300 SBS Buses to Have Free Wi-Fi from Feb 2019; Going to CMPB is Going to be Shiok-er Liao

By
George Yang
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I know what you’re thinking: are price fares going to increase again?

For a start, public transport operators cannot suka suka increase their price, if not we’ll be having a $100 bus ride every morning. They can only recommend to the PTC (Public Transport Council), and it’s reviewed annually.

Of course, for this year’s review, there’s an increase but it’s the first increase in four years, so let’s complain about something else instead, like why the cai png in Bukit Batok Crescent doesn’t have scrambled eggs as a dish.

Now that you know, here’s the good news: come February 2019, 300 buses would be equipped with wifi connection.

And more might be coming because of competition. Read on and you’ll understand.

Bukit Merah Bus Package Provides Free Wi-Fi in 18 bus services

From February 2019, free Wi-Fi will be made available on board 300 buses which serve the 18 SBS Transit bus services that are part of the Bukit Merah Bus Package.

The 18 SBS Transit bus Services under the Bukit Merah Bus Package are 5, 16, 57, 93, 120, 121, 122, 123/123M, 131/131M, 145, 160, 170, 195, 198, 272, 273, 400 and 402.

So for NSmen who need to answer their charges in CMPB, you’ll have one good reason to explain your absence from your IPPT / RT.

“Sir, I deliberately miss my IPPT so that I take a bus here for the free Wi-Fi to answer the charges.”

“So is it good?”

“Goody, sir.”

“Okay good, I’m just going to give you a verbal warning for being so honest. When you take the bus back home later, use the Wi-Fi to log in to ns.sg and book your IPPT.”

“Yes, sir.”

More than just Wi-Fi

Other than the free Wi-Fi, Bukit Merah and HabourFront bus interchanges would also go high-tech from 18 November 2018: the two Bus Interchanges will be furnished with interactive touchscreen panels to provide convenient access to travel information

These panels will display comprehensive and user-friendly information such as bus services, bus departure times, bus routes and locality map. Commuters can also catch up on up-to-date information such as service extension hours, and even routes that are being diverted or delayed.

In addition, there will be dedicated television screens at the two Bus Interchanges displaying information on local community events and activities to engage residents in the neighbourhood.

And here’s the best-est part: the bus interchanges are equipped with mobile charging points for commuters to recharge their devices. On rainy days, commuters can borrow umbrellas for free for 24 hours via an app – the umbrella dispensers are located near the Passenger Service Office at these Bus Interchanges.

High-tech, indeed.

So, what’s this “Bukit Merah Bus Package”? Got Yishun Bus Package or not? Or Bukit Batok Bus Package? Where does the package comes from? Can eat one or not?

Bukit Merah Bus Package is Simply a Contract to Run Bus Services

By now, you should know that public buses in Singapore aren’t just about SBS Transit and SMRT – it’s now open for other companies to bid for contracts to run public buses.

And when they bid, they’ll, you know, promise what they’ll offer mah.

In April 2017, LTA called for tender for the Bukit Merah Bus Package which comprise 18 bus services. Our familiar SBS Transit and SMRT bided for it, and four other companies also bid for the contract: Go-Ahead Singapore, a Jiaoyun Group / Travel GSH joint venture, Shenzen Bus Group and Tower Transit Singapore.

SBS Transit, despite bidding at a higher price than some of the bidders, won the contract in February this year. Of course, back then we didn’t know that Wi-Fi is part of the deal lah.

But of course we’re not complaining.

So here’s something we learn: competition is indeed goody.

Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:

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George Yang
Email: [email protected]