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1970s – Concept and Feasibility

1972: First Concept Plan recommends a rail system to support land use and population growth.

1975: Government begins feasibility studies.

1979: French company SOFRETU concludes that a Mass Rapid Transit system is feasible.

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Early History (1920s–1960s): The Birth of Public Buses

1925: The Singapore Traction Company (STC) was established to replace the electric tramway with a trolleybus system.

14 August 1926: The first trolleybuses began operations between Joo Chiat Road and Tanjong Pagar.

1929: STC introduced motorbuses, with seven Dennis G-type buses plying between Geylang and Finlayson Green.

1935: Informal "mosquito buses" operated by private individuals emerged, leading to increased competition and regulation.

1942–1945: During the Japanese Occupation, all bus operations were unified under the Japanese administration.

Post-WWII: STC resumed operations, and by 1950, the bus fleet had expanded significantly.

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1970s: Nationalization and Reorganization

1971: The government reorganized the bus system, amalgamating 11 small bus companies into three larger ones: Amalgamated Bus Company, Associated Bus Services, and United Bus Company.

1 December 1971: STC ceased its bus operations due to financial difficulties.

1 July 1973: The three regional bus companies merged to form Singapore Bus Services (SBS).

1974: The government seconded a team to overhaul SBS's management and operations, leading to significant improvements in service standards.

1977: SBS introduced its first double-decker buses on route 86 between Tampines Way and Shenton Way.

1978: SBS was publicly listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

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1980s – MRT Construction and First Operations

North-South Line (NSL) and East-West Line (EWL)

1982: MRT system officially approved (cost: ~S$5 billion).

1983: Construction begins.

7 Nov 1987: First 5 stations of the MRT open: Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh.

12 Dec 1987: Extended to Raffles Place.

1988:

EWL opens City Hall to Outram Park.

NSL extends Toa Payoh to Yishun.

1989: Expansion to Jurong East and Lakeside (EWL).

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1990s – Completion of Core Network + Introduction of LRT

NSL & EWL

1990: NSL reaches Marina Bay; EWL reaches Pasir Ris and Boon Lay.

1996: MRT reaches full Phase I completion. ~67 stations built.

LRT System

1996: LRT systems planned as MRT feeders.

1999:

6 Nov: Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) opens — Singapore's first LRT line.

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2000s – New Lines and Fully Underground MRT

North East Line (NEL)

20 June 2003: Opens from HarbourFront to Punggol.

Singapore’s first fully automated underground heavy rail line.

16 stations.

Operated by SBS Transit, unlike NSL/EWL (SMRT).

LRT Expansions

2003: Sengkang LRT (East Loop) opens.

2005: Punggol LRT (East Loop) opens.

2007: Sengkang West Loop opens partially.

2010: Full completion of Sengkang and Punggol LRTs.

Circle Line (CCL)

28 May 2009: CCL opens first stage: Bishan to Bartley.

17 April 2010: Stage 2 opens: Bartley to Dhoby Ghaut.

October 2011: Main circle (except final 3 stations) completed.

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2020s – TEL and Final Circle Line Preparations

Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)

Operated by SMRT, combines former Thomson Line + Eastern Region Line.

Stage 1 (3 stations)

31 Jan 2020: Woodlands North, Woodlands, Woodlands South open.

Stage 2 (6 stations)

28 Aug 2021: Opens from Springleaf to Caldecott.

Key stations: Upper Thomson, Bright Hill.

Stage 3 (11 stations)

13 Nov 2022: Opens from Caldecott to Gardens by the Bay.

Key stations: Orchard, Great World, Marina Bay.

Stage 4 (Under construction)

Extends TEL to East Coast (e.g. Tanjong Rhu, Siglap).

Expected: 2024–2025, though some delays have occurred.

TEL Length by 2024: 20 stations (Woodlands North → Gardens by the Bay).

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Circle Line Final Stage (CCL6)

Connects HarbourFront to Marina Bay (closing the circle).

Includes: Keppel, Cantonment, Prince Edward Road.

Construction began in 2017.

Not open yet as of end-2024; expected by 2026.

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1980s–1990s: Modernization and Expansion

1982: The government issued a second bus operating license to Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) to foster competition.

1984: SBS trialed its first air-conditioned buses on route 168.

1989: SBS made its first bulk order for air-conditioned buses, the Scania N113CRB.

1993: SBS introduced its first air-conditioned 12m double-decker bus, the Leyland Olympian 3-axle.

1996: TIBS acquired Singapore's first articulated bus, a 17.5-meter vehicle with a capacity of 150 passengers.

1999: SBS won the tender to operate the North East MRT line and the LRT systems in Sengkang and Punggol.

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2000s: Corporate Restructuring and Technological Advancements

2001: SBS was rebranded as SBS Transit to reflect its multi-modal transport operations.

2003: SBS Transit commenced operating the Sengkang LRT and North East MRT lines.

2005: SBS Transit began operating the Punggol LRT.

2006: SBS Transit introduced its first wheelchair-accessible bus, the Volvo B9TL.

2009: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) took on the role of central bus network planner, overseeing the bus contracting model.

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2010s: Bus Contracting Model and Fleet Modernization

2016: The government implemented the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), where LTA owns the bus assets and contracts operations to private operators.

2017: SBS Transit began operating the Seletar Bus Package under the BCM.

2018: SBS Transit retained the Bukit Merah Bus Package for its second term.

2019: SBS Transit introduced hybrid buses to its fleet.

2020: All public buses in Singapore became fully wheelchair-accessible.

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2020s: Electrification and Sustainability

2023: LTA launched a tender for 400 electric buses, awarding contracts to BYD and Zhongtong.

2024: The first batch of electric buses entered service.

2025: SBS Transit operates approximately 5,800 buses, with over 300 scheduled bus services and over 100 short-trip variants.