Go-Ahead Singapore to run 27 bus routes in Tampines, taking over from SBS Transit

SINGAPORE: Go-Ahead Singapore will take over from SBS Transit and operate 27 bus routes in Tampines from Jul 5, 2026, after being awarded a S$646 million (US$503 million) contract, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Friday (Sep 19). 

The contract for the Tampines bus package is for five years, with an option for LTA to extend it by between two and five years. 

Go-Ahead will operate the services out of the upcoming East Coast integrated depot, and manage Tampines, Tampines Concourse and Tampines North bus interchanges, as well as the Changi Business Park bus terminal.

The Tampines bus package currently operates from Bedok North bus depot.

The package was put up for tender in December 2024 and drew bids from SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit Singapore and Go-Ahead. LTA said the proposals were evaluated through a two-envelope process, with quality evaluation done before the price submissions were opened. 

“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,” LTA said.

Go-Ahead secured the highest total score and offered cost savings compared to the current contract, according to LTA. 

Its bid included initiatives to build industry expertise in electric bus operations, such as setting up a satellite training centre with the Singapore Bus Academy. This centre will develop a team of skilled local electric bus specialists to support Singapore's transition to a cleaner energy public bus fleet, said LTA.

“(Go-Ahead Singapore’s) 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,” said LTA.

The group also proposed commuter-friendly initiatives such as “caring corners” at bus interchanges and “baby on board” badges for pregnant commuters, as well as enhanced staff welfare programmes.

With the new contract, Go-Ahead Singapore said on Friday that its workforce will be expanded to around 2,000 employees and that it will operate a fleet of over 800 buses, including more than 270 electric buses.

LTA said that current SBS Transit employees who are part of the Tampines bus package will be protected by the Public Transport Tripartite Committee’s guidelines on good employment practices in the public bus industry.

The employees must also be offered a job by Go-Ahead Singapore with employment terms that are no worse off than the current ones.

“(Go-Ahead Singapore) has also committed to ensuring that the remuneration for the current workforce remains competitive,” said LTA.

“Affected employees can also choose to join (Go-Ahead Singapore) or be redeployed by their current employer where feasible.”

National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) executive secretary Yeo Wan Ling said on Friday that the change in operator will affect about 700 employees.

"With the package’s stronger reliance on electric buses, workers can also look forward to new training and skills opportunities," she said in a Facebook post.

Go-Ahead Singapore managing director Leonard Lee added the operator will work closely with NTWU to "ensure a seamless transition for affected employees".

Go-Ahead Singapore currently operates 31 bus services from Loyang depot, in addition to four City Direct Services - express buses that connect residential areas to the Central Business District (CBD) during weekday peak hours.

It has been a unionised company with NTWU since entering Singapore nine years ago.

CNA has contacted SBS Transit for more information about Go-Ahead Singapore taking over the Tampines bus package.