[SINGAPORE] The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded six contracts for 660 new electric buses, which will be progressively deployed for passenger service from end-2026, it said on Monday (Dec 15).
These contracts, collectively worth S$322.2 million, are for 360 single-deck and 300 double-deck buses from four companies. This marks LTA’s first large-scale purchase of double-deck buses.
ST Engineering Mobility Services, partnered with Chinese state-owned manufacturer CRRC, was awarded S$35.7 million for 100 single-deck buses and S$79 million for 150 double-deck buses.
BYD (Singapore) was contracted to provide 160 single-deck buses at S$71.3 million and S$50 double-deck buses at S$34.5 million.
Cycle & Carriage Automotive was awarded a contract sum of S$57.8 million for 100 double-deck buses.
Yutong International Trade-Yutong Bus Consortium was awarded S$43.9 million for 100 single-deck buses.
The buses will replace diesel buses that are reaching the end of their statutory lifespan, LTA said.
LTA also called for a tender last month to install electric vehicle charging systems in Mandai Bus Depot, as well as the future Kallang, Beauty World and Tampines North Integrated Transport Hubs to support the electrification of Singapore’s public bus fleet.
LTA is committed to having a “100 per cent cleaner energy” bus fleet by 2040. By 2030, half the public bus fleet is expected to be electric.
Tender process
Tender submissions were evaluated based on a “two-envelope process that considered both quality and price”.
“The price envelopes were only opened after the quality evaluation was completed,” said LTA. “This approach ensures that LTA awards contracts to tenderers with high-quality and value-for-money proposals.”
Criteria, such as the tenderer’s experience, track record, technical specifications of the proposed bus and compliance with local regulations, were factored into the quality evaluation.
The authority also considered the total life-cycle cost. It added that the contracts also include an option to procure up to 50 more electric buses if needed.
New features
LTA said the new buses will have improved battery technology and enhanced safety systems.
They will carry a passenger information display system providing real-time audio and visual updates to assist commuters with navigation.
They will also be equipped with safety systems to assist bus captains, such as on-board CCTV surveillance, collision warning and surround view functions. They will also have a driver anti-fatigue monitoring system and a camera mirror system.
New colour electronic display systems will be installed at the rear of each bus, to give surrounding road users clear visual signals of the bus captain’s intentions, including turning, stopping and moving off.
These features were recommended by the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce, LTA added.
The double-deck buses will have three doors and two staircases, allowing commuters on the upper deck to alight near the rear staircase, in turn making boarding and alighting smoother.
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