Friday, 19 September 2025

̶L̶o̶n̶d̶o̶n̶ Singapore Bus Tender Awards: Go-Ahead Singapore Wins Tampines Bus Package Consisting of 27 Routes

In this recent London ahem Singapore Bus Tender Awards, announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Go-Ahead Singapore has won the Tampines Bus Package, which consists of 27 routes.

Here’s the press release from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority:


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.
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
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.
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.

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
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.
[1] Excluding any adjustment for inflation, change in wage levels and fuel costs, service variation or incentive payment during the contract period.
[2] Service 4, 10, 10e, 18, 19, 20, 23, 28, 29, 31, 37, 38, 39, 47, 65, 69, 72, 81, 127, 129, 291, 292, 293, 296, 298/298X, 299 & 513
[3] GAS submitted compliant bids for both its base and alternative proposals.
Annex A – Bidders for the Tampines Bus Package
Price for 5 years (S$):
SBS Transit Ltd (Base): S$596,016,898.92
SMRT Buses Ltd (Base): S$613,495,283.00
The Go-Ahead Group Limited (Base): S$651,343,327.61
The Go-Ahead Group Limited (Alternative)*: S$646,244,809.73
Tower Transit Singapore Ltd (Base): S$617,021,481.00
Tower Transit Singapore Ltd (Alternative 1): S$610,453,915.00
Tower Transit Singapore Ltd (Alternative 2): S$615,455,246.00
Bravo Transport Holdings Limited (Base)^: –
SBS Transit Ltd (Alternative)^: –
* Winning tenderer
^ Bravo Transport Holdings Limited’s base bid and SBS Transit Ltd’s alternative bid were not considered in the price evaluation.

This is the kind of transparency I like to see from Transport for London and other UK transport authorities when they introduce bus franchising.

Here's the press release by Go-Ahead Group:

The Go-Ahead Group has been awarded a significant new contract by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA), almost doubling its operations in the country.

From summer 2026, Go-Ahead Singapore will begin operating bus services in Tampines on a five-year contract, extendable for a period of up to five years. The contract covers 27 routes operating from the new five-storey East Coast Bus Depot. Services will run on a fleet of around 400 buses, which includes over 250 zero-emission buses – one of the largest electric bus operations in Asia.

This builds on Go-Ahead’s established role as a leader in sustainable transport. The company previously introduced Singapore’s first zero-emission bus on behalf of LTA and continues to pioneer innovation with initiatives such as ultra-thin solar panels on buses and the Helping Hands customer service programme.

Go-Ahead Singapore has operated in the country since 2016 from Loyang Bus Depot and was recently recognised by The Straits Times as one of Singapore’s Best Employers. With the award of the Tampines contract, Go-Ahead Singapore will expand to over 2,000 colleagues and operate a total fleet of over 800 buses, including more than 270 zero-emission vehicles – with scope to introduce further electric buses during the contract period.

Leveraging its global expertise, Go-Ahead Singapore will bring in international best practices in electric bus operations to enhance service reliability, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Drawing from its experience across multiple markets, the company will setup a Satellite Centre of Excellence in Singapore to build expertise in electric bus operations and maintenance for the industry. It will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into operations and maintenance to improve overall safety, energy efficiency, and operational excellence.

Recognising the importance of its workforce, Go-Ahead Singapore is committed to enhancing employee welfare through comprehensive programmes focusing on health, safety, and professional development.

Beyond quality service, commuters can look forward to more inclusivity and community engagement initiatives that will improve their public transport journeys. The company will create community spaces at bus interchanges to foster a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages social interaction and accessibility and introduce initiatives such as “baby on board” badges for pregnant commuters.

Matt Carney, CEO – Go-Ahead, Bus, said: “Next year marks 10 years since Go-Ahead began operating in Singapore, and we’re delighted to celebrate this milestone by growing our business. As a leader in sustainable transport, we’re proud to support the Land Transport Authority’s transition to zero-emission transport and to provide reliable, punctual and sustainable bus services to more customers.”

Leonard Lee, Managing Director, Go-Ahead Singapore, added: “This is an exciting step forward for Go-Ahead Singapore. We are grateful to the Land Transport Authority for placing their confidence in us and are honoured to be awarded the Tampines Bus Package. We look forward to serving commuters in Tampines with greener journeys, while working closely with the NTWU to ensure a seamless transition for affected employees.”

As for the supply of new buses, the LTA buys them directly and specifies features like three doors, two staircases (for double-deckers), and two wheelchair spaces to improve accessibility. The three-door, two-staircase specification is inspired by the New Routemaster bus used in London. This is the approach Transport for London needs to take to improve accessibility, which I mentioned in my previous article. That is why TfL and bus operating companies should showcase different bus specifications used in various areas to better support accessibility.

#Singapore GeBIZ: Procurement of Electric Buses Tender No. LTA000ETT25000027 Closing on 22 May 2025 Tenderers must meet these criteria: compliance with Road Traffic Rules, one entrance, two exits, low-floor interior, two wheelchair bays, and two staircases. www.gebiz.gov.sg/ptn/opportun...

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