The Go-Ahead Group will almost double its presence in the Singapore bus market after gaining a new contract from the Land Transport Authority. It commences in summer 2026 and will see the business take up a five-year award to run bus services in Tampines.
The S$646 million contract can be extended for period of up to a further five years and captures 27 routes from the new multistorey East Coast bus depot. Around 400 vehicles, including over 250 zero-emission examples, cover that work. It is currently operated by SBS Transit from Bedok North depot.
In confirming the successful bidder, the Land Transport Authority says that large-scale use of battery-electric buses saw it place greater emphasis on the quality of submissions, particularly in the operation of those vehicles and maintenance capabilities.
Gaining a further contract builds upon Go-Ahead’s existing position in Singapore. It began in 2016 with a contract from Loyang depot. The additional award will grow the group’s operations there to over 2,000 staff and more than 800 vehicles.
Go-Ahead introduced the first zero-emission buses to Singapore on behalf of the Land Transport Authority. It has subsequently launched initiatives including solar panels on buses and was recently recognised as one of Singapore’s best employers by The Straits Times.
To leverage zero-emission bus operation in Singapore, Go-Ahead will lean on its existing expertise in that field across multiple markets to enhance service reliability, operational efficiency and sustainability, it says.
That will see the establishment of a Satellite Centre of Excellence in Singapore. The group already has a Zero Emission Centre of Excellence within the UK.
That in Singapore will “build experience in electric bus operations and maintenance for the industry,” Go-Ahead notes. “It will integrate artificial intelligence technologies into operations and maintenance to improve overall safety, energy efficiency and operational excellence.”
Speaking about the additional contract win, Go-Ahead CEO, Bus, Matt Carney says: “Next year marks 10 years since Go-Ahead began operating in Singapore, and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone by growing our business.
“As a leader in sustainable transport, we are 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.”
Adds Go-Ahead Singapore Managing Director Leonard Lee: “This is an exciting step forward for Go-Ahead Singapore. We are grateful to the Land Transport Authority for placing its confidence in us, and we 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 National Transport Workers Union to ensure a seamless transition for affected employees.”
