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In 1905, Singapore saw its first motorised bus service. These early services were privately run and provided a new mode of transportation compared to the traditional rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages. The buses were basic but marked the beginning of public road transport in Singapore.

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1920s–1930s – Rise of Private Bus Operators

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1920s–1930s – Rise of Private Bus Operators

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By the 1920s, more private Chinese bus companies began operating. One notable company was the Green Bus Company, founded in 1935, which provided services from the city to rural areas like Jurong. Small buses, often called "mosquito buses", became popular in kampongs (villages). However, the lack of regulation led to inconsistent service quality and frequent competition between operators.

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1940s–1960s – Transport Chaos and Decline

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1940s–1960s – Transport Chaos and Decline

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During this period, over 10 private bus companies competed for passengers. They often operated without proper scheduling, leading to unsafe and overcrowded buses, delays, and poor maintenance. Public dissatisfaction grew, and the government recognized the need to centralize and improve public transport.

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1973 – Formation of Singapore Bus Service (SBS)

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1973 – Formation of Singapore Bus Service (SBS)

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On 1 November 1973, the government merged three major companies (Amalgamated Bus Company, Associated Bus Services, and United Bus Company) into Singapore Bus Service (SBS). This move aimed to improve efficiency, standardize fares, and upgrade bus quality. SBS became the main bus operator and introduced new bus models and services across the island.

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As Singapore expanded its MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system, SBS began operating rail lines in addition to buses. On 1 November 2001, it rebranded as SBS Transit to reflect its new identity as a multimodal public transport provider. It now operates the North East Line, Downtown Line, and Sengkang–Punggol LRT, alongside bus routes.

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After 2001-2024 (Present) – Multiple Bus Operators under LTA

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After 2001-2024 (Present) – Multiple Bus Operators under LTA

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Today, Singapore’s public buses are managed under the Bus Contracting Model by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). This means LTA owns the buses and infrastructure, while operators are contracted to run services. The main operators are:

SBS Transit – the largest operator, covering major residential areas.

SMRT Buses – operates mainly in the north and west.

Go-Ahead Singapore – serves routes mainly in Pasir Ris and Punggol.

Tower Transit Singapore – runs buses in areas like Bukit Batok and Jurong.

This model ensures high service quality, accountability, and competition, ultimately benefiting commuters.

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Green Bus Company History – Roots.sg

SBS Transit Milestones – sbstransit.com.sg

About SBS Transit – sbstransit.com.sg

Bus Operators in Singapore – Land Transport Guru

You can tap on the links 🔗 to access them.