Evolution of public transport by

11 Apr 1971

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:10:41 UTC

The 11 existing bus companies reorganised into four entities: Amalgamated Bus Company, Associated Bus Services, United Bus Company, and STC.

https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-13/issue-3/oct-dec-2017/roadtonationalisation/

1 July 1973

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:11:37 UTC

Government announced the merger of three bus companies to form Singapore Bus Service (SBS) https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

May 1982

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:16:49 UTC

Government gave the go-ahead to build and completely finance the proposed $5 billion MRT system with the completion deadline set for 1992.

https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.html

October 1983

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:18:26 UTC

The Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) was incorporated before the ground breaking ceremony on 22 October 1983 at Shan Road.

https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

27 May 1985

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:20:26 UTC

The first tunnel breakthrough at Outram Park station.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

8 July 1986

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:23:22 UTC

First two Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 trains arrived Bishan Depot, able to hold 62 seated and 238 standing, and can carry up to 1800 passengers per train during peak hours.

27 November 1986

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:26:55 UTC

Last viaduct beam was launched.

https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

Early 1987

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:27:33 UTC

All 20 MRT stations from the first phase were structurally completed.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

7 November 1987

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:29:44 UTC

The first 5 stations of the North-South Line from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh opened for passenger service. It was then extended from Toa Payoh to Outram Park on 12 December 1987.

13 March 1988

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:32:09 UTC

Passenger service from Outram Park to Clementi commenced on 13 March 1988. By April 1988, MRT ridership rose to more than 200,000 passengers per day. (Photo showing Clementi station in 1988)

5 November 1988

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:35:12 UTC

MRT extended westwards to Lakeside, and northwards to Yishun on 20 December 1988.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

4 November 1989

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:36:36 UTC

Phase 2A completed, connecting Raffles Place to Marina Bay, and City Hall to Tanah Merah. Further extension on Phase 2A from Tanah Merah to Pasir Ris opened on 16 December 1989.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

10 March 1990

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:37:45 UTC

A branch line that extended off Jurong East station commenced service on 10 March 1990, servicing between Jurong East and Choa Chu Kang. (Photo showing Jurong East MRT)

6 July 1990

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:39:05 UTC

Line between Lakeside and Boon Lay opened, completing the initial system of the MRT comprising of 42 stations over a route length of 67km.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

1999

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:43:01 UTC

The Ministry for National Development decided to retrofit the MRT system for access, considering its aging population. (Photo showing retrofitted platform elevated stations) https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

2007

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:46:11 UTC

The first Enabling Masterplan was launched to empower PWD’s to live as “equal integral and contributing members of society.” Now, all public buses are wheelchair accessible, all MRT and LRT stations, all bus interchanges, and 98% of bus shelters are barrier-free, making transport easily accessible for everyone. https://livinglegacies.pluralartmag.com/2023/public-transportation-history-in-singapore/

1972

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:49:16 UTC

A team of consultants and professional officers seconded from the government and conducted the Singapore State and City Planning Department- a long term plan to guide Singapore’s physical development from the next 20 years, and forecasted and need for a rail system by 1992.

https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=319cadae-e684-41bc-b7b6-3bd4b06437d2

2006

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:52:19 UTC

The Automatic Vehicle Management System which uses satellite technology to locate buses and allow for easier communication between Bus Captains and the Operations Control Centre, made its debut.

NEL’s Buangkok Station was opened for passenger service.

Fifty additional wheelchair-accessible double deck buses were ordered.

https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

2009

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:52:57 UTC

The fourth air-conditioned bus interchange was opened at Boon Lay.

A temporary fare reduction of up to 20 cents and an increase in transfer rebate of up to 50 cents were implemented.

Quality of Service Standard were tightened with 80% of basic bus services and 90% of feeder services to arrive at a scheduled frequency of 10 minutes or less during peak hours.

https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

1974

foojiaying — 2025-04-29 15:56:28 UTC

Due SBS inheriting many problems from its Chinese predecessors, including use of 14 non-standard bus models that frequently broke down, poor standards among the staff and unsuitable infrastructure. The government then seconded a Government Team of Officials to SBS in 1974 to overhaul the management and culture. Appointed by then Minister for Communications Yong Nyuk Lin, a team − comprising of Wong Hung Khim, Yap Boon Keng, Ang Teck Leong, Yeo Seng Teck, Lo Wing Fai, Ong Chuan Tat and Mah Bow Tan − was seconded to SBS to oversee the transformation.

https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=319cadae-e684-41bc-b7b6-3bd4b06437d2

Early 1974

foojiaying — 2025-04-30 15:14:44 UTC

It was reported that 400 buses were out of service at any one time, and out of 1,450 buses in operation, an average of 800 buses would break down in a day. Essentially, the bus service was in shambles.

https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-13/issue-3/oct-dec-2017/roadtonationalisation/

1976

foojiaying — 2025-04-30 15:18:56 UTC

The government mobilised a team of trained mechanics from the Singapore Armed Forces to repair and maintain the company’s buses and equipment. The SAF team did such a good job that the number of breakdowns was reduced drastically, from 800 a day in 1974 to just 145 in 1976.

https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-13/issue-3/oct-dec-2017/roadtonationalisation/

2001, 2002

foojiaying — 2025-04-30 15:23:05 UTC

New stations like Expo and Changi Airport opened in 2001 and 2002 respectively.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

2001

foojiaying — 2025-04-30 15:24:44 UTC

The infill station Dover in opened in 2001 https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

2003

foojiaying — 2025-04-30 15:26:05 UTC

The opening of the North East Line (NEL) in 2003https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

1999

foojiaying — 2025-04-30 15:27:15 UTC

The Bukit Panjang LRT debuted in 1999.https://www.sgtrains.com/network-history.htm

2008

foojiaying — 2025-05-09 15:33:45 UTC

The Authorities launched the mandatory “Give Way to Buses Exiting Bus Bays” scheme to improve the travel experience for commuters.

The Public Transport Council’s Penalty Fee Regulation was implemented to deter fare evasion.

https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

2012

foojiaying — 2025-05-09 15:51:48 UTC

The Government’s $1.1 billion Bus Service Enhancement Programme, which funds 550 new buses on the road, was launched.

https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

2014

foojiaying — 2025-05-09 15:53:45 UTC

The Government announced the re-structure of the local public bus industry and the planned transition to a bus contracting model.https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

2019

foojiaying — 2025-05-09 15:56:01 UTC

The North East Line was honoured with the Ministry of Transport's Inaugural Challenge Shield for being the “Most reliable MRT Line”.

The North East Line's Catenary Eye and Overhead Catenary System Video Monitoring system clinched the top spot while the Downtown Line's Track Measurement Trolley was runner-up in the "Best Land Transport Operations and Maintenance Initiatives” category at the Land Transport Excellence Awards.https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/milestones

2024

foojiaying — 2025-05-09 15:59:44 UTC

Ridership on Singapore’s MRT and LRT lines surpassed pre-Covid-19 levels for the first time in 2024. On average, there were 3.41 million MRT rides each day in 2024, based on figures released by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Jan 31.

The average daily ridership on the LRT network in 2024 came to 210,000, an increase of 4 per cent over the 2023 figure. It was a touch above the 208,000 rides in 2019. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/mrt-lrt-ridership-surpasses-pre-covid-19-levels-for-first-time-in-2024