2008, SBS Transit CityShoppers will have the following changes:

1. Service 576 will be suspended till further notice.

2. Operating hours will be revised to 12pm to 4pm on weekdays and 12pm to 9pm on weekends.

SMRT has introduced 6 more Premium services with effect from 8 September 2008. In summary:

Service 586: Bukit Panjang Ring Road - Jurong East Central
Service 589: Sunset Way - Fullerton Road
Service 590: Choa Chu Kang Crescent - Shenton Way
Service 597: Toa Payoh Lorong 2 / 1 - Shenton Way
Service 598: Petir Road - Shenton Way
Service 599: Hougang Street 51 - Shenton Way

For more information, please view the SMRT official press release at http://www.smrt.com.sg/upload/SMRT_buses_rolls_out_six_new_Premium_Bus_S...

This article is originally published on Scania AB website Press Release.

SBS Transit, Singapore’s leading public transport company, has ordered 400 Scania buses in addition to the 500 units ordered in 2007. With engines featuring exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology, these buses will meet both 2009 European emission standards (Euro 5) and the stricter enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle (EEV) standard. The delivery also includes Scania’s systems for logging and monitoring of vehicle performance data.

The order is part of SBS Transit’s on-going replacement of its fleet of 2,800 buses with vehicles featuring better environmental performance. The buses that Scania will now deliver are the first in the SBS fleet that will meet both Euro 5 and EEV standards.

“This additional order is evidence that SBS Transit has confidence in Scania as a supplier. It is not just a matter of the passenger comfort, quality, environmental performance and operating economy of these buses. Also decisive has been Scania’s ability to live up to the demand for a long-term partner that can adapt its products and services to the needs of SBS Transit,” says Norman Koh, General Manager of Scania Singapore.

Scania’s commitment to SBS Transit includes training the company’s drivers in fuel-efficient and safe driving and supporting the build-up of systems for monitoring the performance and operating costs of the buses.

“Another factor is good experience with our bus bodybuilder and other local partners, whose deliveries of the previous order demonstrated high quality and the ability to deliver according SBS Transit’s requirements,” Mr Koh says.

All the buses will have bodywork produced by Gemilang Coachworks in Malaysia. Deliveries will begin next year.

The buses are of the low-entry type and will be equipped with Scania’s 230 hp, 9-litre Euro 5 engine employing Scania EGR technology and particulate filters to meet the stricter EEV standard. With EGR, emissions are reduced right from the combustion stage, eliminating the need for aftertreatment equipment and additive tanks on the vehicle.

Service 6 uses a double decker with effect from today. The crossover from service 2 is no longer in operation. The double deck is SBS 9537 K.

Volvo B9TLs are deployed on service 151 w.e.f. from today. Service 151 plies between Hougang Central and Kent Ridge.

SBS 8031 J is officially deployed for revenue service on service 6.

Consolidated list of approved service changes by PTC for the months of May and June 2008:

May 2008

SBS Transit
Introduction of off-peak trunk Service 41

SBS Transit
Premium Bus Service between Yishun Ring Road and Orchard Road/Shenton Way

SBS Transit
Introduction of Fast Forward Service 170e

SBS Transit
Fare revision for 13 Premium Bus Services

SBS Transit
Amendment of trunk Service 76

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service between Sin Ming Avenue and Orchard Road/Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service between Sunset Way and Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service between Choa Chu Kang Road and Orchard Road/Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Fare revision for Premium Bus Service 531

June 2008

SBS Transit
Introduction of peak trunk Service 16

SBS Transit
Introduction of cross-territorial trunk Service 117

SBS Transit
Withdrawal of trunk Service 115 due to weak demand

SBS Transit
Withdrawal of trunk Service 68 due to weak demand

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service between Toa Payoh Interchange and Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service from Petir Road to Orchard Road/Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service between Hougang Street 51 and Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Premium Bus Service from Bayshore Road to Suntec City/Shenton Way

SMRT Buses
Route extension for Springside & Springleaf Estates Shuttle Bus Service

CityShopper services 551, 575, 577 and 580 with be withdrawn from monday, 21 July 2008.